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- When Hugo Toovey, 32, from Sydney, NSW, noticed a pea-sized lump on his right testicle, he assumed it was nothing to worry about.
- Six months later, Hugo was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
- Now, through his charity 25 Stay Alive, Hugo is using his cancer journey to encourage others to get things checked.
Here Hugo tells his story in his own words.
Stepping out of the shower, I reached for my towel.
As I dried the water off my body, I noticed a small pea-sized lump on my right testicle.
That’s weird, I thought.
Aged 21, I’d been training with the Australian Army in Canberra for three and a half years.
The fittest and healthiest I’d ever been, I assumed the lump was nothing to worry about.
When it still hadn’t disappeared within a few months, though, I grew more concerned.
Researching my symptoms online, I was convinced it was just a cyst that would go away on its own.
Before I knew it, six months had passed and, while the lump hadn’t changed in size or appearance, it was still very much there.
When I rang my dad, Simon, then 51, for his birthday, I worked up the courage to ask for his advice.
‘What do you reckon it is?’ I asked.
‘Mate, you need to go to your doctor,’ he encouraged.
Taking Dad’s advice, I booked in to see my GP the very next day.
‘It’s probably nothing to worry about, but let’s do an ultrasound to make sure,’ he said.
Back home a few hours later, my doctor called.
‘I’m afraid you’ve got testicular cancer,’ he said.
‘Cancer? Are you sure?’ I asked in disbelief.
A CT scan the next day showed that the cancer had already spread to the lymph nodes in my abdomen, which meant I was in for a long journey of treatment and recovery.
I called Dad and my mum Salli, then 47, to break the news.
‘We are always here for you. We love you,’ they said, before Dad hopped on the next plane from Adelaide to be with me.
I was grateful to have him by my side when I met my oncologist, who told me I’d need to have my testicle removed, then four months of chemo.
It also meant I’d need to have my sperm frozen to improve my chances at having a family in the future.
Just days later, I was wheeled into theatre, where the surgeon replaced my cancerous testicle with a prosthetic made from silicone.
I’d been able to choose the prosthetic.
The surgeon said some guys opted for a bigger size, I was happy to have one matching the real thing.
Prior to starting chemo, my twin brother Max shaved my head, so I wouldn’t have to go through the anguish of losing my hair.
Having Max there made the process that little bit easier.
In April 2014, a scan revealed the chemo hadn’t been successful in ridding me of the cancer, so I underwent another major op to have my abdominal lymph nodes removed.
Coming to in the ICU, the surgeon gave me the great news that I was cancer free.
I was so grateful.
Four months later at a bar with friends, I met Amber, then 20, a paediatric nurse.
I confided in her about my cancer journey, and it was so nice to talk to someone who understood. Soon we were inseparable.
When I was promoted to Captain at the end of 2017, it was a huge milestone.
I was fit, healthy and very happy.
Amber and I relocated to Brisbane with our labradoodle Ernie and husky Iggy and life seemed good.
When I went for my five year scan, I got the all clear.
‘You’re in complete remission,’ my oncologist cheered.
But just three months later, aged 26, I was thrown another curve ball.
Noticing an increase in the frequency and urgency of how often I needed the toilet, I’d asked my GP for a colonoscopy.
I also felt more tired than usual despite no changes to my diet or sleep routine.
While my symptoms weren’t overly concerning, testicular cancer had taught me not to put off getting checked.
‘I’m so sorry to say, but you have bowel cancer,’ my gastroenterologist said gently.
The only silver lining was that I’d caught it in the early stages.
‘Having testicular cancer may have just saved your life,’ my gastroenterologist said, as Amber and I sat in his office.
He explained that early detection was crucial for effective treatment.
I was glad I’d given myself a fighting chance, but as I walked out with Amber’s hand in mine, I broke down.
‘I just got my life back. This is so unfair,’ I sobbed.
‘We’re going to get through this together,’ she vowed.
Two days later, the surgeon removed 80 per cent of my colon, which was riddled with cancer.
And when six months of immunotherapy didn’t work, I had further surgery to remove the rest of my colon and rectum.
I was fitted with an ileostomy bag for the next eight months, before doctors were able to reverse the procedure.
After surgery, I was declared cancer free again.
After that I had a number of complications, including being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, while a bowel obstruction meant I also had to have part of my small bowel removed.
On my 30th birthday in October 2021, I proposed to Amber.
We married the following November and, after eight months of trying, fell pregnant with our first baby.
Our son Teddy arrived in March this year.
Now, through my charity 25 Stay Alive, I’m using my cancer journey to implore others, especially young people, to not take their health for granted and get things checked.
Although you might feel uneasy talking about medical issues, I encourage everyone not to wait until it’s too late!
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