A LOVING and positive Basingstoke man who was diagnosed with testicular cancer has shared his incredible story and hopes to inspire others who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked out.
Alex George, 29, who lives in Oakridge with his wife Amy, had the shock of his life when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in May 2014 at the age of just 20.
Cancer of the testicle is one of the less common cancers and tends to mostly affect men between the ages of 15 and 49. Typical symptoms are a painless swelling or lump in one of the testicles, or any change in the shape or texture of the testicles.
Testicular cancer is a relatively rare type of cancer, accounting for just one per cent of all cancers that occur in men with around 2,300 men diagnosed each year in the UK.
READ MORE: Tadley mother given two years to live after brain tumour diagnosis
Alex told the Gazette that he noticed symptoms including having a 'feeling that a 25kg weight was between his legs', feeling tired and very anxious which came on quickly.
Alex said the whole process happened pretty quickly and by August 2014 he had started chemotherapy. In May 2014 he had a testicle removed but was soon told by doctors that cancer had spread to his stomach meaning he would need a second operation to remove his lymph.
He said the hardest part of the process was being told that he will not be able to have children.
He said: "You just don't expect that to happen to you, especially as I was just 20 at the time, it is just not something you think about. I had the test done again in January but I have still been told I can't have kids which is heartbreaking.
SEE MORE: Hartley Wintney man thanks air ambulance team who saved his life
"I met my wife Amy in Nottingham at a Teenager Cancer Trust event and that was a positive thing to come from all of this."
After routine checkups in 2019, Alex was given the all-clear, which he described as a "surreal moment".
He continued: "I just always tried to stay positive and live life with a smile on my face. We are all going to have days where we are going to be feeling horrible but we have got to try and keep a smile on our face and that is the same with having cancer."
READ ALSO: Mother 'proud' to have sculpture presented to Prince Edward
Alex, who described himself as a 'positive' and 'one of the loudest people you could meet' said a lot of his friends have since gone to the doctor to get checked out and that is his advice to other people.
He said: "If you feel something is not right just go to the doctors because if they check it early you might not need treatment or end up having to get one removed as I did.
"After that [getting the all clear] it was just all about trying to get back to being myself."
Alex and Amy got married eight months ago and are now living life to the full and treasuring all the little moments that mean a lot to them.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here