Sum 41's Dave Baksh was his 'own worst enemy' after his testicular cancer diagnosis
Sum 41's Dave Baksh recalls feeling the crushing weight of thinking he'd lose everything in his life after his cancer diagnosis. For someone so rooted in his community, receiving the dreaded news about his health was a fear that ultimately led to a breaking point.
"It was at that moment that I took a second to put my head above water and realize that I'm surrounded by a very, very high amount of positivity and good people," the lead guitarist of the long-running pop-punk band from Ajax, Ont., shared. "That was the moment where I was like, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa. I could lose all of this.' I definitely broke down, cried and quickly tried to remind myself ... 'stay positive.'"
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
Back in early 2022, Baksh was gearing up for a co-headlining tour with his bandmates and fellow Canadian artists Simple Plan. Hitting the road with his friends was an exciting project at the time, after the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the "In Too Deep" hitmakers from touring for two years.
But that February, the then-41-year-old musician found a lump on his testicle that was presenting differently than something like a cyst or lump of fat. He recalled it appearing that one day and then disappearing the next in a "day on, day off" pattern. That was until it reappeared for a couple of days in a row, which made him suspicious and led him to call his family doctor in Whitby, Ont.
Within a week, he met with Oshawa, Ont.-based urologist Dr. Arun Mathur and immediately talked about booking a surgery. "I think just hearing 'cancer' is an alarming thing," Baksh added. "But the doctor was really, really quick to reassure me that, essentially to quote him, 'This is winning the lottery as far as cancers go.'"
Luckily, Baksh said his journey with testicular cancer was "really quick" and he emphasized how he had no discomfort about discussing his health with his medical professionals. Chemotherapy was also not required since his testicle was being removed; surgeons couldn't try removing the tumour at the risk of cutting it and allowing the cancer to spread in his system.
"The only alarming thing that happened during this whole process was that, as I was about to go to sleep for the operation, I heard the anesthesiologist was a big fan, so I was like, 'Oh my God, I've got no bottoms on,'" Baksh, now 44, joked.
Despite being surrounded by a circle of loved ones and having a relatively fast cancer experience, there were still moments for Baksh that weren't as seemingly easy going. Internal struggles came in the midst of his diagnosis, where he began running laps around unanswerable questions like "what did I do wrong?" and "what did I do to contribute to this?"
I was my own worst enemy upon the diagnosis.Dave Baksh of Sum 41
Those intrusive thoughts would strike a chord at various points throughout his day, from leaving a medical appointment to lying in bed at night with his fiancée, Kendra. He'd ponder over the sole idea of having the disease, and worried about falling in the small percentage of people who unfortunately don't survive testicular cancer.
"The emotions that went through me at that moment were similar to accepting death in other situations that I've been in in my entire life," he noted. "It's not an easy thing to go through, but I do think that emotionally, I came out stronger because of it."
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, survival varies depending on the stage of testicular cancer, but the earlier it's diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome. In Canada, it's estimated that 1,300 men were diagnosed with testicular cancer last year, with roughly 30 dying from the disease. However, it's believed around 97 per cent of people who receive a testicular diagnosis will survive for at least five years.
Baksh's diagnosis also came on the heels of his mother going through her own experience with cancer. Around eight months prior to his health news, his mom learned she had been living with breast cancer. "I was more scared for my mom than anything else."
At the time, his mother was set to repatriate back to Guyana to be with his father, but her diagnosis forced the delay of those plans. In late 2021, she received the news she was cancer-free and "couldn't book her ticket fast enough" back home, Baksh shared.
"It was kind of scary thinking about the prospect of losing my mom to something that was out of our control. It scared me a lot for her," he recalled. "But the same way she sprung to my aid when I was diagnosed, I think the same thing just happened to me. We're a family of nurturing people."
That sense of care and love for other people — even those who are strangers — is seemingly at Baksh's core of being human. Then, seeing that support reflected back towards him essentially acts as fuel to help Baksh thrive.
"Through my ability to lean on my friends and just get that emotional support of 'whatever you need, whatever can do, we got you,' and then to have something as big as the Canadian Cancer Society do the same thing for me. For a person like me, that's important, because I come from not only a career that relies on community but I'm also a person that thrives on community," he noted.
Connecting with community and supporting others was a key part of his experience while participating in Relay For Life, an annual Canadian Cancer Society fundraising event that he and his partner plan to attend again this June in downtown Toronto. Baksh first took part the summer after his diagnosis in 2022, and walking the victory lap amongst other cancer survivors was a moment he recalled as being powerful.
"We got to walk around the track and experience that same type of feeling through community from people we don't even know. Just walking around the track being clapped for — it was really moving. ... To be there in support of people in remission, cancer-free, surviving, it was a very special moment and something that I'll remember," Baksh shared,
Cancer is something that half of the people in Canada are expected to be diagnosed with — this is wild to me. ... I'm glad to be part of helping.Dave Baksh of Sum 41
When the Canadian Cancer Society reached out to Baksh asking him to share his story back around the time of his diagnosis in 2022, he remembered feeling a bit of guilt because he didn't necessarily experience any hardship. "I had a little bit of imposter syndrome at first, but I think because my story was over so quickly, I think it was important to get it out there."
After hearing from the organization, he realized this was his chance to do something that could benefit someone experiencing a similar situation. "I was like, 'Yeah, I could probably do something positive for people going through the same diagnosis I went through,'" he said, urging anyone with testicles to regularly check themselves to ensure they're fine. "Just go take care of it — just go."
Baksh reflected on the prominence of cancer in Canada, where it's estimated nearly one in two Canadians are expected to hear the words "you have cancer" in their lifetime. He said he's glad an organization like the Canadian Cancer Society exists for people surviving the disease.
April is also Daffodil Month, which is the organization's initiative — using the flower as a symbol of hope — to raise funds, awareness and support for people impacted by cancer. Baksh urged people to recognize the importance of uplifting charities like the Canadian Cancer Society: "This is a society that is changing cancer and has changed the lives of people dealing with cancer."
Additionally, he hopes one of the messages people take away is that there's no use shying away from seeking a health-care provider's help when necessary.
"It is so much easier and better to do in person, especially if we're talking about finding a lump somewhere or not feeling right," he said. "It's important and it's up to you to get diagnosed and to be preventative. Otherwise, you may be sitting with something in your body that could eventually kill you — and that's not worth it for you or the people around you that love you."
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