Cody Eller
Hour 1
Testicular Cancer
Testicular Cancer affects men between the ages of 15-35. Testicular cancer can affect anyone at
anytime, from professionals like Lance Armstrong to one of my friends, Eric Tien. Testicular cancer is
cancer that forms in tissue one or both testicles, the cancer begins in germ cells and spread from there.
Every 1 in 25,000 males are diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. An estimated 8,400 new cases of
testicular cancer and 350 deaths occurred in 2010. The risk of a male diagnosed with Testicular Cancer
during their lifetime is 1 in 500. Treatments for the cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation
therapy, immunotherapy, and vaccine therapy. There are no proven methods to preventing Testicular
Cancer. Testicular Cancer is most common in Caucasian males, because white males have a higher risk of
getting it. The main signs and symptoms of Testicular Cancer are swelling, lumps, and pain in the groin
region, in some conditions pains in the abdomen which lead to nausea and vomiting. It is not fully
possible to tell on your own whether or not you have testicular cancer, if any signs or symptoms show
see your family doctor. Testicular Cancer is diagnosed by blood tests, ultrasounds and biopsys.
While this cancer is a common thing and happens to many males, there are organizations
helping to prevent this and helping with the patient and the family after the recovery. Organizations
such as LIVESTRONG, and Testicular Cancer Society. LIVESTRONG is an organization that Lance
Armstrong is apart of, this organization is a non profit organization that helps with patients of Testicular
Cancer. The main way LIVESTRONG raises money is through donations, programs and fundraising. In
2009, LIVESTRONG raised a total of $37,147,929 towards Testicular Cancer which all goes toward
activities such as Grassroots Fundraising Events, which consists of fun runs, walks, bicycle races, silent
auctions and other organized events to help raise money and raise awareness of Testicular Cancer.
LIVESTRONG doesn’t just raise awareness about Testicular Cancer; they help all patients of cancer of any
type. “We fight to improve the lives of people affected by cancer,” that is what LIVESTRONG does, help
people who have been affected by cancer, along with the Lance Armstrong Foundation which focuses
specifically with patients with Testicular Cancer. A good way to give to LIVESTRONG other than a
donation is to participate in their activities that they have like the fun runs. Testicular Cancer Society is a
non-profit organization dedicated to raise awareness for the most common form of cancer in men age
15-35. We are dedicated to increasing awareness and education about the cancer and providing services
to survivors and caregivers. Testicular Cancer Society, like LIVESTRONG accepts donations which is the
main way they make the money to give toward helping with the issue. Cancer organizations fight to
improve the lives of families affected by cancer after the issue is taken care of. They supply them with
things such as money, and cover insurance for their surgeries and medications that are needed. After
the recovery from the cancer, regular follow ups are needed to help prevent the cancer from coming
back, just because it is cured doesn’t mean it’s gone for good.
Famous men affected by Testicular Cancer include; Lance Armstrong, Tour de France Winner.
Phil Kessel, professional hockey player for Toronto Maple Leafs and Tom Green, a comedian. Testicular
Cancer affects anyone, no specific person. A case of Testicular Cancer close to me is a good long time
friend, Eric Tien. Eric was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer in late 2009, only 15 years old and facing a
serious disease. Eric overcame the sickness and I had the pleasure to play my final year of high school
hockey with him on the team. Eric’s story affected many people around the community and even farther
than the community around the state.
People who become diagnosed with cancer of any kind, face a day to day struggle with life and
death. Everyday as you are in the hospital wondering when all this will be over wondering whether you
will live or die, makes it the biggest struggle of your life. But when you survive and recover it makes life
that much more special for you. You look from a new perspective and live day by day.
If you would like to help donate or participate with Testicular Cancer, or cancer in general, lease
go to www.LIVESTRONG.org, every donation makes a difference.