Kyle Horner
Following diagnoses of both colon and testicular cancer, Kyle knows first-hand how important it is to listen to your body. The AM800 radio host and producer is sharing his experience to encourage others to pay attention to their health and lean on the support of their community.
No Stranger to Care
As someone who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the young age of four, Kyle was no stranger to long hospital stays, extensive testing, and treatment plans. Despite these challenges, he enjoyed a happy and healthy life.
Ten years ago, around his thirtieth birthday, Kyle began experiencing severe stomach pain. At first, he brushed off his concerns, cutting out gluten and making changes to his diet in hopes of easing his symptoms. But when he became too ill to enjoy his milestone birthday celebration, he knew it was time to seek medical advice. He visited his cystic fibrosis doctor in London to get some answers.
During a colonoscopy, Kyle woke up and swore he heard a doctor say the unthinkable: cancer. While waiting for his results, he shared what he had overheard with his family. His fears were confirmed when he was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer.
One Small Step for Man…
Kyle quickly began treatment at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre. However, the chemotherapy proved to be incredibly difficult for him when coupled with his cystic fibrosis. During this time, Kyle relied heavily on the support of his family and friends. Additionally, he vowed to always listen to what his body was telling him. With the care of his medical team, the encouragement of his loved ones, and his own determination, Kyle was on the mend.
After getting an all-clear from his care team in early 2018, Kyle began quarterly checkups. However, his second checkup revealed another tumour in his body, and a CT scan showed cancerous cells. The tumour was removed with surgery, and after a biopsy, he was diagnosed with seminoma, a type of testicular cancer. While the cancer was contained, so he did not have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation, Kyle had to face a new hurdle after the operation: gaining strength back in his legs to leave his hospital bed, which was difficult given the level of pain he was in. Thanks to his support system, he found the strength to take those steps when he needed it most.
Less than a year later, Kyle began experiencing severe back pain. After a visit to the doctor’s and a CT scan, Kyle learned that his seminoma was back, and this time, he would need chemotherapy to treat it. While he was initially concerned since he had intense side effects last time, his care team was able to adjust the mix so it would not affect his cystic fibrosis medication. Even with a case of shingles and pneumonia, Kyle’s four rounds of treatment proved successful, and he was cancer-free by the end of the year.
… One Giant Leap for Local Cancer Care
Despite the obstacles, Kyle has remained cancer-free for the past several years. He’s learned not to take anything for granted, even the small things, like taking a step. For him, the support of family and friends is everything. While it may be hard to ask for help, he knows there’s no shame in reaching out, and that the right people will stay by your side when it matters most. Most importantly, Kyle recognizes the importance of listening to your own body, even when the road to getting answers can be long.
Together, Let’s Grow On for Local Cancer Care
As a 2026 Grow On Windsor ambassador, Kyle is sharing his story as a reminder of the importance of listening to your body. This November, join Grow On Windsor to raise funds and awareness while supporting world-class cancer care close to home.
