Ben's Metastatic Testicular Cancer Story: "I Wrote Off My Symptoms For MONTHS!" | The Patient Story

Cancer was not on Ben’s mind when he noticed his testicle becoming hard and swollen. After 6 months, it eventually grew to almost six inches and 2 pounds. He immediately made a doctor's appointment and after an ultrasound was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He then underwent an orchiectomy.
Despite being told he was likely cured, his cancer metastasized to his chest a year later. Ben opted for laparoscopic surgery over chemo again. He explains the extensive preparation for that surgery and challenging recovery.
Now several years out from scans, Ben processes his experience through comedy and connecting with others affected by cancer. He stresses the importance of awareness, screening and speaking up about testicular cancer.
Full story & transcript → www.thepatientstory.com/patie...
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[@ThePatientStory]

We’d love to hear from you: what were your first symptoms in your cancer diagnosis? Leave us a comment below 👇

[@greenwald007]

Stage 1 rectal cancer, Bleeding for 2 years chopped up to be hemorrhoids. Finally after 2 years I took myself to an ER to get checked out. When doing a DRE a mass was felt. Turned out to be a polyp containing cancer. Local Removal followed by ChemoRadiation and currently cancer free.

[@kriscomer7118]

Stage 4 Chalongiocarcinoma. No first symptoms. It ususual gets caught late.

[@annaroper6976]

My son has testicular cancer right now and going through chemo, his fourth cycle and last day tomorrow. I had Colon cancer two yrs ago and cervical cancer a year ago. After two major surgeries and still going to my 6 month oncologist appointments I still am cancer free!!! Thank you for sharing your story.✝️👑🙏😇

[@jvatos]

So glad to hear that everything turned out well! Wishing all the best!

[@user-nv4mj5rb4n]

SO GLAD YOU MADE IT Ben! In the early 70's I lost my best friend Dennis to testicular cancer. We were both 17. I am 71 now and I think about Dennis often. Really good young man and all his friends and family still miss him terribly. Testicular cancer at that time was only 5% curable, and today it is 95% curable! This GREAT PROGRESS IS DUE TO RESEARCH. Research is expensive. DONATE TO YOUR FAVORITE CANCER RESEARCH NON-PROFIT! IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE!

[@brooks6348]

Thanks for sharing. Testicular cancer should be discussed more. I think many young men would ignore the symptoms. I hope you have a long and healthy life!

[@beverlyt.5526]

Thank You For Sharing Your Cancers Journey Ben. You Are Awesome! I Agree 100%... I Raised My Now 37 And 25 Year Old Daughter And Son Using Proper Terms (penis, vagina, testicles, etc). People Are So Afraid Of The Human Body, It's Sad Really. Knowledge Is Power. I'm Sharing This Video With My 25 Years Old Son So He Is Aware Of The Symptoms. Thank You Again Ben 💙. Praise God You Beat Cancer's Ass!!! May You Live A Long, Happy, Peaceful And Prosperous Life 🙌!!!Western Upstate NY Nurse here ❤️

[@lizbrooks6095]

I’m so proud to know you. I don’t know where I’d be if you weren’t here. I love you brother.

[@barbkamesko3329]

My cousin had testicular cancer 20 years ago. He is healthy with 2 kids and his own private dentistry office.

[@user-ik3vs5st8e]

God Bless you for this news, I was diagnosed with seminoma stage 1 testicular cancer right after my daughter birth 6 years ago go but thank God I have been watching my kids grow till now with my fears, anxiety and depression and I had my ct scan results 1 week a go , I don’t know what to say anymore and I don’t know my future, but any true feedback will be very helpful

[@tarat26]

Mate, your not a idiot. I have breast cancer and wasn't even see for months as they said they could barely feel it and I was too young. Plenty of people from GPs have been told it's nothing when have this. Hugs buddy.

[@haposapi3776]

You are an inspiration Ben! Hugs and thank you for sharing 🍀

[@psrwhite]

Ben I love your story. I had breast cancer. You are so insightful. Thank you for telling your story. Knowledge is power. You will help save others. Thank you!

[@mariadelafuente4805]

Big hug, keep that sense of humor and take care

[@IreneRattray]

Ben is an inspiration.

[@lisagerson7735]

Ben you rock, thank you for sharing! I have not had cancer but I know people that have. Inspire is all I can say.

[@rebeccakarlsson1395]

Your story taught me so much Ben. I am going to share it with my son who is turning 20 and thinks he is invincible. You are right about so many things. I agree that the new unwanted identity, that you will live with for life, is a huge psychological hurdle. Thank you for acknowledging that. I also do not care for the “survivor” title. Maybe one day there will be a better word we can use. Best of luck to you in your health journey, and to each of us out here who have been in similar shoes.

[@ThePatientStory]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@shapienails3067]

Nice work Ben, I'm glad you wanted to tell/share your story. I remember when my son would need his yearly exam for sports. The doc wanted to check his privates for lumps. His face would turn all red and he'd tell the doctor "It's fine" .The doctor would of course insist, telling him playing baseball and getting hit there, it's part of the test. The older he got the worse attitude he'd get. By the age of 14 teen, my son refused to even go for testing. He told me you don't get it, Mom, it's not natural for another Man to mess with your Junk! I was the one with the red face. All I could say was please make sure if you ever feel something wrong to let me know..

[@lisatuckett6386]

Good job to discuss this! So preventable if caught early. All cancer is evil. No cancer is embarrassing. Good for you!

[@michaellinton3592]

🙏 for healing! God bless!

