Cyclist Ian Mitchelson, of Ripponden, was diagnosed with the disease in December – and his hobby may have saved his life.

The 36-year-old said: "Awareness of the early signs is critical – fortunately for me I found it very quickly because my symptoms were aggravated through all the cycling I was doing."

Now, he will help save the lives of others by raising money for Orchid Cancer – a male cancer charity that raises awareness and funds treatment.

He said: "To hear you have cancer is scary, but the information I got from Orchid let me know it was something you can recover from.

"It was incredibly reassuring – that's why I chose to support it."

He has already raised more than £6,000 towards his £10,000 target.

Ian was back on his bike by March after receiving initial treatment at Calderdale Royal Hospital, followed by chemotherapy at St James's Hospital, Leeds.

He said: "It's been fairly difficult to get back to the level I was at last year. It took me two or three months and I'm having to put in up to 20 hours a week. Luckily I have a very understanding wife!"

Ian's plight will draw inevitable comparisons to Lance Armstrong – the American cyclist who conquered the disease to win the Tour de France a record-breaking seven years in a row. But Ian said his real inspiration was his wife Suzanne, and his nine-year-old son, Oliver.

He said: "I chose to do the event to have something to work towards – so I could look forward to just enjoying life with Suzanne and Ollie."

Ian, sales director at envelope manufacture GNE, Leeds, said he wanted to thank his company for all its support.

To sponsor Ian, log onto www.bmycharity.com/V2/orchidcentcols