Learning About Testicular Cancer
- “Summer House” star Jesse Solomon, 31, who beat testicular cancer five years ago, has celebrated a milestone event of taking part in the 46th Annual Empire State Building Run-Up this month, raising money for the American Cancer Society.
- Solomon was first diagnosed with stage one testicular cancer in 2017 after experiencing slight pain in his testicles. He underwent surgery and additional treatment to reach remission.
- Symptoms of testicular cancer can be subtle. Some people may even confuse the early symptoms such as a small mass in their testicle as an injury. But when these signs are dismissed, the cancer can grow and become worse.
- Self examinations are incredibly important when it comes to screening for testicular cancer. Men aged 15 to 55 should perform a monthly self-examination to find any changes in the testes that might indicate cancer at an early stage.
- According to the National Cancer Institute, testicular cancer is often diagnosed in men between the ages of 20 to 39 years and it’s a disease that can usually be cured.
Solomon participated in the popular event, presented by Starbucks and powered by the Challenged Athletes Foundation, on October 09 in New York City with a group of his friends, and he took to social media to celebrate his accomplishment.
Read MoreHe captioned a recent Instagram post recapping the run, “My knee dominated the 1,576 stairs and we raised over $10k for @americancancersociety.View this post on Instagram
“Thank you to everyone who believed in us.”
The post’s main photo showed Solomon standing happily on top of the Empire State Building with the city skyline behind him, wearing a medal around his neck, his running bib, and his knee appearing to be in a brace.
One fan commented, “Holy cow!! Now that is the most impressive thing I have ever seen!! You are amazing!! You should make another cozy hoodie and let us donate a portion to you guys!! That is so impressive!!”
While another wrote, “What would @jessesols do!” This right here!! So cool.”
What You Need to Know About Survivorship
In an earlier post, revealing photos of the reality TV personality prepping for the big event, Solomon wrote, “Running up the @empirestatebldg October 9th to raise money for the American Cancer Society!
“Please consider donating to cancer research.”
Solomon was praised by Bravo’s official Instagram page in the comments as “unstoppable,” as well a “speed machine” the American Cancer Society, and s “the best” by a fans.
View this post on Instagram
The milestone event comes months after Solomon took to Instagram in May to express his gratitude and celebrate his five year cancerversary, writing, “Today we celebrate a slightly delayed but especially sweet five years cancer free.
“It wasn’t without DRAMMMAAA, but I’m incredibly grateful to my new friends who were there for me when I needed it most, as well as my producers at Truly Original who put my well being far ahead of the show. It meant more to my Mom and I than you will ever know. Thank you to my family and lifelong friends, I wouldn’t be here without you.
He continued, “To anyone who connected with my story, is going through treatment or knows someone going through treatment, I’m here with you.
“You are going to come out the other side of this better for it. That’s a Jesse Solomon guarantee. Love you all.”
View this post on Instagram
Solomon’s Cancer Journey and Concerns About Possible Recurrence
Solomon, who is one of the main characters on the reality TV show “Summer House,” which airs on Bravo TV and features people living in a mansion, was first diagnosed with stage 1 testicular cancer in 2017 after experiencing some pain in his testicles.
Prior to getting diagnosed, he felt a “twinge of pain” in his testicles. Although he initially thought it was a sexually transmitted disease (STD). However, after undergoing tests from his doctor, he learned more about what was happening.
“The doctor called me immediately and said, ‘You got to come back.’ He was like, ‘Hey, so listen, you have cancer. We don’t know for sure if you have cancer, but you’re going to have to get your testicle removed, and then we’ll know for sure,” Solomon explained to Men’s Health.
Solomon underwent surgery, which he described as “super painful,” but the procedure was successful. Afterward, he was told he didn’t need chemotherapy and that he would need to undergo regular scans a few times a year.
His recurring scans were often uneventful until one scan revealed a concerning trend.
“My blood markers came back elevated. [Solomon’s doctor] was like, ‘Yeah, you’re probably going to need either another surgery or radiation or chemo or a combination,” Solomon explained.
View this post on Instagram
His cancer had spread to his lymph nodes and he was told at the time that by undergoing a combination therapy for treatment, his chances of survival were “pretty high.”
“During chemo, I was fully bald. By the end of it, I was losing my eyebrows,” Solomon said and added he initially felt self-conscious without hair but grew to accept it.
During chemo, Solomon said he often felt sick. The fly and pneumonia further complicated his treatment. However, there was light at the end of the tunnel because the treatment was working.
The two-time cancer survivor remains in remission, but he’s admitted he gets nervous about the possibility of the cancer returning one day in the future.
Understanding Testicular Cancer
A testicular cancer diagnosis is rare, but it is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in young men. Depending on the stage, the disease is considered extremely treatable. Treatment options can include chemotherapy and radiation, but often the first line of treatment is surgery to remove the testicle which contains the cancerous cells.
Symptoms of testicular cancer can be subtle. Some people may even confuse the early symptoms such as a small mass in their testicle as an injury. But when these signs are dismissed, the cancer can grow and become worse.
