No one better shows how far we have come in treating testicular cancer than Lance Armstrong. In 1996, this world-famous bicycle racer began having symptoms. He had low energy levels, started coughing blood, and had a pain in a testicle. He was found to have testicular cancer that had spread throughout his body to his lungs and brain.
After the testicle was removed, Lance was given chemo. He also had surgery to remove 2 tumors that had spread to the brain. (He didn't get any radiation because of the concern that it would affect his balance or coordination.)
Lance finished his treatment by the end of 1996. By 1998, he was competing again. In 1999, he won the Tour de France, which some believe is the toughest athletic event in the world. He went on to win this event a record 7 times in a row between 1999 and 2005. He has founded LIVESTRONG (formerly the Lance Armstrong Foundation), which focuses on the cure of cancer and helping people with the disease. You can read more on the LIVESTRONG Web site at www.livestrong.org.
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