I haven't just survived cancer three times

I was actually misdiagnosed initially, and it was only after a further six weeks that I was referred to a surgeon. In that time, it had spread to my lymph and lung.I had an orchidectomy and 12 weeks of chemotherapy to remove and destroy 30 tumours. The treatment was arduous, but I was fortunate that, due to my fitness levels, my body dealt with it well. Even luckier, the cancer responded to treatment.After a year of what could best be described as hedonistic living, I realised that I needed to treat my body better and I started exercising regularly and eating really well. However, in 2007 I relapsed with a rhabdomyosarcoma tumour in my chest that had grown to the size of a cricket ball.I required an LHS full lateral thoracotomy, which involves opening up the chest. Again, because of my strength and fitness, I was released from hospital in three days: normal recovery time is much longer. I was swimming and back in the gym as soon as the wound and my bones had healed.After this I wanted to prove that I would not be beaten by my cancer, so I embarked on a series of adventures and challenges that would push my body further and harder than ever before.In 2009 I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. At a little under 20,000ft, I stood there breathless but satisfied that, despite the aches and pains, I could still push myself to conquer mountains both literal and metaphorical.The following year, I organised and took part in a cycle ride from John O'Groats to Land's End, covering 900 miles in nine days through this beautiful country.After that, I wanted to raise the stakes. All my previous challenges had been as part of a team, but I now wanted to test myself on my own, so Ironman France seemed like the ideal opportunity. It involved a 2.4-mile sea swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a marathon back-to-back. It is my greatest achievement to date.Then, in 2013, I was diagnosed with a germ cell tumour in the lymph nodes behind my stomach. After surgery and the removal of that, plus 45 other lymph nodes, I was cancer-free again. I'd had this cancer in 2012 – which means I did the Ironman with it – but my body had kept it at bay.So what now?I have had to come to terms with the fact that I've had cancer three times and there is a chance that it will happen again. But I am determined not to live in a fear of it. Cancer is an unwanted tenant in my body, but I am doing all I can to stay positive and protect myself with healthy living, exercise and the right diet, which will, hopefully, help to ensure that I will able to throw it out again, if necessary.And the challenges continue. There is the Surrey half marathon next month and a half Ironman in Norway in July. If time and circumstances align, I would also love to cycle across America either later this year or at the beginning of 2015, to raise more money for research into cancer and to raise awareness of the importance of exercise.I am a firm believer that exercise, in any form, from a brisk walk to climbing a mountain, can have beneficial effects for people during and after treatment.Working with researchers at the University of Surrey and Reading and being exposed to the wealth of evidence out there, it is clear to me that the old adage "rest is best" no longer applies.As well as helping to increase aerobic fitness and reduce fatigue, exercise can also have psychological benefits, such as helping to reduce depression. There is also evidence to suggest that sufficient levels of exercise may also reduce the risk of recurrence in some cancers.As a keen golfer, I have drawn many parallels between the game and dealing with cancer. Most notably, it's unpredictable, but persistence pays off, technology helps – and a sense of humour really helps.My legacy will not be that I survived cancer three times, it will be that I thrived after having it and made the absolute most out of life.(theguardian.com)ANN.Az