Podcasts about Testicular cancer

Matthew Rose-Nel tells us about his journey over the last number of years since he was daignosed with testicular cancer, which has challenged him both physically and mentally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast Show NotesGet Comfortable with the Uncomfortable: Surviving Testicular Cancer at 43 with Resilience and Martial Arts We often hear that testicular cancer is a "young man's disease," but cancer doesn't always play by the rules. In this episode, we welcome Mark Vidic, a 43-year-old martial arts instructor from Toronto, who shares his powerful story of diagnosis, treatment, and an incredible life after cancer. Mark takes us through the early signs of unusual back and shoulder pain, plus the challenges of getting a proper diagnosis when multiple doctors thought he was too old for the disease. He discusses how his 30+ years of studying Combat Ju-Jitsu prepared him mentally and physically to face 90 days of intense chemotherapy, and how he turned his time in the hospital waiting rooms into a mission to encourage and uplift younger patients. Tune in to hear Mark's story of family support, a surprise natural pregnancy after fertility struggles, and his upcoming mission to give back to the hospital that saved his life. Key Takeaways from This Episode:Listen to Your Body: Mark's earliest symptoms showed up as persistent lower back and shoulder pain before he ever felt a lump. If something feels off, don't wait—skip "Dr. Google" and seek professional medical advice immediately. Build Your Resilience: Embracing physical and mental challenges before a crisis hits builds the "inner iron" needed to face difficulties like chemotherapy. The Power of a Support System: From a partner who pushes you to keep moving to a community of fellow patients, nobody has to navigate a cancer diagnosis alone. Beating the Odds: Despite fertility readings pointing to "subfertile" results post-chemo, Mark and his wife Christine are joyfully expecting a baby boy this September. Links & Resources Mentioned:Learn more about the Foundation: The Max Mallory FoundationMark's Favorite Song: "You Get What You Give" by The New Radicals Connect With Us:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast directory. To listen to past episodes or learn how you can support our mission, visit us at www.maxmalloryfoundation.com/podcast  Send us Fan MailSupport the showFind us on Twitter,  Instagram,  Facebook  &  Linkedin. If you can please support our nonprofit through Patreon. 

With special guest: Dr Gideon Blecherin conversation with Bill Kable This is a topic that is not often raised in polite company or even on talkback radio. Many men would be reluctant to discuss testicular cancer even with their doctor. This is despite about 700 men being diagnosed in Australia every year, and in men aged 18-39 it is the second most common form of cancer. In this program we go to an expert at Healthy Male (formerly Andrology Australia), Dr Gideon Blecher, to find out what we should know. And there is some good news to pass on. Gideon refers to Lance Armstrong who developed this form of cancer before his later Tour de France exploits. We are told that Armstrong is a great example to show that even when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body modern treatment can lead to a full recovery. Podcast (mp3)

