My Testicular Cancer Has Spread
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- This video was made the day I found out that my testicular cancer had spread to my lymph nodes, back in November 2016. I knew I would need chemo.
There are over 9,000 new cases of testicular cancer every year, averaging one new diagnosis every hour of every day. One in 250 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer at some point in their life, with 50% of these cases occurring in men ages 15-35. About 6% of cases occur in children and teens, and about 8% occur in men over the age of 55.
90% of the time, testicular cancer presents as a lump in the testicle. A lump in the testicle can be detected early through regular self-exams. Best done during or after a shower when the scrotum is relaxed, place your index and middle fingers under the testicle with your thumb on top. Firmly but gently, roll each testicle between your fingers. Any weird lumps or bumps should be checked out by a doctor ASAP.
According to a 2018 study done by CACTI, more than 1 in 3 of all men polled have never been told about the importance of a monthly testicular self- exam. Nearly half of those surveyed do not perform testicular self-exams. 42% of men don’t even know how to perform one, according to the Testicular Cancer Society.
Despite all of these facts and figures, testicular cancer is not talked about enough in society. My hopes are that sharing my story from beginning to end with an open attitude will stimulate more open discussion and bring a larger focus to men’s health in general. Knowing someone who is going through testicular cancer can help make it more real to men who might not otherwise be concerned about their own health. I put my face where their balls are (which is a somewhat awkward turn of phrase).
The title, A Ballsy Sense of Tumor, is purposefully chosen to convey this mission is all about testicular cancer and that I talk about it in as positively and with as much humor as you can use when discussing cancer. While cancer is no laughing matter, my method is to approach it with humor, awareness, and positivity.
A Ballsy Sense of Tumor was founded by Justin Birckbichler, a men’s health activist, testicular cancer survivor, and fourth grade teacher. From being diagnosed in November 2016 at the age of 25, to finishing chemo in January 2017, to being cleared in remission in March, he has been passionate about sharing his story to spread awareness and promote open conversation about men's health. Carpe Scrotiem!
Visit the website: www.aballsysens...
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Here is some positive news. I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1980 at the age of 34. After undergoing surgery to remove one of my testicles and a massive amount of tests, as well as 5,000 rads of radiation, my cancer never returned. I will turn 75 this coming April. Keep in mind that back in 1980, cancer treatments were nowhere near as advanced as they are today, and the survival rates were much lower. You have an excellent chance of living a full life. Best of luck to you and stay positive.
Thank you for sharing your story and awesome news!
Thanks Tom.
They confirmed I have it and I’ll be getting one removed Wednesday.
Can someone please tell me how long it takes to spread
@@extremelyoffensive5784 This depends a great deal on how quickly the cancer was diagnosed, whether or not it has spread to the lymph nodes and beyond, and what type of testicular cancer it is. Generally speaking, the overall survival rate for testicular cancer is excellent.
Thank you incredible human for sharing
God bless you!!!! NEEDED TO SEE THIS!!!!
not a lot of people understand but I do. I've been on chemotherapy for 2 years just recently was told it had spread I was really scared now I'm on stronger chemo and don't known how long I have. I hope you have friend's and family believe me it will make you hurt really bad when you don't I'm always heart broken and alone. remember my friend ask a lot of questions because there's more than one chemo treatment and most cures on the internet doesn't work I tried a lot of them before I started chemo I screwed up don't do what I did. I'll pray for you and your family. one more thing chemo will make you sick but it's not as bad as people say.
New cop I pray Jesus heal you completely.💕🕇
New cop having done chemo and radiation, would you recommend a person even trying it? Reason I ask is because everything I have read or seen, no one has ever survived after having it. It only works a short time and then it spreads. I'm just wondering since you have experienced it...
God Bless you Man .....Oncologists in my view are like car salesman I’m sure most would avoid chemo etc unfortunately they have to follow orders.
I'm in remission now and hoping for the best for you, too.
