Nic opening up to his on-screen wife Cyrell about his battle with testicular cancer four years ago was one of the most emotional moments on this season of Married At First Sight.
At just 24, the electrician was forced to undergo surgery on his stomach to have a tumour removed. As a result, he had to face the fact he would no longer be able to have kids without IVF.
Nic never imagined, however, that just months after filming wrapped on the hit series, he’d be forced to stare the disease in the face once again.
MAFS participant Nic reveals his cancer returned a second time (Image: Supplied).
Yep, Nic discovered a lump on one of his testicles – and the doctor confirmed his cancer was back.
“I just thought, ‘Surely not?'” Nic, 28, tells TV WEEK. “I was having a shower at Christmas and found a little lump on my testicle. I didn’t want to take any risks – especially after what I’d been through already – so I booked in and was referred to a specialist.”
The specialist confirmed Nic’s lump was cancerous. And in February – days after the show’s reunion episodes were filmed – Nic underwent surgery to remove the testicle. Since then he’s had two rounds of chemotherapy.
“I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone,” he says. “It’s exhausting. You don’t want to get it once – let alone twice.
“But there’s always somebody worse off out there. If I can help and get one person to go and get checked and save their life, then job done.”
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“It’s exhausting,” Nic says of his chemotherapy (Image: Supplied).
Nic admits it’s been tough dealing with the controversy that comes with the show while in recovery, particularly the very public fallout with Cyrell.
“I know whatever I’m going through has nothing to do with our relationship and the show, but it’s disappointing,” he says.
“I’ve got enough to deal with. After chemo, I was exhausted; my body was shutting down. It was just crap. And I’ve had to deal with her and try to keep her calm. But what do you do?”
Nic previously underwent chemotherapy four years ago (Image: Supplied).
Fortunately, Nic is now in remission and no longer requires chemotherapy. But he’ll face a new challenge – telling future partners he has one testicle, as he admits he’s not interested in any form of cosmetic surgery.
“I never considered an implant,” he says, insisting it’s “not really noticeable that there’s just one teste in there”.
“This is a sign of me beating cancer again – just like a battle scar. It’s another reason to be proud.
“It was awkward already having to talk about the ejaculation thing,” he adds of not being able to release sperm. “But I am who I am. Like it or lump it I guess!”
READ NEXT: Which Married At Fist Sight couples are still together?
Nic is in remission after two rounds of chemotherapy (Image: Supplied).
April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month and urges men to get “friendly with your testes”. The Movember Foundation aims to halve the number of men dying from testicular cancer by 2030. To make a donation, visit movember.com