It's Been 10 Years Since Losing Max to Testicular CancerEpisode SummaryIn this special episode, host Joyce Lofstrom is joined by the entire team behind the Max Mallory Foundation: Max's dad, Chuck Mallory (Treasurer), and son, John-Mark Mallory (Executive Director). Together, they reflect on a poignant marker of time: the upcoming 10th anniversary of losing Max to testicular cancer in May 2016. The family discusses the foundation's evolution since its start in 2017, its impactful scholarship partnership with Max's alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and how the "Don't Give Up on Testicular Cancer" podcast serves as a cornerstone of outreach. They also dive into critical modern issues surrounding testicular cancer advocacy, including the gaping void in mental health resources for young survivors and how a new generation uses social media and AI to process medical fears. Episode Timeline & Chapters[00:00:00] – IntroductionWelcome to the podcast and introduction of the Max Mallory Foundation board members: Joyce, Chuck, and John-Mark. [00:01:45] – Reflecting on the 10-Year MarkerThe family shares what is on their minds as they approach a decade without Max, the surreal nature of passing time, and how sibling grief and parental healing change over a decade. [00:03:45] – Chuck's Writing & Healing JourneyChuck shares a personal update on emotionally processing his grief and his current efforts to write about his years with Max. [00:07:15] – The Roots of the Max Mallory FoundationThe family formally established the private family foundation in 2017 to carry on Max's legacy. [00:08:45] – Honoring Max Through Media Arts & The MAGD ScholarshipA look at the foundation's scholarship program and funding for the Media Arts and Game Development (MAGD) festival at UW-Whitewater. They discuss the use of game design for educational cancer journeys. [00:11:15] – Milestones of the Podcast & The Mental Health GapCelebrating nearly 80 live episodes and identifying a critical gap in cancer care: why the medical community frequently overlooks the psychological and mental health needs of young cancer survivors. [00:14:50] – The Changing Landscape of Advocacy & Social MediaHow the 20-to-30 age demographic uses Reddit, AI, and social media to express medical anxiety. The family addresses why outreach must pivot from traditional school visits to digital spaces. [00:18:00] – Overcoming the Stigma of Men's HealthA discussion on why young men delay going to the doctor out of fear, a lack of preventative screening advice from pediatricians, and learning from the success of breast cancer awareness campaigns. [00:21:30] – Looking Ahead to the Next 10 YearsFinal thoughts from Joyce, Chuck, and John-Mark on carrying forward Max's mantra: "Never give up."  Key Takeaways from This EpisodeGrief is a Marker, Not a Milestone: Passing a decade without a loved one isn't a traditional milestone to celebrate, but rather a profound marker of time to celebrate a life well-lived. Mental Health is Part of Survivorship: Medical teams excel at testing numbers and treating tumors, but there remains a massive systemic gap in checking on a survivor's mental health post-treatment. Advocacy Must Meet Youth Where They Are: Young men today turn to online forums like Reddit or AI tools rather than their immediate circles when processing potential cancer symptoms. Awareness campaigns must actively occupy these digital spaces. Break the Silence Early: Pediatricians and parents need to explicitly normalize testicular self-exams for young men around ages 12 and 13 to catch anomalies early and strip away the fear-induced stigma of seeking help. Connect & SupportVisit Our Website: Max Mallory Foundation  Listen to Past Episodes: Catch up on our library of 80+ episodes featuring survivors, caregivers, and leading cancer researchers. Make a Donation: Support the MAGD Scholarship and our ongoing testicular cancer awareness initiatives by clicking here. Subscribe: Please subscribe to Don't Give Up on Testicular Cancer on your favorite podcast directory so you never miss an episode!  Send us Fan MailSupport the showFind us on Twitter,  Instagram,  Facebook  &  Linkedin. If you can please support our nonprofit through Patreon. 

https://www.patreon.com/highyieldfamilymedicineIntro (0:35),Cystitis (1:45),Pyelonephritis (5:11),Asymptomatic Bacteriuria (6:42),Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (8:10),Acute Bacterial Prostatitis (9:43),Acute Urinary Retention (11:12),Stress Urinary Incontinence (12:29),Urge Incontinence (13:43),Overflow Incontinence (15:04),Nephrolithiasis (16:31),Testicular Torsion (19:15),Epididymitis (21:12),Hydrocele (23:23),Varicocele (24:48),Spermatocele (26:40),Testicular Cancer (27:28),Bladder Cancer (29:29),Renal Cell Carcinoma (30:40),Prostate Cancer (32:56),Practice Questions (35:40).

