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Lyle Bauer was used to winning.
In his decade as a Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman, the 6-4 powerhouse helped his team capture three Grey Cup championships.
Later, as president and chief executive officer of the Bombers, Bauer's innovative strategies off the field helped lift the CFL team out of its $5-million debt.
Bauer was also used to being the tough guy. So in 2004, when the former Canadian Football League player had a severe sore throat that lingered for weeks, he ignored it.
"I was never one to go to the doctor. I hated going to the doctor. And as a former professional athlete, you never wanted to show weakness or anything along those lines," says Bauer, who finally ended up seeing his physician, who referred him to an ear, nose and throat specialist.
After weeks of investigations, he received his diagnosis: stage 4 throat cancer in the form of a six-centimetre tumour.
It was hidden deep inside the base of his tongue -- unseen and without symptoms until a severe sore throat developed and stuck around.
He wasn't a typical candidate for oral cancer: he never smoked or chewed tobacco and he was physically fit.
Bauer, 46 at the time, was shocked.