Expert Resources On Testicular Cancer
- Dealing With the Shame That May Come With Testicular Cancer
- 5 Important Facts About Testicular Cancer, Including How to Screen for the Disease
- Testicular Cancer Can Manifest In Interesting Ways, Know The Signs Of This Rare Disease During Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
- Smoking Marijuana May Increase Testicular Cancer Risk: Study
- 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Was Diagnosed With Testicular Cancer
“It’s not uncommon to see men come in with masses on their scrotum and have inflammation of the scrotal wall; they develop pain as a result. A lump is the most common symptom of testicular cancer,” Dr. Edwin Posadas, the medical director of the Urologic Oncology Program at Cedars-Sinai Cancer, previously told SurvivorNet.
Dealing With the Shame That May Come With Testicular Cancer
Dr. Posadas says some men may even notice blood in their ejaculate as a result of testicular cancer. “This symptom is less common, but always bad,” he said.
Other symptoms can include:
- Breast growth or soreness
- Early puberty in boys
- Low back pain (a potential symptom of advanced testicular cancer)
- Shortness of breath, chest pain, or a cough (a potential symptom of advanced testicular cancer)
- Belly pain (a potential symptom of advanced testicular cancer)
- Headaches or confusion (a potential symptom of advanced testicular cancer)
Dr. Posadas urges young men to seek medical care if they are having symptoms. “Most men under the age of 40 tend not to think about seeing a doctor they need to know to advocate for themselves,” he said.
Screening for Testicular Cancer
Testicular self-examination is one way to screen for this disease, Dr. Posadas says.
“It takes less than a minute,” Dr. Posadas previously told SurvivorNet. “Rub testicles through your fingers looking for any sore areas. Rub the top of the testicle, particularly the delicate epididymis. (The epididymis is a tube at the back of the testicles which stores and carries sperm.)
“Don’t squeeze real hard on there. [You should] look for a smoother feel; if you feel a hard nodule on there, you may require blood work from a urologist. [Testicular cancer] is highly curable, even when it’s advanced.”
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Bradley McGregor, clinical director of the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, also emphasized the importance of self-examinations.
“It is recommended that men aged 15 to 55 perform a monthly self-examination to find any changes to help find the cancer at an early stage,” Dr. McGregor said. And if someone spots any of the early symptoms, “he should visit his doctor immediately.” It’s important to be aware of your body and get in touch with a doctor if you notice anything unusual.
Dr. McGregor continued, “Testicular cancer commonly occurs from ages 20-45, but it can occur at any age. The highest risk factor for testicular cancer is a history of cryptorchidism, an undescended testicle, where the testicle does not move down into the scrotum before birth.
“Men with a family history of testicular cancer are at increased risk as well. No lifestyle changes have been shown to definitively reduce the risk of testicular cancer.”
What Life May Look Like After Treatment
If patients have not experienced too many complications from their chemotherapy, “they are often able to go back to many of the same things that they did before they had their diagnosis of cancer and are able to live full and complete lives,” Dr. Michael Jain, medical oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.
If the cancer does return at some point, any future treatment you get will depend on:
- The type of lymphoma you had
- The type of treatment you received for it
- How long it has been since you finished your treatment
- Your overall health
Making a Survivorship Care Plan
So what comes after successful treatment? “At that point we often focus on the survivorship issues that they may have, preventing second cancers, and properly following them,” Dr. Jain explains.
A survivorship plan will include a schedule for follow-up exams and tests, plus a schedule for tests to check for any long-term health impacts from your cancer or treatment, and screening for any new cancers. (You’re at higher risk for cancers such as melanoma, lung cancer, and kidney cancer if you’ve had non-Hodgkin lymphoma).
Your doctor will likely tell you what to look out for in terms of side effects that could show up late or over the long term. Your care team will provide you with diet and physical activity recommendations as part of your survivorship plan.
Moving On From Treatment
It’s natural to feel continuing mental health effects, such as depression and anxiety, even after your treatment ends. This is where you can benefit from a supportive community. Look to strengthen your relationships with friends and family, faith groups, support groups, and mental health professionals to buoy you as you move on from treatment.
In addition to caring for their mental health, people who finish treatment and are in complete remission will want to move on from cancer with a physically healthy lifestyle, like Jesse Solomon is doing. Eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, staying at a healthy weight, and not smoking are all lifestyle practices that generally contribute to a healthy quality of life.
Indeed, cancer and its treatment might naturally point survivors in the direction of such practices. “Mostly [we’re] trying to maximize the quality of life that people have, because once you have a cancer diagnosis, I think it is an important time in someone’s life where they can take stock and really understand what’s important,” Dr. Jain adds.
There’s Life After Cancer
Sometimes it can be hard for cancer patients to see the light at the end of the tunnel especially after being hit with a diagnosis. However, SurvivorNet has shared thousands of stories from cancer warriors that prove everyday challenges tend to improve over time. With the support of loved ones that make up your support group, you too can find a way to navigate your emotions.
Your support group also helps motivate you while undergoing the rigors of cancer treatment. While every cancer warrior’s journey is unique, one thing is certain, you are more than your diagnosis.
Solomon and many other cancer survivors continue to demonstrate there’s life after cancer every day by focusing on what brings them joy, happiness, and gratitude.
WATCH: Living In Gratitude
Gratitude means being thankful for what you have and showing appreciation for it. It’s a mindset that helps people going through tough times, and the experts SurvivorNet spoke with encourage cancer warriors and their loved ones to practice gratitude.
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told SurvivorNet that his patients who live with gratitude tend to handle treatment better because this attitude is one way to stay mentally healthy.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
