The athlete, who finished with a second place in the U.S. trials, is putting off treatment to compete in the competition. Shanteau was diagnosed with the cancer on June 19, a week before leaving for the U.S. Olympic trials.
Despite the fatigue and pain from the growing cancer, the swimmer says cancer relieves competition pressure. He underwent weekly blood tests and CT scans in the run-up to the Olympics before being cleared to participate in the Olympics.
Right after finishing his swim, the 24-year-old will fly back to his hometown of Atlanta for surgery. He is being treated by Dr. Lawrence Einhorn, who helped cycling champion Lance Armstrong overcome testicular cancer. The results of the operation will determine whether Shanteau will require chemotherapy or further treatment, New Jersey's Star-Ledger reported Monday.
Einhorn assured Shanteau he has better than a 95 percent chance of surviving the cancer, which is Stage 1. In the United States, between 7,500 and 8,000 diagnoses of testicular cancer are made each year.
Over his lifetime, a man's risk of testicular cancer is roughly 1 in 250. It is most common among males aged 15-35 years, particularly those in their mid-twenties.
