Learning About Testicular Cancer & Finding Strength Through Family
- Alex Singleton, a 31-year-old Broncos linebacker, is wrapping up the season with a personal victory after making a remarkable return to the field just weeks after testicular cancer surgery. He credits his comeback to determination, family support, and his teammates’ encouragement.
- Symptoms of testicular cancer can be subtle. Some people may even mistake early symptoms, such as a small mass in their testicle, for 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 and 39 years, and it’s a disease that can usually be cured.
- Family support through life’s challenges, even cancer treatment, can make the world of a difference, whether it’s support from friends, family, spouses, children, or fellow cancer fighters in a support group.
The 6-foot-2 footballer returned to practice last week and played against the Washington Commanders over the weekend, less than a month after having testicular cancer removed. Having only missed one game, between the time of his diagnosis and returning to play, Singleton joyfully took part in the Broncos’ eventful 27-26 overtime win on Sunday.
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In celebration of her Nov. 11 birthday, Singleton shared some heartfelt photos of himself, his wife, and their son, writing, “Happy Birthday to the best wife in the world.
“The strength and love you have shown me [through] the hardest times is what makes me the luckiest guy in the world. I love you, baby.”
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Singleton, who also has two adorable dogs to offer him support, previously mentioned in a statement regarding his surgery that his wife stood by him throughout every step, calling her “truly the strongest person” he has ever known.
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He ultimately chose to share the news of his cancer diagnosis and surgery on November 10, in a statement shared on social media. He captioned an Instagram post, featuring photos of his statement, “I shared this news with our team this morning. I’m grateful for everyone’s support and can’t wait to get back on the field soon!”
In the statement, Singleton described himself as a “lucky man,” explaining, “I shared with my teammates and coaches that I underwent successful surgery for testicular cancer after being diagnosed last week.
“Thankfully, we believe the cancer was caught early with a great prognosis for me and my family. While we are still awaiting some additional test results, I fully expect to return to the field in the coming weeks.”
He explained how a few weeks prior to his diagnosis, a random test conducted through the NFL’s Drug Testing Program had revealed unusually high levels of the hormone hCG in his body.
Singleton continued, “Without a doubt, I knew with how diligent I am with what goes into my body that this was not from anything external I may have taken.
After speaking with my agent and wife, we decided to book an appointment with a urologist.”
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Prior to his surgery, Singleton met with his doctor, who detected indications of a testicular tumor, prompting him to contact the Broncos, ultimately referring him to another doctor for an immediate ultrasound. That ultrasound confirmed his diagnosis.
He underwent surgery to remove the tumor and acknowledged that sharing such personal news was challenging, but he hoped it might inspire others to prioritize their own health and get screened.
Family Love and Support Make a World of Difference During Cancer Treatment
Singleton explained further, “Early detection and regular screenings save lives and can save loved ones from a lot of grief.
“Heck, I have a wife, Sam, and daughter, Tallyn, along with an amazing family back in California. Not to mention, I’m a part of a great organization here with my Broncos family.”
He concluded, “There are so many people I’d like to thank for their support and immediate action to help over these few weeks. … More than anything, I really want to just thank everyone for their support and emphasize the importance of early detection and regular screenings.”
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Our hearts are full knowing that Singleton is recovering well from surgery and cherishing time with his loved ones, which brings his wife great joy as well.
She recently took to Instagram to share more family shots of her husband and their adorable daughter, born earlier this year, writing, “cup is filled.”
Fans praised them for being the “cutest family,” with one commenting, “Cutest mama & baby outfits.”
The Singletons married in June of this year, after getting engaged in July 2024.
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Support & Gratitude Through Cancer
Support through cancer treatment can make a world of difference, whether it’s support from friends, family, spouses, or fellow cancer fighters in a support group.
In an earlier interview, Cedars-Sinai’s Dr. Zuri Murrell shares the importance of gratitude and having a positive attitude through cancer.
Dr. Murrell says, “My patients who thrive, even with stage 4 cancer, from the time that they, about a month after they’re diagnosed, I kind of am pretty good at seeing who is going to be OK.”
“Now doesn’t that mean I’m good at saying that the cancer won’t grow.”
“But I’m pretty good at telling what kind of patient is going to still have this attitude and probably going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who, they have gratitude in life,” Dr. Murrell continues. Stay Positive, It Matters
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, with an injury. But when these signs are dismissed, the cancer can grow and become worse.
“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 that 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 cancer you had
- The type of treatment you received for it
- How long has it 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.
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. 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.
Cancer’s Impact on Male Fertility
Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can damage sperm in men, and hormone therapy can decrease sperm production, according to the National Cancer Institute. Radiation treatment can also lead to lower sperm count and testosterone levels, impacting fertility.
These possible side effects of cancer treatment should be discussed with your doctor before starting treatment. Men may have the option to store their sperm in a sperm bank before treatment to preserve their fertility.
This sperm can then be used later as part of in vitro fertilization (IVF), a procedure in which a woman’s egg is fertilized with sperm in a lab. The embryo is then transferred to a woman’s uterus to develop.
WATCH: Dr. Terri Woodard explains fertility preservation options patients have when going through cancer treatment.
Fertility struggles are also a genuine concern among cancer patients, as certain cancer treatments can cause infertility. Fortunately, in many cases, efforts can be made before beginning treatment to help preserve fertility.
Many couples, at one point or another, experience infertility. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says within the U.S., “about one in five” married women between the ages of 15 and 49 with no prior births are unable to get pregnant after trying for a year. Additionally, “one in four” of women in this group struggle to get pregnant or carry the pregnancy to term.
Infertility may affect many cancer patients undergoing treatment due to the impacts of cancer treatment on the body. Various cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation, can affect both men’s and women’s fertility. Before undergoing cancer treatment, patients should speak to their doctors about fertility preservation if they wish to have a family in the future.
The American Psychological Association said in its Monitor on Psychology Magazine, “A diagnosis of infertility–the inability to get pregnant after a year or more of trying–can lead to depression, anxiety, and other psychological problems, trigger feelings of shame and failure to live up to traditional gender expectations and strain relationships, say psychologists specializing in infertility.”
Among men, infertility can “cut into a man’s feelings of masculinity” and “can lead to issues of shame and embarrassment,” said psychologist William D. Petok.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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