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
@Laura Mounier your so sweet and thoughtful. Very up lifting message .there is good people in the world and you are high up the list. ❤
i am 29 and i was just diagnosed, within two weeks i had surgery. hope for the best. thanks for sharing your story as i am somwhat scared myself even though i may not show it.
good luck brother. I'm living proof that anyone can get through it.
Hey, is there any update on your condition, like recurrence or anything else? I was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and my chemotherapy is done, but I'm now worried about recurrence.
you are so brave. Justin keep your faithful submission because that is what I have done having had cancer four times with a few treatments. LOL. I found myself not thinking of me as a victim but you could say made my own bucket list and I am doing it now. I live now in Long Beach MS. and I feel great but I also know that there is no cure for my blood disease that there is no cure and that is why I have had four fights with this nasty cancer. Be strong and know that I will keep up with you on your health.
***************************************** you can do it and I got this from the highest power.
Keep staying strong!
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
Prayers are with you, friend. You will undoubtedly use the same steely determination you apply to your craft to heal yourself. You will beat this.
Thanks always!
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
@@ABallsySenseofTumor Hi, how are you? Prayers are with you friend. You will undoubtedly use the same steely determination you apply to your craft to heal yourself. You will beat this. Kind regards, from, PaulLaw.
@@ABallsySenseofTumor how are you today hope everything is going well. I just got diagnosed with the testicular cancer and had to surgery to remove the right testicle in the entire right testicle was consumed with cancer because I waited a long time to get seen. Now CT scans coming in my fear is in my gut feeling that he has spread because I knew something was wrong and I waited a long time for treatment. And I’m sure it has spread. Tumor size was close to 4 cm when they took it out .
God bless you!! you're so strong. My boyfriend had stage 3 cancer. He was cancer free for a few years and now it is back. He recently had a surgery and they removed his left testicle and one kidney ( tumors spread to kidney). Not sure if he'll be doing chemo or radiation, he needs to update his blood tests. Any advice would be very much appreciated! These videos help me understand more of what testicular cancer is. Best wishes!!
How long does it take to spread
sorry I didn't see this til now. What did he end up deciding?
I am just wandering how he is doing now, I got diagnosed with seminoma testicular cancer 5 years ago which will be this coming February, I just had the testicular removal and the doctor put it me on the surveillance only check up and I pray 🙏 it won’t come back if any one knows more about this
They found seminoma tumor in my right testicle. I had surgery to get it removed. Had CT scans and xrays. It didn’t spread thank goodness so i just have to keep getting CT scans every 3 months to make sure it doesn’t return.
Hi Joel. I'm 19 and I feel a lump in my left testicule. Is that cancer??
@@nouh3927 get it checked and removed if its tumor. you wont lilke the decision,but you have to.that is all.
@@VitMcG Can you describe how was tumor on your right testicle. Like how was it compared to your normal one?? And was symptoms were you having?
@@nouh3927 if you feel a lump in your balls. It means infection or tumor. Infection usually cause fever. Tumor, you ight feel pain, or not at all. Either, go check it. Testicular cancer is aggresive.
@@nouh3927 Hi Noah! a lump on the testicle usually feels like a tiny pea or any texture that is not smooth. They usually don’t cause any symptoms or pain. That’s why it’s important for you to always check yourself and feel your testicles atleast once a month. Keep in mind, a lump doesn’t always mean cancer, it could be just an infection. That is why it’s important to have it checked by your doctor if you feel something weird. They will do an ultrasound to see if it’s something cancerous or not. Good luck and let me know how it goes. if you have any more questions I’m glad to answer them!
Im sorry for the stress you are currently going through, keep doing what your doing to get better and try to keep a positive attitude. Your ot alone and it is curable. You look young and healthy which is a bonus. You got this. 🌷
I truly hope you are still on the mend here's thinking if you and wishing you love, peace and good health. ✌🏻
I'm in remission now!
