A GLASGOW dad left looking like he had been “bitten by a shark” after ignoring a lump on his leg for three years, is backing Teenage Cancer Trust’s #BestToCheck campaign.

The charity is warning young people could be “sitting on a ticking timebomb” by not reporting symptoms during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Trust fears young people may be inadvertently increasing their risk of dying due to delayed diagnosis. Every day in the UK, around seven young people aged between 13 and 24 are diagnosed with cancer.

Andrew McCabe, now 28, was 20 years old when he was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma.

“I had a lump on my leg for about three and a half years,” he explained. “It started quite small like a spot but by December 2016, it was the size of a sprout. I went to a GP and was referred to a dermatologist.

“They thought it was an ingrown hair, but they chopped the top off and sent it for a biopsy,” he said. “I got called back to Glasgow Royal Infirmary the next day and I was shocked and upset when he said it was cancer.

“I was scared that it was my time to go, but my son Lucas was three at the time and I knew I had to fight it for him. My main objective was to see him grow up, so my wee boy kept me going.”

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In February 2017, Andrew had surgery to remove a large section of his leg.

“Afterwards, it looked like a shark bite,” he said. “I was so self-conscious - I couldn’t bear to look at it. I got a tattoo with the silhouette of Gotham city and the spotlight, but instead of the bat symbol it says ‘there’s light at the end’.”

Andrew added: “I put off going to see the doctor and I wish I hadn’t. Things could have been so different had I got my symptoms checked out sooner, both in terms of the severity of the surgery and having to deal with the physical and emotional impact of my cancer.

“We’re all being told to stay at home to protect the NHS but coronavirus doesn’t stop people getting cancer. The NHS wants you to get symptoms checked out.”

Even before coronavirus, young people with suspected cancer symptoms told Teenage Cancer Trust they had to visit their GPs three times before they were referred to a specialist.

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Dr Louise Soanes, Director of Services at Teenage Cancer Trust said: “My message to all teenagers and young adults is simple. Don’t ignore any changes to your body.

“It can be worrying, but it’s important to get anything checked out. The health service is still very much open and wants to support you.”

Symptoms can include lumps, bumps or swellings, unexplained tiredness, mole changes, persistent pain and significant weight change.