 |
Books Related to Testicular Cancer |
Testicular Cancer is relatively rare. We all know that. So while you can go to the nearest book store and find a shelf of books on breast cancer or prostate cancer or heart disease, you simply are not going to find a book on testicular cancer. Fortunately, that does not mean that they don't exist; you just have to look harder. The online bookstores make this simple.
What follows is a list of books that deal in some way with testicular or extragonadal germ cell tumors. While a few medical books at the bottom of the page discuss the nature and treatment of the disease, most of these books talk about cancer through personal experience. I have not read them all, but the ones I have are very compelling and informative.
Biographies / Personal Stories
- The Shriek I Do Remember: Winning the Race of Life and Other Stories - Sluga was a young college cross-country runner when he discovered a lump that led to a testicular cancer diagnosis. His memoir discusses his experience with cancer and survivorship, including fertility, sexual health, body image, mental health, and faith.
- A Real Ballbuster: Untangling Testicular Cancer Together - A memoir from the family and caregiver perspective about navigating a husband's testicular cancer diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, and the effects of cancer on the entire family.
- Tumorous Hesticles: Just Say Cancer - A candid and often humorous account of diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, recovery, mental health, family, friendships, and learning to talk openly about cancer.
- I'm Champion, Call Me Bob: My Story - This autobiography talks about Bob's life as a jockey, how things came crashing down when he was diagnosed with cancer, how he recovered to win a Grand National, and how he went on to raise a lot of money and create the Bob Champion Cancer Trust.
- Champion's Story : A Great Human Triumph - Out of Print.
- It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life - Despite the bad things that Lance did after beating cancer, this is a good book! It gives a very detailed and personal view of Lance's thoughts during his diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. There is a lot of cycling in there too, but you do not need to be a cycling fan to enjoy it.
- Landing It: My Life on and Off the Ice - Scott's Autobiography
- Scott Hamilton - A children's book in the Overcoming Adversity series
- In the Country of Illness : Comfort and Advice for the Journey - Lipsyte had testicular cancer twice, the first time back in the 70's, so he experienced 2 *years* of chemotherapy. His wife also died of breast cancer. The book discusses the entire experience.
- Climbing Back : A Journey With Cancer - An army officer's two time journey through diagnosis, surgery, treatment and recovery from testicular cancer. For those of you in the armed forces, it also discusses the trials and tribulations of staying on active duty after treatment for cancer.
- Five Seconds to Air : Broadcast Journalism Behind the Scenes - Bob's story, including a detailed account of his battle with testicular cancer.
- Steve Scott the Miler : America's Legendary Runner Talks About His Triumphs and Trials - Steve's Autobiography
- 'I Ain't an Athlete, Lady...' : My Well-Rounded Life and Times - John's story of the 1993 baseball season, including an account of his experiences with testicular cancer. Out of print.
- Vital Signs : A Young Doctor's Struggle With Cancer - Dr Mullan chronicles his battle with cancer. Out of print.
- A Shining Season : The True Story of John Baker - By William J. Buchanan. This inspiring book was first published in 1978, and it has been continuously in print ever since. It is widely used in many school curriculums. It details John's diagnosis of metastatic testicular cancer (a death sentence in 1970), and what he did with his life before cancer took it from him. (A Shining Season, 1979 TV movie)
- Brian Piccolo: A Short Season - An excellent book that provides a far more detailed look at Brian Piccolo's experience with cancer. The author, Jeannie Morris, was the wife of one of the other Chicago Bears players, so the book also talks a lot about the relationship between Brian and the other Bears. It has a sad ending, but it is highly recommended. (Brian's Song, 1971; Brian's Song, 2001 remake)
Brian Sluga: College Runner, Testicular Cancer Survivor
Julie B. Hughes: Wife and Caregiver of a Testicular Cancer Survivor
Af Marseh: Testicular Cancer Survivor
Paul Savage, Jr: Just a regular guy with Stage IIb Nonseminoma
Bob Champion: Jockey, Nonseminoma?
Lance Armstrong: World Champion Cyclist, Nonseminoma
Scott Hamilton: Olympic Figure Skater, Nonseminoma
Robert Lipsyte: Sportswriter and Author, Nonseminoma? x 2
Mark H. Gerner: Pentagon Officer, Nonseminoma x 2
Bob Losure: News Anchor and Motivational Speaker, Nonseminoma
Steve Scott: Runner, Nonseminoma
John Kruk: Baseball Player, Seminoma
Fitzhugh Mullan: Physician, Mediastinal Seminoma
John Baker: Runner/Coach, Nonseminoma
Brian Piccolo: Football Player, Mediastinal Nonseminoma
- What's Wrong with Billy's Balls? - A children's book by testicular cancer survivor Steven Crocker and Ashley Crocker that encourages boys and young men to speak up if they notice something unusual about their bodies.
- I Choose to Fight - The story of a young man's miraculous victory over testicular cancer, a story of courage, power and love. Out of print.
Miscellaneous Fiction
- Cancer Ward - Solzhenitsyn's vaguely autobiographical experience with testicular cancer (Seminoma).
Medical Books
- WHO Classification of Tumours: Urinary and Male Genital Tumours, 5th Edition - The current WHO reference for classification and diagnosis of tumors of the urinary tract and male genital organs, including testicular germ cell tumors. Published in 2022 as part of the WHO "Blue Book" series.
- Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology, 13th Edition - A comprehensive reference covering the full field of urology, including the diagnosis and management of testicular cancer. The 13th Edition was published in 2025.
- Diagnosis and Management of Testicular Cancer: The European Point of View - This 2015 book presents the European perspective on the diagnosis and management of testicular cancer, including treatment, follow-up, pathology, and areas of continuing controversy.
- Germ Cell Tumors - An extensive collection of medical articles covering germ cell tumors of the testis and related topics. Edited by Dr Derek Raghavan.