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
Prayers going up for you.. Keep Jesus close through your journey
nativerose nativerose Amen
In remission now!
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
@@ABallsySenseofTumor Prayers are going for you.. keep Jesus close through your journey. Kind regards, from, PaulLaw.
Sorry to hear we will pray for you me and my family.
I'm all good now!
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
Thinking of you and hoping you get well !
In remission now
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
hes my 4th grde teacher
Is he still ok
God bless you ,hope you heal soon❤❤❤
In remission now!
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
I think this is more common than the statistics say... I think the documented cases are the ones that have spread rapidly but I think there are cases of people suffering slowly and don't realize it until its out of hand.. I don't think I'm going to receive what I want to hear from the doctor and I think I might have let it go to long.. Because it feels like its in the penile region.. I don't know which is the source of the original problem if it's penile cancer causing pain in the testicular region.. Or testicular cancer causing pain in the penile area.. Or if it something that is spreading.. But I have been feeling very sick since last winter... But I don't have a testicle 3 times the size.. I do have one bigger than the other which is normal.. But I do notice something on one that isn't on the other and it's painful.. Almost like that feeling when you get kicked in that area.. But not as bad.. Just enough to know your uncomfortable and that something isn't right.. I keep telling myself that it will go away on its own.. And that talking about it will just discredit you from being taken seriously about anything in the future if it turns out I'm wrong.. Or that people will say I'm making it up for sympathy and that I'm being disrespectful to the people who have been confirmed as having it.. Believe me It is not something I even want to be talking about let alone being in the position of having to wonder.. Even when everything else tells me it's exactly what I feared I want to be proven wrong by a doctor and told I was taking the wrong antibiotics for that purpose.. And I want to be in the position to take a stronger antibiotic and be done with it.. But I most definitely can't..
I would definitely contact a doctor ASAP. Saved my life - better safe than sorry.
Hope your treatment went well brother
it did! been in the clear for a few years now
Bro with God all things are possible, just have faith in God and pray, and everything will be fine. You are not alone.
In remission now!
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
How are you doing now buddy? You had the same cancer as me stage 2b. I’ve just finished 3 cycles of the bep chemotherapy. How are you doing one year later?
I'm in remission now. How are you?
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
Hi mate I had the same chemo drugs beps the cis platinum was the main one to make me feel like I'd lost the plot although the bleomycin was apparently the icing on the cake, did they tell u it would effect ur lungs forever
Richie Laurence how are ur lungs now? Does it affect tour speech?
Cisplantin is the devil
Seeing this today because I have a mass in my right testicular. Confirmed by an ultrasound. I don’t have insurance and I’m working on a solution to that issue but it’s hard struggling financially. And of course I keep entertaining the worst thoughts possible until I see a Urologist.
Reading comments below I’m glad to read you’re ok and you beat it all.
Good luck to you!
Hi there. I hope you got your insurance situation taken care of. Good luck and stay as healthy as you can so that if you need treatment, you will be able to get it and respond to it! I hope you are doing well.
@@crystalfrost9868 I did not get my insurance situation taken care of. I had to use the money I had to purchase insurance and get the treatment. Financially I’m kind of screwed now.
Prayers for you and your family.
Thanks!
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
Sorry to hear that you went all trough this
I have been diagnosed with testicular cancer one yea ago aswell and now it come back to my lymph node .
Doctor say i need chemo and radio
What kind of chemo did you had
And did you had any radio or just chemo please
Question what are the symptoms when it spread to your back? I have diagnosed with testicular cancer had it removed but now I have constant lower back pain I been getting blood work but comes out ok
Prayers to u bro be safe
In remission now
So sorry 😥 asking God for a healing for you..
All clear now!
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
I do like your gallows humor, Mr. Justin Birckbichler.
When you listed your winnings in the illness lottery, I thought of a scene from the Watchmen movie:
Edgar Jacobi : I have cancer.
