‘It was sore when I took a hit in my groin. Next thing I knew I’d been diagnosed with cancer’
Northam battles back to make Edinburgh debut
EDINBURGH were handsome victors in Romania on Saturday, getting their European Challenge Cup campaign off to a perfect start, but the real winner was Alex Northam.
The very fact that Northam had set foot on a rugby pitch was a monumental triumph in itself; the climax of a personal battle to overcome the unimaginable terror of a life-threatening illness.
The Australian winger would have made his debut for Edinburgh much earlier than this 59-17 victory over Timisoara Saracens.
But, just days before he was due to fly to Scotland in the summer, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
‘I felt the problem initially when one of my team-mates hit me in the groin last year in France,’ Northam told the Sunday Times.
‘But I didn’t think much of it. I just thought: “I’m a rugby player, it’s normal for me to be a bit sore”.
‘I probably had the tumour there at the time and being hit was the thing that made me aware of it.
‘My mum and my girlfriend kept urging me to have it checked by a doctor.
‘Thankfully, they kept pushing me because, next thing I knew, I had been diagnosed with testicular cancer.
‘It was shocking news. My mum kept Googling it and scaring herself. I had to tell her to stop, but I’m so thankful to her and my girlfriend for pushing me because I was able to have it treated early.’
Within 48 hours of that initial diagnosis, Northam had undergone surgery in a Sydney hospital to remove the tumour and, by extension, to remove one of his testicles.
The 23-year-old then faced an anxious eight-day wait to find out if the operation had been a success.
Thankfully, doctors delivered the all-clear and informed him that, after a period of recuperation, he would be free to resume his rugby career.
Understandably, as a result of his recovery period, Northam missed all of Edinburgh’s pre-season schedule.
He sought to keep his late arrival the club as quiet as possible until he felt physically ready to play.
He finally felt the time was right ahead of this match in Romania, telling acting head coach Duncan Hodge that he wanted to be considered for selection.
Hodge handed him a starting berth and Northam duly repaid that faith by putting in a great shift, lasting the full 80 minutes. Although he didn’t score, Northam was a key figure in an Edinburgh back-line which ran riot against their opponents.
He will almost certainly retain his place in the squad for Edinburgh’s next Challenge Cup match against Harlequins at Murrayfield on Saturday and Northam, who will be required to undergo regular check-ups for the next five years, admits that he is loving being back among the action.
‘Edinburgh showed great faith in me and, from the moment I told them about my cancer, they have been incredibly supportive,’ he added. ‘They told me to take my time and to come over when I was ready.
‘A few of the Edinburgh boys did know why I was late coming across, but a few of them didn’t.
‘When they asked me, you could see their faces going: “Oh, that’s why. Ohhh”.
‘What I’ve experienced does make you think. Not be too cheesy about it, but you realise how fragile life is and how quickly it can be over.
‘It makes you definitely want to take your opportunities and grab them with both hands.’
Northam is making his testicular cancer battle public to send the message out there for men to have themselves checked.
He has taken inspiration from 2011 World Cup-winning All Black Aaron Cruden, who had a testicle removed at 19 because of cancer and went on to pick up his World Cup winners’ medal just three years later.
‘I want to get this story out there to help people understand that yes, it can be you, but you can also do something about it,’ said Northam.
‘My friends back home have said they have been much more aware of checking themselves since this happened and, hopefully, people here in Scotland can be encouraged to do it as well.’
Northam wasn’t the only player making his debut for Edinburgh in Romania, with flanker Viliame Mata marking his first game with two tries and the man-of-the-match award.
The big Fijian, who won an Olympic gold medal with their sevens team earlier this year, was one of many stand-out players for Edinburgh who ran in nine tries in the Dan Paltinisanu Stadium.
Hooker Stuart McInally and back-row forward Nasi Manu each bagged a hat-trick.
The other touchdown came from Michael Allen, with Jason Tovey putting over seven conversions for the visitors.
Edinburgh are now level with Harlequins at the top of Pool Five.