JULY 26, 2005 | William Derek is a major in the United States Air Force, where he flies C-130 Hercules cargo planes as he trains new pilots at Little Rock Air Force Base. He also is a 15-year Air Force veteran who has flown combat missions in the Middle East and Bosnia and counter drug missions in South America.

But in 2004 he added something new to his resume.

Since November 2004, he has been a cancer survivor. His doctor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) said Derek is the perfect example of why self-examinations are important to catching the most curable of cancers early.

Derek has not let the diagnosis or treatment slow him down. His diagnosis of testicular cancer meant surgery to remove one testicle. He’s back on duty and still works out with his squadron twice a week – often finishing with the first three or four guys in the two-mile run.

“Actually, it’s been no more traumatic than getting wisdom teeth removed because it was caught early,” Derek said. “As I lay in bed recovering from the surgery, I realized it could’ve been a lot worse.”

Before his diagnosis, Derek had competed in a Half-Ironman Triathlon competition, which features a 1.2-mile swim followed by a 56-mile bicycle ride before ending with a 13.1-mile run. While training and competing in what he called a “grueling” and “brutal” event, Derek said he was inspired by the determination and attitude of champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, himself a testicular cancer survivor. Though at the time Derek didn’t realize how much they had in common.

As six-time defending Armstrong competes in the famed Tour de France bicycle race, seeking his seventh championship, Derek also continues to push himself. Along with his regular workouts with his squadron, he spends time on an elliptical trainer.

“I ran five miles on the elliptical this morning and five miles yesterday,” he said.

Derek said he knew something out of the ordinary was going on when he noticed one of his testicles felt hard compared to the other. There was no pain, he said, but the difference was obvious. He saw his doctor and an ultrasound identified seminoma, a type of slow-growing testicular cancer that is the most common in men age 30-40.

“Dr. Graham Greene and the staff did a spectacular job letting me know what it all meant, the impact and the options,” Derek said. “I was so grateful because my every question was answered without burying me in medical jargon.”

Greene, an associate professor of urology and head of the section of genitourinary oncology in the UAMS College of Medicine, emphasized that early detection of testicular cancer is important.

“There are too many instances where men ignore it and think it’s nothing or let their ego keep them from reporting something wrong,” Greene said. “Early detection is key to this most treatable of cancers.”

He and his wife, Silke, prayed a lot after the diagnosis, he said, but were not afraid of the implications. “I know it sounds kind of funny but I felt if I lived or died, I was at peace, because I'm a believer and my life has been so tremendously blessed,” he said

”I am a pilot in the Air Force, which is a dream come true. I had been able to travel the world and do some amazing things. I had successfully started a diamond importation and jewelry business. But all of those things are nothing compared to the blessing of being married to my wife who has been so supportive throughout this experience.”

He had surgery to remove the testicle in February 2005. Because the cancer was caught so early, he said, neither radiation therapy nor chemotherapy was necessary. He has embarked on “aggressive observation,” which includes regular blood tests and other laboratory work to make sure the cancer has not returned.

After a few weeks recovering from the surgery, Derek returned to duty with his training squadron. He said he didn’t dwell on what could happen following the cancer diagnosis and he has not since.

“You can’t choose your circumstances but you can choose to be happy,” he said. He said he hopes that by sharing his experience, other lives can be saved. If anyone had questions about his experience, they are even welcome to email him at Derek@BlazeDiamond.com – though he said his biggest piece of advice is to see a doctor if something seems out of the ordinary.

He urged men to learn about self-examinations for testicular cancer. Testicular cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer and the survival rate of early stage seminoma is better than 95 percent.

It is a good idea for men to conduct a self-examination at least once a month, Greene said, looking for any suspicious lumps or an enlarged testicle. Other symptoms could include lower back pain or enlargement of the breasts.

Greene added that surgical treatment of testicular cancer with the removal of a testicle does not interfere with fertility or sexual activity – another reason men sometimes will not report potential problems until it becomes too serious to ignore.

“Lance Armstrong had the most advanced stage of testicular cancer and is a great example of denying symptoms,” Greene said. “But even in his case, the cancer was treatable and has not slowed him down.

“So there is no reason why men should not educate themselves about testicular cancer and conduct a regular self-examination.”

Reflecting on his experience the past few months, Derek acknowledges, “I do think I tend to appreciate things a little more and realize how fragile life can be.

“I always felt bulletproof. Now maybe a little less.”

The Arkansas Cancer Research Center at UAMS is inviting other cancer survivors to share their experiences of having “taken on cancer and beaten it.” An online submission form for stories is available at http://www.uams.edu/communications/acrc_hero_story_form.asp.

Links on This Page

Adult Health Advisor, “Testicular Cancer”: http://rpweb.uams.edu/CRS/AHA/aha_testicca_crs.htm

Arkansas Cancer Research Center: http://www.acrc.uams.edu/

ACRC: Tell Us Your Story: http://www.uams.edu/communications/acrc_hero_story_form.asp

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