April is cancer prevention month and testicular cancer awareness month. According to the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), every 11 minutes in Quebec, someone is diagnosed with cancer, and every 26 minutes, someone dies from it. Alexandre Nobert, from Saint-Lazare, added to these statistics in October 2009, when he was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer of the left testicle at the age of 18.

The symptoms of his cancer began more than a year before. Alexandre, then 18 in 2006, had to rush to Lakeshore General Hospital, bent double in pain. "I kept telling myself: this is going to go away; nobody wants to go through this. How did it start? "At first, my testicle started to swell. I didn't do anything about it. It didn't change sexual relations or ejaculation; I didn't want to talk about it."

He continues: "After more than a year, the testicle had quadrupled in size in the scrotum, and my girlfriend at the time advised me to consult a doctor. I said, I will go.

"Shortly afterwards, I was at work, and the pain was so intense that I was bent over and couldn't stand up. Still, I drove myself to Lakeshore General Hospital in a truck I'd borrowed from work.

"After undergoing a battery of tests, I was diagnosed with stage 3 testicular cancer. Apparently, I was told it's common at a young age. The next day, I underwent surgery and had my left testicle removed".

Alexandre remembers his adventure as clearly as if it were yesterday. Testicular cancer generally affects very young men, between the ages of 15 and 35. It accounts for 1 to 2% of all male cancers, and its prognosis for cure is the highest of all cancers, at 97%.

The main factors likely to increase the risk of testicular cancer are the existence of a previous history of the disease:

- Cryptorchidism: babies and young children should be checked to ensure that their testicles are in place. If this is not the case, surgery is frequently performed. Cryptorchidism can, however, lead to infertility;
- A tumour on the other testicle.

Apart from that, unfortunately, you really need to consult a doctor as soon as a testicle becomes abnormally enlarged - something young men are often afraid to do, according to Alexandre.

That's why Alexandre Nobert is so insistent on prevention and the need to talk about it.

But let's continue with the young man's story.

After the 1st surgery, six months of chemotherapy

Following his operation, Alexandre learned that his cancer had spread from his lymph nodes to his intestines. He was therefore prescribed six months of chemotherapy.

"I was extremely ill because of the chemotherapy. I lost all my hair and the nausea from smells and food was terrible. It took me years to get over the discomfort from smells, especially coffee," he recalls.

"At one point, my specialist told me that the chemotherapy didn't seem to be working; I felt like giving up. I wanted to give up because it wasn't conclusive and I was so uncomfortable. My family lovingly told me: We'll never give up on you, but we don't want you to give up on us either. My family's solidarity has been so important in my journey," he recalls with emotion.

After chemotherapy, a major surgery

Chemotherapy didn't work.  "I had to be cut open from the bladder to the sternum to remove all the cancer, and the ejaculatory nerves were cut. Fortunately, the specialist suggested that I freeze some spermatozoa for future use, which I did. The operation was difficult. A nerve in my leg was trapped during the surgery and I was unable to walk for quite a while. I was living with my parents at the time".

Remission and recurrence

After this operation, Alexandre went into remission for a few years.

In August 2012, Alexandre experienced a recurrence. The tumor was benign, but he had to have his 2nd testicle removed. "It leaves a scrotum with nothing inside. However, even without ejaculation, the feeling of making love and the ability to reach orgasm are not affected," he explains.

There was another few weeks' convalescence and another remission.

The desire for a child

Alexandre's new partner is Claudia Aumais. She was present during his relapse.

Eventually, the time comes when the couple wishes to have a child. It's natural to turn to frozen sperm. The sperm was only 5% fertile, and the couple had access to six trials for assisted reproduction.

Two unsuccessful attempts, and $8,000 later, the couple are having serious discussions about whether to try a 3rd time. "We were $8,000 in the red, we had dipped into our wedding money of $12,000. We were crying. After talking it over, we opted for a 3rd try... which worked". As proud dad Victor points out, "Victor is a beautiful, healthy little man, now three years old, and he's a great mover and shaker".

The importance of loved ones

Alexandre often says, and insists: "Without the support of those close to me, I couldn't have done it. He tells the young men he meets: "Someone will always be there for you. As long as there's life, there's hope, he adds. "I don't dare imagine how people can cope if they're not well surrounded."

The Relais cause is therefore essential to him. "I want to be there to answer people's questions and give them hope. If just one person can be saved through me, I will have succeeded in my life mission," he declares with passion and enthusiasm.

"My maternal grandmother used to say: 'The things that happen to you in life are not always your fault, but how you get through them is always up to you' ", he concludes.

Alexandre is the Saint-Lazare Optimist Club's team leader for this year's Relay for Life. In 2023, his team was the largest in number to participate. Relay for Life 2024 will be held at Pincourt Olympic Park on June 8, from 3 p.m. to midnight. 

In closing, Néomédia asked Alexandre what he would say to a young person seeking his advice: "If you confide in me, I'll point you in the right direction. I won't judge you, and I won't tell anyone. I know what I'm talking about, because it's happened to me". 

Alexandre Nobert can be contacted through the Saint-Lazare Optimist Club, and will be available at the next Relay for Life event.