Captain Trey Foust | Testicular Cancer | Diagnosis at 32

About Me

I was a young and healthy 32-year-old firefighter and very rarely got sick.

How This Started

Before my diagnosis, I noticed fatigue, back pain, pain in my left leg, testicular enlargement, and pain in the affected testicle.

What I Noticed

I figured I had strained something, but I was wrong.

My Decisions Along the Way

If diagnosed, it helps to contact other doctors for another opinion and talk to peers to increase awareness and get support.

Why It Was Easy to Wait

I figured I had strained something from physical activity, and it’s easy to assume fatigue and general aches are just part of the job rather than something serious.

The Moment Things Changed

Once the pain wouldn’t go away and got worse over time, I couldn’t explain it away anymore and sought a real diagnosis.

What Happened Next

I knew something was wrong when the pain wouldn’t go away and got worse over time. I was worried about the potential outcome.

What Would Have Helped Sooner

Knowing about DetecTogether’s two-week rule ahead of time would have gotten me to a doctor sooner instead of waiting for the pain to become undeniable.

What I Learned and What I Want Others to Know

My cancer was stage 1B testicular cancer. I was very close to being stage 2, according to my doctors. If I had known more about DetecTogether’s two-week rule, I would’ve probably caught my cancer even sooner. Listen to your body. Don’t be afraid; if caught early, testicular cancer is very curable. As a firefighter, I would like to see less stigma that “it won’t happen to me,” and more precautions taken at the firehouse or on fire scenes.

Changes I Noticed

Fatigue, Pain, Swelling.