Queens (North Carolina) assistant men’s basketball coach Josh Stein is facing what has become a common disease in an uncommonly courageous way – head on.

At 35 years old, Stein became one of the nearly 9,000 men that the American Cancer Society estimated would be diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2008. Fortunately for Stein, though, testicular cancer is one of the most curable manifestations of the disease.

“Right away I was optimistic because my doctor told me that it was caught at a very early stage and had not spread throughout my body. Therefore, it was going to be a lot easier to treat than if there were multiple tumors,” Stein said.

The disease can affect men of any age (nine of every 10 are between the ages of 20 and 54). Testicular cancer is not likely to run in families.

Stein had to learn how to deal with the illness at a difficult time since his treatment was in the fall when Stein was in the midst of preparing the Royals men’s basketball team for the upcoming season.

“Even though the doctor and all the nurses were very helpful, I was still nervous about starting the treatment,” Stein said. “But once they began, my main focus was trying to keep a positive attitude. For someone who has been physically active for most of my life, it was hard to have no energy and be physically and mentally drained all the time.”

Stein decided to make the team aware of his battle one day in September after a conditioning workout, and after he had gone through one round of chemotherapy treatment.

“The reaction was positive and the players and staff were all supportive throughout the whole treatment process,” he said. “I was flattered by the support of not just our team, but of the whole athletics department. Our athletics director, Jeannie King, took time from her busy schedule to sit with me through one of the treatments, which meant a lot to me and my family.”

“During his entire experience, Josh has been focused on staying positive,” King said. “His dedication to keeping a positive outlook and attitude during this time is a great lesson not only for the team, but all of us.”

Queens head coach Wes Long said Stein has become “a great example for our young men to observe.”

“Other than a few signs of fatigue during treatment, on most days you would not know that Josh has cancer,” Long said. “He has carried on with his everyday life with nearly complete normalcy, just like thousands of cancer fighters and survivors do each day.”

Stein has now finished treatment and will be tested regularly to ensure the cancer does not return.

“I feel a responsibility to educate as many young men as possible on this disease,” Stein said. “Like anything else, the most important thing in my situation was the early detection, which made it much easier to control the cancer.”

“I have always believed that someone’s true character comes out during times when things don’t go your way, and coach Stein has shown a tremendous spirit and dedication to not only doing the necessary things to treat his cancer, but to living a normal life during the process,” said Long. “We talk about going through the ups and downs in life with our young men all the time. There will be good and prosperous times, and there will be times when you don’t know how to take your next step. Coach Stein’s everyday attitude has been a shining example to our kids of how to handle yourself with grace during a tough circumstance.”

-Courtesy Queens Sports Information Director Sarah Waple.