Latest news with #testicularcancer
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Prostate Cancer Awareness: Inspiring Stories from Patients and Those Who Care for Them
A prostate cancer diagnosis can be scary and overwhelming — but a strong and steadfast network of support will help get patients through the darkest days. "I can't tell you how important it is to have people in your life where you can just say, 'I'm scared, I'm tired, I'm frustrated,' " says actor Colin Egglesfield in our latest PEOPLE Health cover story. "And for them to just give you a hug and say, 'I'm here for you'—it means the world." Egglesfield would know — the 53-year-old was declared in remission in February after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, his third bout with cancer. Elsewhere in our People Like Us condition center, from the editors of PEOPLE and Verywell Health, you'll hear stories from patients in all different stages of their prostate cancer journeys. Learn the truth about common misconceptions associated with the disease, the early warning signs, the best foods to have on hand, if you or someone you know has been newly diagnosed, and more. Egglesfield was first diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2006, then again a year later. So by the time he discovered his prostate cancer in 2023, he was well equipped mentally handle his diagnosis. 'I've learned to not react as emotionally as I used to, and to see it from a place of, 'Okay, what's necessary for me to be able to navigate this next challenge in my life?'" he says. He shares a raw and honest look at his experience and talks about the tips and practices that most aided in his recovery. A guide to prostate cancer. Cancer caregiving can be taxing in many ways, both physicially and emotionally, as well as on the caregiver's time and resources. Here's how to help prevent burnout. Joel and Caroline Graybeal became a powerful team in the face of his health news, prioritizing travel and their time together. "You can't give cancer the power to take your day away from you," says Joel. Freedom Singers founder Charles D. Neblett has found a new mission at 84: encouraging others to become more aware of the symptoms and dangers of prostate cancer. Plus, former Indianapolis Colts player Chris Scott openly shares his story after his late father kept his prostate cancer a secret. Cover star Colin Egglesfield leaned on his girlfriend Krista, his friend Will, his sister Kerry, his brother Sean—and "a lot of people I didn't even know" from social media—for support throughout his health challenges. Read the original article on People
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
My ‘smoker's cough' turned out to be testicular cancer in my lungs – then tests showed I was ‘PREGNANT'
ANTHONY Bianco was in his last year of university when he developed a "smoker's cough", despite never smoking. He would soon learn it was a sign of a type of testicular cancer which can appear elsewhere in the body, such as the chest. 4 4 What was most bizarre about the cancer, is it led top him testing positive for pregnancy on a test. The 51 year-old communications manager said he was 21 at the time and he'd been "burning the candle at both ends". He recalled: 'I had these recurring symptoms of getting a slight cough and a fever, but it would go away and I would think nothing of it. "However, the cough progressively got worse, becoming like a smoker's cough, even though I'm a non-smoker and have never smoked in my life.' While Anthony's doctor wasn't initially concerned, a history of pneumonia prompted an X-ray, which raised alarm for both patient and GP. 'He put the chest X-ray on the screen and then all I could see was this massive white cloud on my chest. And I'm thinking, 'Oh, s**t. I'm screwed,' because it was 11 by 15 centimetres,' he said. His doctor initially suspected lymphoma - a type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system and weakens the immune system. Anthony underwent surgery to remove a lymph node from his neck, but the results came back negative. A second operation was then carried out to biopsy the mass in his chest and the findings were startling. 'When I was called in for my diagnosis, the first thing they said to me was, 'You've got testicular cancer,'' Anthony recounts. This Morning's Dr Zoe does testicular cancer check live on show 'I started to panic because I'm thinking it's spread everywhere and I'm not going to make it. However, they did loads of scans and blood tests and they found that the cancer was only in my chest area.' An unusual test result Anthony was diagnosed with a primary mediastinal non-seminomatous germ cell tumour (PMNSGCT) - a rare type of cancer that develops from germ cells. These cells typically form tumours in the testicles or ovaries, but in rare cases, they can appear elsewhere in the body. This unusual placement is linked to how the body develops in the womb. As organs form, germ cells migrate to their final destinations, but occasionally, some are left behind in other areas. Years later, these misplaced cells can become cancerous, causing tumours to grow in unexpected places, like the chest. This type of tumour can also produce unusual test results, as was the case for Anthony, from Brisbane, Australia. 