[@Macy-hg2or]

Waiting for Ct scans, Pet Scan, MRI results are unnerving. I live in the land of denial to keep my sanity. Good advice Ben! You are helping others!! Keep up your vlog. I will follow. ❤

[@CodyPowers-wj4qg]

Way more info from Bens story than I have fround frrom other videos including from doctors.

[@nancysoles3227]

Thank you so much for sharing. You have such a great attitude. It's awesome that you're enabling others to learn and hopefully reach out for medical opinions.❤

[@ertiebassy3612]

Ben, refreshingly honesty. Great video.

[@IreneRattray]

I feel sorry for Ben. He waited for 6 mths. If only his family had told him that testistcular cancer was in the family. I hope he survives.

[@elizabethvargas1438]

Helllooo do not blame others for not getting checked, 2 lbs look later swollen, nope, he should have checked since it got hard!!!!

[@Macy-hg2or]

We should all know our family history. Especially since many cancers are genetic.

[@ferrydinther8488]

@@Macy-hg2or cancer is not a genetic disease. Its a mitochondrial metabolic disease caused by a defect in the mitochondria rather ther somatic mutations in the nucleus. There are genetic RISK factors.

[@Macy-hg2or]

Im hoping for the best for you Ben ❤ When I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I opted for a bilateral radical mastectomy. It’s not easy knowing you have cancer. If i ever needed chemo and/or radiation I would refuse. I hope you are doing well. Beautiful eyes.

[@kiwipics]

I don't think I'd of waited that long to get looked at.

[@Macy-hg2or]

You never know how you will react when you’re in fear. But you have a good attitude. Stay well.

[@floridaman5125]

You never know… when it’s you.

[@kiwipics]

​@@floridaman5125 ... I live in the UK and I know that I wouldn't hesitate to visit my GP for an initial checked by them, because something that size isn't natural. I've been on the 2WW system for multiple suspected cancers. I'm still jundergoing investigations for potential gastrointestinal and Oesophageal cancers.

[@newnewsbrooklyn1513]

I feel you did the right thing avoiding chemo and having surgery instead. Chemo can cause permanent heart damage(happened to a friend) as well as it can cause other forms of cancer. Very damaging to the body. Good to see it was the right choice in your case

[@Catherine3296]

Chemotherapy doesn’t give you other cancers, it’s supposed to help get rid of cancer.

[@claireashley427]

​@@Catherine3296Actually chemo and radiation although used to treat cancer can absolutely cause other cancers later down the road along with other health problems so it's definetly something to consider!

[@juniordixie9489]

@@claireashley427it’s only certain chemo drugs.

[@Heavyisthecrown]

If ANY part of your body is growing or being weird GO get checked. Even without family history

[@Heavyisthecrown]

Urologist named dick chop 😂 omg poor Ben! Hopefully you’re okay! Prayers for you my friend ❤

[@anthonyoppenheimer2694]

I had this had righty cut off then had radiation, I waited 6 monthes also. Now I am going through BEP Chemo I did 1 cycle I really do not want to do anymore no more bleo atleast

[@LLS710]

Okay, it's a bit unclear: did he also have to have a penectomy? I ask this because he said they had to go in and take out the whole plumbing in the area of the pubic bone. I think he meant the testicular plumbing. I wish he had stated what he meant exactly. What was the whole absorbed twin thing & how did this affect his cancer???

[@Hardrockingamigo]

I had pure seminoma. Unusually my left testicle shrunk and was tender that was my symptom. Tumor was 1cm. I got the removal surgery but declined chemo. 2 years and still cancer free. What kind of tumor did you have? I read that non-seminomas are more aggressive and grow faster

[@samuelbridge7873]

My left testicle has shrunk over the years, didn't think to much about it. But also for a while I have had a small lump on the bottom of it. The lump along with the testicle is tender to the touch. I have already had the ultrasound and waiting til next week for my urologist appointment. I hope it would be the pure seminoma if it is just because I have always heard best results from that type of cancer. Dummy me has kind of pushed it off as nothing since it hasn't affected me in any way. Now I'm nervous as heck 😬

[@juniordixie9489]

Never wait.

[@anneherman6745]

❤️🐞

[@anaferguson5135]

If you noticed something different in your body, anywhere , go find out what it is. You could have it even without family history. My friend, a nurse like me:; he had testicular cancer wo fam hx.

[@kriscomer7118]

This for the channel not the patients. All of the thumbnails are of them with smiles. Cancer is not smiles. It’s’ painful and terrifying. I understand wanting to inspire and encourage but where is the truth too.

[@Macy-hg2or]

Please don’t doubt, unless you know this man personally. Everyone reacts different. I try not to think about my cancer. It’s terrifying 😢

[@floridaman5125]

Did you have cancer?

[@Catherine3296]

The sound on this video keeps going in and out and breaking up

[@shahfibre]

Audio quality is worst in all your videos

[@Tina_at_Tiny_Ducks]

I'm so sorry Ben, did you get Vaxxed?? Start your own YT chan, The amount of Support you will get will help you get through this!!

[@LLS710]

Oh gosh, please, let it go ... it's mid-way through 2023. You're not going to spend the rest of your life blaming everything on the vax or no vax, right?

[@Macy-hg2or]

What does the VAX have to do with this topic! You should know i took a pass on the VAX. Never caught covid although exposed through many surgeries.

[@Tina_at_Tiny_Ducks]

@@Macy-hg2or It causes Cancer.

[@UnknownUser_10]

@@LLS710I swear, these people will still blame the vaccine in 50 years for everything. The fact that the mortality rate was way higher just 30-40 years ago is not interesting for them. They prefer conspiracy theories over facts.

[@UnknownUser_10]

@@LLS710The worst thing about is that it is very unfair to the people who suffer from these diseases