No age barrier for testicular cancer

Twenty-year-old Port Kennedy resident Daniel Carroll has urged young men to visit their doctor on a regular basis, after he was diagnosed with stage two testicular cancer last year.

According to a Department of Health report, testicular cancer is common in men aged 20 to 24 years. In 2011, there were 16 cases of testicular cancer, which made up almost half of all cancers in that age bracket.

Mr Carroll said he was shocked at the figures and wished he had visited his doctor sooner.

He said he ignored a lump for about six months before he went to his doctor in late December.

“My doctor ordered me an ultrasound and after it was confirmed I was sent practically straight to surgery at Fremantle Hospital,” he said.

“I was absolutely terrified, because there was no family history of it.

“I prolonged it for so long because I hated the thought of doctors and needles, but I wish I had got the lump checked sooner, because it may not have got this bad.”

Since the surgery, Mr Carroll had undergone two rounds of chemotherapy and embarked on what he hoped would be the third and final bout this week.

“The first round was OK, but the second one was hard,” he said.

“I felt nauseous and was throwing up. The cancer has moved to my lymph nodes, but I’m hopeful the treatment will kill it.”

Mr Carroll said he was grateful for the support of his family and friends.

“It was really scary to lose my hair, but all my mates supported me by shaving their heads too,” he said. “Most of us had long hair, so it was a good laugh to see us all bald.”

Last week, Mr Carroll returned to work at the family business, Fremantle Wreckers.