Update Series (2026) Lesson 15: Case-Based Testicular Cancer Clinical Practice Guidelines Now in its 45th installment, the AUA Update Series is renowned for delivering high-quality lessons to practicing urologists, fellows and residents. All content is developed by internationally recognized experts in urology, making the AUA Update Series the most professional and sought-after self-study program available. Improve your practice and patient care by staying abreast of the latest treatments and surgical techniques in urology. For more information or to subscribe to the AUA Update Series, please visit cme.auanet.org/URL/US2026

In this special episode of It Takes Balls, the podcast heads to the golf course for the second annual Tee Off for Testicular Cancer tournament in Norfolk, Virginia. Recorded from a golf cart, this episode captures the energy of a day dedicated to testicular cancer awareness, fundraising, and community.Joined by returning guest BJ Lange, TCAF founder Kim Jones, and some event sponsor representatives, the conversation highlights how the event brings together survivors, supporters, and advocates from across the country. From prize drawings and contests to creative fundraising efforts, more than $24,000 had already been raised by the start of the tournament. After the tournament, the goal of raising $30,000 has been surpassed!Beyond the event itself, the episode reinforces the mission: raising awareness and promoting early detection. Listeners are reminded of the importance of monthly testicular self-exams, common symptoms, and how early diagnosis can lead to high cure rates, especially when detected early.More than anything, this episode is about community and turning awareness into action to provide meaningful support to those affected by testicular cancer.Join us at the 2026 Testicular Cancer Conference:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/tcc-indianapolis-2026Information about Signatera:https://www.natera.com/resource-library/signatera/understanding-signatera-for-testicular-cancer/Join The Ball Room:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroomWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.orghttps://www.x.com/testescancer⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Steven Crocker:https://www.twitter.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

Mason Moore survived testicular cancer three times, with his first diagnosis in 2003, just two weeks before his wedding. He made the wedding as planned and became a vocal advocate for men's health and men taking responsibility for their health. The cancer returned in 2018 with a nodule in his right lung. And again, in 2019, in the same lung, Mason will share the details of these diagnoses, which were testicular cancer. He continues to give back to the cancer community as a testicular cancer survivor and is now seven years cancer-free. Send us Fan MailSupport the showFind us on Twitter,  Instagram,  Facebook  &  Linkedin. If you can please support our nonprofit through Patreon. 

Headlines: Trump responds to shooter’s manifesto Iran’s foreign minister is meeting with Putin Two children dead in Bowen Mountain house fire Abduction fears for Alice Springs 5-year-old And: ANZAC Day with Brian Barry Deep Dive: Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men; and it’s highly treatable. April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, and in this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by race car driver Thomas Randle to talk about his diagnosis and how he survived the disease. Plus: Randle gives some potentially life-saving advice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Phil Pierorazio sits down with Dr. Charles Freeman McCluskey, a urology resident whose career was shaped by his own diagnosis of bilateral testicular cancer. He shares his experience navigating early symptoms, misdiagnoses, and urgent treatment during the onset of COVID, and how that journey led him to urology.

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Jeff Pilachowski shares his journey through testicular cancer, shaped by his identity as a veteran, father of boys, business owner, and man of faith. Self-employed and responsible not just for his health, but for his livelihood, he talks about having to postpone work for a new client. That reality added another layer of pressure to an already life-altering diagnosis.What makes Jeff's story especially powerful is how he approached the mental and emotional side of cancer. At the center of it all was Jeff's faith, which became a foundation during the most difficult moments. He shares how belief, perspective, and purpose helped him process fear, uncertainty, and the reality of a cancer diagnosis—offering a different lens on what strength can look like during survivorship. Jeff also shares his experience navigating the PACT Act, having been exposed to burn pits while deployed overseas.This episode highlights the importance of recognizing testicular cancer symptoms, advocating for your health, and understanding that survivorship is about more than just treatment—it's about rebuilding physically, mentally, and spiritually.Whether you're navigating a diagnosis, supporting someone through cancer, or learning more about testicular cancer awareness and recovery, Jeff's story is a reminder that strength comes in many forms—and that no one has to face this journey alone.Provide your feedback on the podcast:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/itbsurveyJoin The Ball Room:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroomWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsConnect with Jeff:https://www.instagram.com/tetelestai_carpentry/Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:https://www.testescancer.org⁠⁠https://www.x.com/testescancer⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancer⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Steven Crocker:https://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

