Did Lance Armstrong's Doping Lead to His Cancer?: Cancer Survivor is All Armstrong Has Left

In the sporting world, we have learned the use of performance enhancing drugs often lead the athlete to the hospital or casket. I recall beast of a man Lyle Alzado of the Oakland Raiders who admitted to using steroids and human growth hormone. His life was a tragedy as his body was reduced to a fragile skeleton as the cancer ate him from within. Alzado believed in the end, it was the performance enhancing drugs that caused his cancer.

Last night, Lance Armstrong admitted to the world he used EPO, steroids, and human growth hormone. Through a systematic doping method, Armstrong figured out how to beat the system in the short term. However, as more people around Armstrong tested positive, it became clear as they confessed Armstrong was probably guilty too. However, the greatest sign of doping may have been presented as evidence in front of the general public long before Lance Armstrong ever won the Tour de France. It is this evidence that turned Armstrong the cheat into Armstrong the humanitarian and inspiration as a cancer survivor. It is very possible that Lance Armstrong's cancer may have been caused by what Armstrong was putting into his body. Ironic isn't it. The cancer that made Armstrong a true hero was probably the biggest red flag surrounding the cyclist.

Many saw the cancer as being just that--a red flag. Sports Illustrated didn't have any problems asking the question in 2006. It all centers around that part of the interview Lance Armstrong avoided last night.

Oprah asked Lance about the accusations Betsy Andreu made about an admission of EPO, steroid, and growth hormone use overheard at the bedside of cancer stricken Lance Armstrong. Betsy Andreu says she heard Lance admit to using those drugs. Lance moved through that question faster than any other question, and there appears to be a good reason why.

Lance Armstrong wants to still be a champion in the cancer community. If it comes out that his use of performance enhancing drugs led to his testicular cancer, it is very likely Armstrong's role in fighting cancer will also be forever tarnished. While Armstrong knows his professional career is forever gone, he still has something to hang on to that makes him feel like a champion. He overcame cancer and became a hero.

Consider this from Fox News in reference to the Sports Illustrated article:


In E.M. Swift’s article entitled, “The truth is out there: Smoking gun may finally be catching up with Lance,” Swift described testimony given by former Armstrong teammate Frankie Andreu and Andreu's wife in a lawsuit between Armstrong and a sponsor that refused to pay Armstrong a $5 million bonus because of doping allegations.

Andreu testified that while visiting Armstrong in the hospital for treatment of testicular cancer in 1996, Andreu overheard Armstrong tell his oncologist that he had used “steroids, testosterone, cortisone, growth hormone and EPO [an illegal performance-enhancing drug].”

Although both Armstrong and the physician disputed the testimony and the case was settled out of court in Armstrong’s favor, Swift nonetheless commented, “Which testimony is more credible? The Andreus’ or Armstrong’s? Ask yourself which party had the most to gain by lying. And why is that particular testimony significant? Because one of the possible side effects of prolonged steroid use is testicular cancer.”

Swift continued, “It’s impossible to prove, but if what the Andreus testified to under oath is true, that Lance Armstrong, role model and hero to so many cancer survivors, may very well have helped bring about his own cancer through his use of performance-enhancing drugs. Young athletes tempted to go down that road need to know if that's the case.”

Lance Armstrong's admission will lead to more people asking the question if his doping was the reason for his testicular cancer. While Lance Armstrong may have one load off his back, the ultimate court of public opinion may turn worse for Armstrong if it is discovered his cancer was self-afflicted due to the use of performance enhancing drugs. Win at any cost many have nearly cost Lance Armstrong the ultimate price--his life.