Olympian Eric Shanteau: Competing First Before Cancer Treatment

Olympic swimmer Eric Shanteau (age 24) has recently announced that he has testicular cancer but is delaying his testicular cancer surgery until after he’s done competing in Beijing.

According to media reports, Shanteau noticed a testicular abnormality but didn’t see a doctor until his girlfriend urged him to do so. Shanteau got the testicular cancer diagnosis a week before the Olympic trials. Shanteau’s doctors recommended surgery as soon as possible but saw no signs that the cancer had spread.

After weighing his options and risks — and his life’s work to get to the Olympics — Shanteau decided to delay treatment until after the Olympics. He’ll be closely monitored during the games and will drop out if there is any sign his cancer is spreading.

What a very brave young man. Kudos to you! Also, best of luck in the Beijing Olympics competition.

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