Age no barrier to testicular cancer
NICOLA’S WARNING TO PARENTS AS JAKE, 8, RECOVERS
THE mother of an eight-year-old boy who was diagnosed with testicular cancer has spoken out to make parents aware that the disease can affect young people too.
Jake Barksby was just six when mum Nicola noticed one of his testicles was larger than the other while bathing him in 2019.
In the long and “scary” months that followed his cancer diagnosis, Jake had a 5cm tumour removed and had months of chemotherapy.
Almost two years later Nicola, of Hucknall, says Jake had his last dose of chemotherapy in December 2019.
Doctors finally declared he was in remission just as the UK went into lockdown in March last year.
“He has chest X-rays and threemonthly check-ups now and that will last for the next five years,” Nicola, 36, said.
“His recovery has been really good. When he went into remission we went into Covid lockdown and Jake was classed as extremely vulnerable. So we have not been able to do as much as we would have liked because of Covid.
“One of the chemotherapy drugs has weakened his legs. We are waiting to find out if we can do physiotherapy. Other than that he is doing really well.”
April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month and Nicola is now working alongside PASIC, a charity based at the Queen’s Medical Centre which provides emotional, practical and financial support for families of children with cancer.
Together they are hoping to make it clear that testicular cancer can strike at any age.
Jake was diagnosed with a cancer called paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue tumour that usually occurs in the spermatic cord, testes and groin – but can appear in other areas such as the neck and can spread to the lymph nodes.
It affects fewer than 60 children in the UK every year.
Nicola added: “You do not hear of it in younger children.
“All the parents I have spoken to have said to me they would not think to check their children.
“PASIC supported us when he was diagnosed.
“We raised a lot of funds for the ward and donated Easter eggs and Christmas gifts.
“I just want to make parents aware that it is not just older males that can suffer. Check for any swelling or lumps or heavy or dull aches.
“Before this happened to Jake we would never have thought to check or look for cancer lumps.
“It is very curable if it is found early.”
Jake was given the go-ahead to return to school in September last year and is now making good progress.
PASIC chief executive Louise Towse added: “Jake’s story shows that, while rare, testicular cancer can, and does, affect young boys. Alongside Jake’s family we have also supported the family of a nine-monthold baby boy with testicular cancer. “Fortunately this type of cancer is very curable when identified early. “We would therefore urge all parents of boys to be testicular cancer
I just want to make parents aware. It is very curable if it is found early
Nicola Barksby
aware.
“We would also encourage parents to have frank and open discussions with slightly older sons to ensure young people know how to check themselves and seek medical advice for any abnormalities.”