Rorschach : What kind of cancer?
Edgar Jacobi : Well, you know the kind you eventually get better from?
Rorschach : Yes.
Edgar Jacobi : Well, that ain't the kind I got.
Humor def helped me get through it!
I m so sorry what you go through. ❤ Is there anyone who doesn't get spreading? I start to wonder because so many I know of say they are cured and suddenly they all get back saying it spread 😢. I just hate cancer and wonder if someone gets rid of it for good after cemo and radiation and all the treatment.?
If not, I hope scientists can work together without patents to find a better treatment fast!
Cancer takes all the good people from us. Almost think God needed them for something important.., or they already understood what life is trying to teach us, and they skipped the steps we others have to go before we go.. Can't help wondering...
Wish you all the best handsome man! Wish I could cure you and every one going through this.
Comfort hug and love from Line ❤
NORTH Line that was a lovely heartfelt message. I feel once cancer has set in its in and its a matter of time before it rears its ugly head. Im a person thats alwaya been positive however this venomous disease has taken so many of my family and friends. Ive more dead friends and family than alive! I myself was diagnosed with breast cancer. They said oh no worries got it early ive had the treatment and had a yearly scan they said all clear. I won t hold my breathe. I wish I could but I know from personal experience and talking first hand. IM praying for this man and everyone else with whatever diagnosis they have. God bless you and all of us xxxx
I'm in remission now!
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
@@ABallsySenseofTumor this is wonderful news. Made my day so it has. I'm on vacation and its been overcast and raining but now after seeing this reply the sun is most definitely out. Keep well. Keep in remission for as long as you live on this planet. All the best to you xxx
Also, I am a teacher. They say I can take my CalSTRS payment but I am not eligible for unemployment or disability in California.
did you had orchiectomy ? Have you noticed any differences in your mental state in case you had orchiectomy , you got so beautiful eyes ...
my prayers are with you justin
Thanks!
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
Any update on this handsome brave man?
Great video. How are you doing now?
This video was posted in end of April and I happen to be on treatment as well T_T I had this too.
How many cycle did you have to be consider cancer free?
Hello. Does anybody knows if this young man has survived
God bless hope you do well😓
I'm all clear now!
Please, how are you doing now?
I'm in remission now!
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
What does that mean when in remission?
It means u are cancer free for now but still need scans for 5 years after that ur cured
How are you doing now please any updates 🙏
You are so brave and handsome 💪❤ keep fighting babe
Thank you - in remission now!
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
@@ABallsySenseofTumor you are brave and handsome, keep fighting babe. Kind regards, from, PaulLaw.
Hi.. how are you now?
What stage did have?
It is terrifying. Have you heard of apricot seeds?
I think I have the same thing as you.
I had stage 2. I went through chemo and am in remission now.
A Ballsy Sense of Tumor
How many sessions of chemo did you have?
I had four and I still have it.
They say, I need stronger chemo?
From your videos it seems like you have been battling for a long time with this.
I'm all clear now! I had 3 rounds.
I now have this same problem................. My Testicular Cancer Has Spread to lymph nodes
Praying for you brother
How are you doing now?
@@aegisreflector1239 how are you feeling now? Your the same with the child of my brother..he have also a testicular cancer I don’t know yet if what stage he have..we are still here in hospital..
@@gamaycastaneda1707 i personally don't think I have cancer thank God. I hope your family member gets treated and recovers
wait you posted three times that day, at least one of which is old, I hope this one is old too.
That is great news and a relief. I would never tell a cancer patient to be cautious when using dramatic music during a vlog, but you my friend are a cancer survivor 😃😃😃
Hey, how are you now?
In remission now!
Hi bro I had the same cancer 15 yrs ago mine also spread to my back ,I had 3 months of chemo it was putrid made me feel like I'd lost the plot,but as they told me then if u were to get cancer this is the one u want, it has a 95% success rate it still scares the shit out of u but,b positive I'm totally cured now with no more tests needed I'm sure u will b the same, all the best mate
I'm all clear now!
