Former Arsenal star speaks out about secret cancer diagnosis aged 25 | Football | Sport
Henri Lansbury spoke openly about his health. (Image: In The Mixer)
Former Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury has opened up on his battle with testicular cancer, which he was diagnosed with at the age of 25. The ex-Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest player chose to keep his condition a secret for several months before undergoing surgery.
Lansbury’s professional career began with the Gunners and after a string of loan spells he moved to the City Ground in 2012. His career later took him to Villa, Bristol City and Luton before hanging up his boots, but it was during his time at Forest that he discovered a lump while showering in 2016.
Despite this alarming discovery, the 35-year-old continued to play until he eventually confided in the club’s doctor and sought medical advice. He was subsequently diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery.
Since then, Lansbury has remained cancer-free and has become a vocal advocate for early detection. He first publicly shared his diagnosis in 2023 after keeping it under wraps for several years.
Now, he has shed new light on why he initially refrained from seeking medical attention.
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“Mentally I’m quite a strong person. I’m quite laid back as well so I was alright. It was just the two, three months before I actually told someone that were the most mentally draining,” Lansbury admitted, speaking on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet.
When questioned about why he delayed informing others about his condition, Lansbury responded: “I think it was a man thing, really. That’s what I put it down to. It’s that sort of, ‘Just get on with it.’ You think it’s just gonna go eventually, don’t you?”
Henri Lansbury with Kieran Gibbs, Cesc Fabregas, Johan Djourou, Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela of Arsenal. (Image: Getty)
Lansbury described his experience in detail, saying: “It was almost surreal. I’d never really heard of the word and it didn’t really affect me. But then I found a lump on my left testicle.
“I was playing football with it for like two, three months. It was only because I was going on holiday and it was playing on my mind, I was like, ‘I need to go and get this checked out.’
“I thought, ‘Well, I won’t tell the club. I’ll just go to a local hospital.’ I was at Forest and went down to a hospital and they said, ‘Oh, the waiting list is like two, three weeks.’
“I was like, ‘No, I can’t wait that long. I need to get it seen to. I’ll have to call the [club] doctor.’ Literally within 30 minutes they called me back, ‘Go here.’ Got it tested and left. They called me back again,’ Go and pack a bag. You’re going in for surgery tonight.’ I went back, my mum was at my house and she was like, ‘Where are you going?’
“I was like, ‘I’m just going to have my testicle taken out.’ I hadn’t told anyone. She was like, ‘What do you mean, what do you mean? !’ I said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be alright. I’ll be back in a bit.’ Literally went in that night, got on the gas and air and then in the morning. It was done.”
Lansbury still attends regular medical examinations, which occasionally cause him anxiety. He revealed: “It’s never come back but the worst bit is when you have to go for your check-ups. Waiting for your results… It was like every three months for two years and then six months after that. Now it’s yearly.”
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