As a student-athlete in my sophomore year at Bentley University, I was working out 6 days a week, was generally busy and certainly used to soreness and fatigue. When I started experiencing really low energy and motivation, I attributed it to a rigorous lacrosse preseason.
Two weeks passed, and I knew it was time to do something about these health changes. I talked to my parents and went immediately to see my primary care doctor. My parents, both cancer survivors, knew not to wait. The doctor decided to do a chest x-ray as a precautionary measure. That’s when the peach-sized tumor in my chest was found.
Surgery to remove the tumor revealed that I had stage I seminoma, a type of cancer that begins in male germ cells. Two months after surgery, I was back to playing lacrosse, and my six month scans came back all clear. Because my cancer was detected early, I was able to get right back to my active life.
I encourage everyone, especially young people, to pay attention to health changes, to know your normal, and to listen to your body. If you aren’t feeling well, don’t just brush it off. Early cancer detection can save your life.
Symptoms
- Unusually low energy
- Lack of motivation