Doctors at Yale Cancer Center are able to spread awareness, diagnose and treat mostly younger men with testicular cancer. Dr. Michael Hurwitz discusses how highly treatable this cancer can be and how surgery is now being used in addition to other methods. Yale Cancer Center visit: https://www.yalecancercenter.org email: canceranswers@yale.edu call: 203-785-4095

Listen to today's podcast... I had no idea. There will be nearly 9,000 new cases of Testicular Cancer diagnosed during this year and more than 300 young men will die from the disease because they didn't catch it in time. That is more deaths than women in this age group who will die of breast cancer.) Testicular Cancer is the most common cancer in men ages 15-40, that time when we don't want to admit the possibility of illness.  However, if detected early, it is among the easiest to cure. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Testicular Cancer Awareness Week: You are never too young or too old to do a self-exam.  Teach young boys just like we do teen girls to do a self-exam.  It should not be embarrassing, and it does save lives. Know the risk factors: Age: Most testicular cancers occur between the ages of 15 and 40. The main risk factor for testicular cancer are undescended testicle(s). A family history of testicular cancer increases the risk. Race and ethnicity: The risk of testicular cancer among white American men is about five times that of African-American men and more than double that of Asian-American men. Talk about it. Private parts are private, but knowing how to detect an illness early is just as essential as the ‘birds and the bees'. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

Patrick Frank values humor when dealing with testicular cancer. As he shared in this podcast, he threw a Farewell to Righty Party the night before his orchiectomy in 2021. Now, five years later, he's preparing to run the London Marathon on April 26.His successful video production company, Patchbay Media, operates with offices in London and Washington, D.C.He's a father of two boys, a marathon runner, and a book author, so he has plenty to share. He grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and now lives in London, a move made for his wife's job, and a relocation he relishes as a runner.He's shares his testicular cancer story and explains why in the podcast. "Someone's going to know somebody who's going to get this diagnosis, and I hope that they think of me. Like someone's brother-in-law, someone's cousin. Someone's coworker, and it's just like, oh yeah. Like, there's that guy I'm friends with on Facebook, or there's this guy I went to high school with, like, whatever it is. My goal is just to be that person."Listen to this episode of Don't Give Up on Testiclar Cancer from the Max Mallory Foundation.  Send us Fan MailSupport the showFind us on Twitter,  Instagram,  Facebook  &  Linkedin. If you can please support our nonprofit through Patreon. 

