Adjusting to Life After Cancer
- “Summer House” reality TV star Jesse Solomon, 31, doesn’t shy away from his status as a two-time testicular cancer survivor. He shared that while undergoing a check-up, tests prompted a cancer scare after finding “abnormal cells.” He’s still in remission.
- Solomon was first diagnosed with stage 1 testicular cancer in 2017 after experiencing slight pain in his testicles. He underwent surgery and additional treatment to reach remission.
- Testicular cancer begins in the cells that make sperm. Fortunately for men with this kind of cancer, “it can be cured, even if diagnosed at an advanced stage,” according to the National Cancer Institute.
- Testicular cancer often comes with stigma and shame for people diagnosed with the disease, sometimes preventing them from talking about it openly.
“Summer House” star Jesse Solomon, 31, is more than a reality TV heartthrob; he’s also a cancer survivor who’s shared his vulnerabilities with the public. Although he’s several years removed from his initial testicular cancer diagnosis, in the back of his mind, he worries if the cancer will return. While filming the reality TV show this season, that fear almost manifested when a check-up revealed abnormal cells.
Solomon’s cancer scare became the focus of discussion while speaking to the host of “The Other C Word” podcast.
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“I was like, I’ll get my five years (in remission) on the show,” Solomon added.
In an episode aired this past May, Solomon explained, “The doctor felt something, and I felt something separate,” E-News recounted.
“Both things were abnormal. We had to wait like two hours for the ultrasound. I’ll get the results soon enough, but hopefully, it’s fine. 50/50 shot,” Solomon explained.
While detailing the experience, Solomon admitted he wanted to be vulnerable and was scared.
“It’s super real,” he said emotionally.
The two-time cancer survivor said the cancer scare was symbolic of a sign from God.
“Be careful now; I can f—k your s—t up at any moment. I do appreciate life, so I wanna live,” Solomon said.
Solomon was first diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2017.
Testicular Cancer Resources
Solomon’s Cancer Journey and Concerns About Possible Recurrence
“Summer House” airs on Bravo TV and features people living in a mansion, often in a picturesque area. Solomon is one of the popular main characters in this season.
His cancer journey is now part of his ongoing storyline despite the bustling lifestyle he portrays on television and online.
Before his diagnosis, he first 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.
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“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.
His cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. 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.
Solomon 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 highly 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.
Dr. Edwin Posadas, the medical director of the Urologic Oncology Program at Cedars-Sinai Cancer, previously told SurvivorNet that 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.
“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. Posadas adds.
Men should regularly conduct self-exams of their testicles for anything unusual.
Testicular Cancer 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 possible symptom of advanced testicular cancer)
- Belly pain (a possible symptom of advanced testicular cancer)
- Headaches or confusion (a possible symptom of advanced testicular cancer)
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are facing testicular cancer and want to understand your diagnosis better, consider the following questions for your doctor.
- Has my testicular cancer spread beyond the testicle?
- What stage is my cancer in?
- What other tests should I expect as I continue learning more about the disease?
- What are my treatment options?
- What side effects should I expect with the recommended treatment?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
