An interview with
Shaun Vey
Testicular Cancer Survivor
Many of you may remember
Shaun Vey. He played Center
for the Tri-City Americans
from 2004 2009. What you
might not know...Shaun is a
testicular cancer survivor. After
only a few minutes on a phone interview, it is evident he
is passionate about educating young men of the need to
be aware of this disease. He encourages men to check
themselves starting in their teens.
When were you diagnosed with testicular cancer?
I was diagnosed when I was 25 years old.
How did you learn you had testicular cancer?
At the time I played hockey in a men's league. I was in
the shower when I noticed one of my testicles was 3
to 4 times larger than the other one and rock hard. I
told my wife, who was very concerned. She made me an
appointment with a doctor the next day. I am thankful
that my wife encouraged me to visit the doctor.
I wasn't diagnosed right away. My doctor did an
ultrasound and said he was really concerned. An option
was to schedule surgery as fast as possible as it was found
early enough. This was on February 12th. On February
14th I received the diagnosis and I underwent surgery
on the 25th. Three to five weeks after the surgery they
confirmed I did have testicular cancer.
What did you do once you learned of your diagnosis?
One of the first things I did when I discovered I had
testicular cancer was, I did a lot of research online. I
discovered testicular cancer is a young man's cancer.
Typically it affects men ages 15-40.
Usually on the younger side. I also
learned that men are afraid to talk
about it. It is usually the younger
men who die from the
disease.
Listen up men! You have
to check yourself. If you
wait until you feel sick it is
most likely late stage, limiting treatment
options. It is OK to talk about it. This is the
message I want people to take away, men need to talk
about this disease.
Shaun was surprised to learn he was affected by this
disease. As an athlete he takes very good care of himself.
Yet, this disease does not discriminate between athletic/
healthy men or the less active.
Any final thoughts about your experience, Shaun?
The experience has changed my life. It put things in
perspective. It made me realize what is truly important.
I learned to lean on family and spend more time with
them. I take even greater care of my health. I now have
regular physicals which I didn't use to do. I want to use
my experience to help people, to raise awareness.
Reduced priced tickets are available in our Foundation for only $10! A portion of the
ticket proceeds will be donated back to the Foundation to support awareness efforts
in our community! Join us for a great evening filled with help and hope!
Clinical Corner
Friday, November 15th
1st Annual Testicular Cancer
Awareness Game
with the Tri-City Americans!
All Proceeds Go To Benefit the
Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation!
Testicular
Cancer
Awareness