So sad Dear 😢😭!
I'm all clear now!
@@ABallsySenseofTumor i got a ultrasound monday im so worrid my ball in 4 time the size
Done with orchie last feb 3, surgery went well 😁
How are you now?
In remission now!
I'm survivor of testicular cancer had in March easter week 2009 ! when i was 37, it was very aggressive i had pain and burning inside my low left groin ! In one week before the surgery my left testicle getting bigger and bigger and i can't touch it because i was in pain. It was 50% teratoma and 50% embryonal carcinoma, only with the orchiectomy i'm in total health again, I was lucky when i discover it and i had the signs it didn't spread ! I'm 46 now and in perfect health like before but i miss my left testicle i had for many years but that's unfair it is life with some people ! I see many young people dying everyday and i lost friends and family members from death and i'm afraid to die young. Good luck to you my friend !
U will live on mate success rate for this type is 95%
All clear now!
@@ABallsySenseofTumor Happy new year 2024 !
How you are now ?
in remission now
Does testicular cancer have 100% I'm looking to get get a diagnosis and it's hard because I'm 13 and I have no clue if it will spread or not
what do you mean by 100%
I'm praying 🙏 for you.
Thanks!
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
Stage 1 sem before six months..mentally its sucks
Hi giorgos. What symptoms did u have before that. I'm 19 and I feel some lumps in my left testicule for a year now.
@@nouh3927 you must go to your doctor.i haven.t any simptoms.
@@nouh3927 i find it .in a regular check up.
@@giorgosdimitriadis3692 was it a general health check-up??
@@nouh3927 Def go to a doctor if you havent already
Oh baby sorry 😐 xxxxxxx
I'm all clear now!
Hi
#NeverGiveUp
Rock on
PS - Sorry for the late reply!
I am just wandering how he is doing now, I got diagnosed with seminoma testicular cancer 5 years ago which will be this coming February, I just had the testicular removal and the doctor put it me on the surveillance only check up and I pray 🙏 it won’t come back if any one knows more about this
I am just wandering how he is doing now, I got diagnosed with seminoma testicular cancer 5 years ago which will be this coming February, I just had the testicular removal and the doctor put it me on the surveillance only check up and I pray 🙏 it won’t come back if any one knows more about this
Been in remission for over 6 years now!
@@ABallsySenseofTumor it means it didn’t come back to you so far that means there could be hope for life for all of us who are going through the same thing seminoma testicular cancer stage 1
@@ABallsySenseofTumor TY for update, glad you're ok.
I am just wandering how he is doing now, I got diagnosed with seminoma testicular cancer 5 years ago which will be this coming February, I just had the testicular removal and the doctor put it me on the surveillance only check up and I pray 🙏 it won’t come back if any one knows more about this
Hey I had the same thing. Seminoma of the right testicle, no spread, no chemo and that was close to 2 years ago. I also pray it won’t come back but I’m too scared to even say that kind of stuff out loud. I have a CT scan soon and I hope it’s as good as the previous ones. I am praying.
@@louisronan5903 i know I am on the same page as well about it it is scary I don’t know if I will be your courage or not but so far I have been on surveillance for 5 years and 2 months and I am fasting today and I don’t know how to pray but I am just living it everything on God hands this is my reason of fasting, I think you will continue like me normal life but I don’t know tomorrow I am still on check up for hopping not coming back and next year on the third year you will start getting the ct scan done every year which is good I don’t know more of this because I am hopping for not coming back
@@louisronan5903 and me too I had it seminoma on the right testicular stage 1 till now it seems normal life just eat healthy and exercise and ask questions on you tube like how we do right now but don’t talk about it to people outside because some of theme will scare you and some of them will pretend like they know those things and it will get you more down, we can be in tach on you tube
@@louisronan5903 tomorrow I don’t know what will happen