'The difference between this germ cell tumour and testicular cancer is that this particular tumour releases proteins that I shouldn't have,' he said. 'They're the same proteins that are released in the bloodstream when women are pregnant. "My blood results were showing up as positive on a pregnancy test like I was two weeks pregnant. My first response was, 'Is it mine?' I had to find humour to deal with the hand grenade that had just been thrown into my life.' While Anthony was able to see the funny side of his diagnosis, PMNSGCTs is a potentially deadly form of cancer, as it has a five-year survival rate of around 40 per cent. There were further risks as it was growing around his vital organs. 'It was wrapped around my heart and lungs to the point where it was interfering with my blood flow,' he revealed. 'Just before I was diagnosed, it had started pushing the veins against my chest so you could clearly see them appear in a spider-like pattern. That was the only sort of physical indication of it, as well as a swelling in my neck.' Cancer-free Treatment typically involves intensive chemotherapy to shrink the tumour, followed up by surgery to remove any remaining mass - a procedure that carries risks due to the tumour's proximity to vital organs. Anthony responded well to chemotherapy, and the tumour shrank so significantly that doctors couldn't tell whether it was still active, reduced to scar tissue, or gone entirely. After continued monitoring, he was deemed 'clear' in late 1995 and reached the milestone of five-years cancer-free in 2000. Now a father-of-two, Anthony recalls being conflicted over how the treatment could affect his fertility at the time of his diagnosis back in 1994. 'I did ask my doctor about the fertility question but that's not something you really deal with as a 21-year-old,' he recounted. 'He said it was possible I could be left infertile, but frankly at the time I just wanted to just get things going with treatment. I was trying to stay alive, and I didn't care. 4 'I got tested a couple of years later and it was fine. I've got two daughters, 11 and 14,' he continued. Having survived his ordeal, Anthony would love to see more awareness, funding and research directed at rare cancers, including the one he endured. 'There's no research directed at rare cancers, and you basically get the dregs of other research from other more common ones, which unfortunately leads to poor survival rates. If you have cancer as a young adult, you're a statistical outlier, and it's usually a rare one,' he explains. 'My doctor said I had a better chance of winning the lottery than getting this kind of cancer. And I checked. The lottery odds are one in 8.5 million and this cancer is one in 10 million, which annoys me because I still haven't won the lottery. 'But going through this changed a lot of my attitudes,' he added. 'While I've done a lot with my life, sometimes the voice in my head is asking, 'Are you doing enough?' I think the biggest mistake anyone could ever make is to think they have time because you have no idea when your time's up.' Germ cell testicular cancer MOST testicular cancers start in cells known as germ cells and are known as germ cell tumours. Germ cells in men produce sperm. The two main types are seminomas and non-seminomas - seminomas tend to grow and spread more slowly, whereas non-seminomas can be more aggressive. The most common symptom of germ cell testicular cancer is a painless lump or swelling in one testicle. Other symptoms can include a dull ache or pain, or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, and swelling or sudden fluid buildup. In some cases, the cancer can spread and cause symptoms like lower back pain, shortness of breath, or breast tenderness. Germ cell tumours have a high cure rate, especially with early detection and appropriate treatment. Treatment typically involves surgery and may also include chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
The Independent
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Charity boss runs Hadrian's Wall in scrotum suit to highlight testicular cancer
