Soccer Star Hits Pause Until After Testicular Cancer Surgery
- Sebastian Haller, 28, plays as a striker for Borussia Dortmund, but is forced to sit on the sidelines as he undergoes surgery to remove a testicular tumour.
- The young soccer star has already undergone surgery and chemotherapy for his illness, but recently announced the need for a second surgery.
- Testicular cancer symptoms can be subtle and a small mass in the testicle can even be confused 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.
“I'm lucky enough to have three children already, I'm married and have achieved some things in football; there are people a lot worse off than me,” he told the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), in an update on his health last month.
“I don't have much left to prove at my age, but this cancer affects young people, people who may not have found love yet, who don't have children, who are trying to understand who they are mentally and physically speaking, who are building a life for themselves. It can stop those people in their tracks,” he continued.
Haller’s Testicular Cancer Diagnosis
Haller joined Borussia Dortmund from Ajax in July and discovered the tumour during pre-season training camp, according to UEFA.
“It started, from what I can remember, with a pain in my stomach while I was away with the Ivorian team on 31 May. I took medicine for three or four days and it went away, but then I started feeling like I had the flu straight after, so I spent my entire time with the national team feeling ill,” said Haller in the UEFA article. “I felt better once I got back home, but since it first happened, I could feel a little niggle slightly below my stomach, behind my abdominals. It was annoying, but it wasn’t really painful, I suffered from indigestion at times, and I felt bloated.”
Haller would try to continue to play, but his abdominal pain kept him persisting. He would get scans and ultimately an MRI scan which discovered the tumour. Further testing and advisement from a urologist revealed it was testicular cancer. From there it was go, go, go, said Haller.
“The first thing that came to my mind was: this treatment and getting back in shape are going to take some time. There are also things I will need to be good at and with which I will have to deal in the right way. I think nutrition and training are very important to stay physically and mentally healthy,” he said.
Haller underwent four sessions of chemotherapy treatment and had surgery in late July, according to Sports Illustrated.
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.
RELATED: 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.
"Testicular cancer commonly occurs from ages 20-45, but it can occur at any age," Dr. McGregor continued. "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."
Men Dismiss Symptoms Too Often
Men tend to ignore doctor visits for as long as possible. But if your body feels off or you feel that something might be wrong, it never hurts to talk to a doctor.
This was the case for testicular cancer survivor Todd Rosenbluth, who was one of those guys who avoided the doctor at all costs. He led a healthy lifestyle, so he reasoned with himself that a routine check-up wasn't really necessary. It was Rosenbluth's wife who pushed him to schedule a visit, and it ended up being be the best decision he could have made. Now, he's an advocate for early detection.
"My wife definitely saved my life," Rosenbluth previously told SurvivorNet. "Luckily when I caught the testicular cancer it was so early that I'm totally fine to this day, and it's because of her. Testicular cancer is 99% curable if it's caught early enough. The only way to catch it is self exam or go to the doctor. If you're worried don't be ashamed, guys. Go to the doctor."
With assistance from Danielle Cinone
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