Eric Miller
“If I can help just one person, then my experience and sharing my story is a success… Men, do your self-exams. It’s important and you never know!”
At 19, Eric Miller decided one day to follow the instructions from his college health course textbook and give himself his first testicular self-exam. Something felt off, but he chose to ignore it for a few months, contemplating the “what ifs.” Eventually, he summoned the courage to tell his mother and suggested that he speak to a doctor. The diagnosis was positive for testicular cancer and yet, Eric recalled, “it was a bit of a relief at first since now I had an answer. I was ready to give my best effort at winning.”
Eric’s proactive approach to self-examination helped him find and diagnose his cancer early enough to be successfully treated. His treatment involved surgery to remove the tumor and nearby lymph nodes. “The doctor said I may have saved my own life by noticing it on my own.”
Cancer revealed valuable lessons to him at a young age. “It taught me that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. I have carried that with me throughout my life, and even though I can be as guilty as anyone of taking things for granted, I still remind myself that each day truly is a gift,” he says.
Eric leaned on his loved ones and his faith during his treatment, noting that it brought him closer to his mother, who was right there with him every step: “I was fortunate to be surrounded by loving and caring people throughout the whole journey. My parents were a constant support, as well as my friends, who made jokes along the way.”
Now, nearly 30 years later, Eric remains cancer-free. He stands up in memory of his mother, Pamela, who sadly passed from cancer. On his advice to others navigating their own cancer journeys: “I would say it’s about finding the light in the dark, finding positives to focus on. Cancer is not necessarily a death sentence, and our bodies, with the help of our minds, are capable of amazing things.”
Cancer research is important to Eric because, “I reckon it’s almost impossible to find someone who hasn’t been affected by cancer— themselves or someone they know. I think any research that is done, if it helps just one new patient, then it is a success. The treatments are constantly improving and changing, so the research must always continue.”
And what message does he want others to take away from his story? “The darkest times can show us light. Fight and know that you don’t have to do it alone.”
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Stand Up To Cancer raises awareness and funds research to detect and treat cancers with the aspiration to cure all patients. Find out how you can get involved.