A charity boss has run the length of Hadrian's Wall dressed as a pair of testicles to raise awareness about the cancer which killed his brother. Toby Freeman, from Colchester, ran 90 miles from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria to North Shields, North Tyneside over just three days while wearing a large pink costume. The founder and chief executive of The Robin Cancer Trust ran more than a marathon a day to back the charity's Big Ballsy Challenge to raise funds and awareness of testicular cancer. Mr Freeman's brother Robin died aged just 24 in 2011 after he developed germ cell cancer which affects the testicles or the ovaries. After his feat of endurance which saw him startle livestock and get his testicle suit snagged on thorns, Mr Freeman said: 'It was the hardest and most enjoyable thing I've ever done. 'Physically, it pushed me to the limit. 'But mentally, it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. 'In the darkest moments, I thought of my brother Rob, and every single man out there facing testicular cancer, and that's what kept me going.' To donate to The Robin Cancer Trust or get involved in the Big Ballsy Challenge visit
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Runner takes on challenge dressed as testicles
A charity fundraiser has run 150km (90 miles) along the length of Hadrian's Wall dressed as a pair of testicles to try reducing the stigma around testicular cancer. Toby Freeman from Colchester is the founder of Robin Cancer Trust, a charity set up in memory of his older brother who died from testicular cancer in 2011. His latest challenge - part of a bid to run 500km (311 miles) in total - has seen him run coast to coast from Cumbria to Tyneside across three days dressed in his eye-catching costume. "It was absolutely incredible," said the 35-year-old. "Some of the livestock were a bit wary of the giant testicles, but we avoided them as we navigated through." Mr Freeman said the "big ballsy challenge" was intended to "break the stigma, reduce the embarrassment, and save lives" around testicular and ovarian cancers. "Testicular cancer took my brother, now I'm taking on marathons, ultramarathons, and Hadrian's Wall in a giant testicle costume to raise £240,000," he said. "I chose to do this, I'm able to do this - health is such a privilege and that's denied to so many. "There was this overwhelming gratitude for the support and the donations, all the conversations, but also what I'm able to do." "We need to take stock and be appreciative of what our bodies can do while we have the opportunity." As part of the challenge, he has already run marathons in London, Brighton, and completed the Great Manchester Run. He will continue in the coming weeks with the Thames Park Ultramarathon, culminating in the Big Ballsy Ultramarathon in November. Robin Cancer Trust, founded in 2012, has the aim of raising awareness of cancer symptoms at an early stage, and also educates and supports young people. On its website, it describes itself as "the UK's only testicular, ovarian and germ cell cancer charity". Cancer Research UK says germ cells are cells in the body that develop into sperm and eggs, and that germ cell tumours most often develop in the ovary or testicle because this is where most germ cells are. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Cancer conference held to get people talking Get to know your balls and prostate, urge cancer survivors Robin Cancer Trust
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Test Fest in Somerset 'a gathering point for cancer survivors'
A festival described by one organiser as "a gathering point for survivors" of cancer will return this Hoosiers and Woody Cook will headline Test Fest, which will take place at Taunton Rugby Football Club on Saturday 21 June to raise awareness of testicular event began in 2017 when Sue Brand, founder of charity It's in the Bag Cancer Support, said the charity found younger men preferred live music to charity Brand said: "What we want is for people to come to the festival and really enjoy themselves, learn a bit about testicular cancer, the charity and the work we do, and how we support people from Hereford right down to Truro." Ms Brand said a second stage is being introduced at Test Fest, where ticket holders often don bright orange underpants over their clothes."We turn away probably between 100 and 150 artists every year, so we've got a smaller stage this year for some acoustic bands but also some fantastic bands and artists that are up and coming," she artists billed to perform at the event include Break Beat Bandits, The Jamestown Brothers, and Whisky Brand said the festival was a place for people to meet and have a chat with others who have also lived with testicular cancer. "That's what the whole festival is about," she said."We started Test Fest because one of the guys who'd had testicular cancer said to me: 'Not everyone likes rugby and football... there's a lot of young guys that love music'."It's actually a really family friendly festival because most men who have testicular cancer are in their 30s.""Come and have a chat with us, listen to the music, have a cider - or two - and have a good time."