Former All Black Sir Wayne 'Buck' Shelford joins Smithy to talk at length about the state of New Zealand rugby from a provincial and Super Rugby aspect. We also hear about his initiative called 'The Ticket Is In Your Pants', which is advocating for Kiwis to check for testicular cancer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 217: Testicular Cancer Dr. Arreaza: Welcome to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast. Today we are discussing testicular cancer, a topic that may not appear frequently in primary care but is extremely important to recognize early. We are joined by Brandon Noorvash and Dr. Ebenezer Dadzie. Please introduce yourselves. Brandon: Thank you, Dr. Arreaza. My name is Brandon Noorvash. I am a third-year medical student at Western University of Health Sciences with a strong interest in urology. Ebenezer: Thank you for having us. My name is Dr. Ebenezer Dadzie, and I am a PGY-1 resident in the Clinica Sierra Vista Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Arreaza: Testicular cancer represents about 1-2% of cancers in men, but it is the most common cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 40. The good news is that it is also one of the most curable cancers in medicine, especially when detected early. Let's start with a quick question for our listeners. If a 25-year-old man presents with a painless lump in his testicle, what diagnosis should immediately come to your mind? Ebenezer: Testicular cancer should always be high on the differential. While benign conditions can cause scrotal swelling, a painless testicular mass should be considered cancer until proven otherwise. Dr. Arreaza: I agree. Especially if we perform a physical exam and find that the mass is attached to the testicle. Why is this such an important diagnosis for primary care physicians to recognize, what do you think, Brandon? Brandon: Testicular cancer typically affects young, otherwise healthy men, and early detection dramatically improves outcomes. Patients may delay seeking care because the lump is painless or because they feel embarrassed discussing symptoms. However, when diagnosed early, the 5-year survival rate exceeds 95%, and in localized disease it approaches 99%. Dr. Arreaza: Exactly, the survival is incredible and it gets even better with early detection. How common is testicular cancer? Ebenezer: In the United States, approximately 10,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, with around 500 deaths annually. The relatively low mortality reflects how effective current treatments are, especially chemotherapy for germ cell tumors. Dr. Arreaza: Let's talk about risk factors. What should clinicians know about risk factors for testicular cancer? Who is at risk? Brandon: The most important risk factor is cryptorchidism, or undescended testicle. Men with a history of cryptorchidism have about a 4-to-8-fold increased risk of developing testicular cancer. Ebenezer: Other risk factors include family history, personal history of testicular cancer, infertility, testicular atrophy, and certain genetic conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome. However, many patients who develop testicular cancer have no clear risk factors. Dr. Arreaza: Brandon, you recently saw a patient with testicular cancer during your rotation. Can you briefly tell us about that case? Protected health information is not being revealed, so patient confidentiality is being respected during this discussion. Dr. Arreaza: I think we all were pleasantly surprised to know that lung metastasis did not place the patient in a higher risk category. On the other hand, nonpulmonary visceral metastases (such as liver, bone, or brain) define poor-risk disease in nonseminoma and intermediate-risk disease in seminoma.  Dr. Arreaza: And of course, if the patient presents with sudden severe pain, we should always think about testicular torsion, which is a surgical emergency. What should clinicians focus on during the physical exam? Ebenezer: Testicular tumors typically feel firm, irregular, non-tender, and located within the testicle itself. Brandon: A helpful exam pearl is transillumination. Fluid-filled structures like hydroceles will transilluminate, whereas solid tumors do not. Dr. Arreaza: I have to admit I've never done a transillumination in a scrotum before.  Brandon/Ebenezer: I've done it. I had to clean my pen light afterwards. Arreaza: Once you suspect testicular cancer, what is the next step in evaluation? Ebenezer: The first diagnostic test is a scrotal ultrasound. Ultrasound is highly sensitive and can determine whether the mass is intratesticular, which is highly suspicious for malignancy. Dr. Arreaza: US and tumor markers. Let's talk a bit more about tumor markers. Why are they useful in testicular cancer? Brandon: Tumor markers help with diagnosis, staging, and monitoring response to treatment. Ebenezer: Alpha-fetoprotein, or AFP, is typically elevated in non-seminomatous germ cell tumors, particularly yolk sac tumors. An important point is that pure seminomas do not produce AFP. Brandon: Beta-hCG can be elevated in both seminomas and non-seminomatous tumors, although the levels are often higher in the non-seminomatous types. Ebenezer: LDH is less specific but can reflect tumor burden and disease activity, so it's useful for monitoring progression or response to treatment. Dr. Arreaza: So, tumor markers are not only diagnostic tools, but they also help guide staging and follow-up care. That's an important board question. Why don't we perform a biopsy in a testicular mass?  Ebenezer: Testicular masses suspicious of cancer are not biopsied because biopsy can disrupt lymphatic drainage and potentially spread tumor cells. Instead, the standard treatment is radical inguinal orchiectomy, which both removes the tumor and establishes the diagnosis. Dr. Arreaza: Brandon, can you briefly explain the two main categories of testicular cancer? Brandon: Let's start with the germ cell tumors. They are broadly divided into seminomas and non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT). Seminomas tend to grow more slowly and are highly sensitive to radiation therapy. Ebenezer: Non-seminomatous tumors include embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor, choriocarcinoma, and teratoma. These tumors tend to be more aggressive but are still highly responsive to treatment. Dr. Arreaza: How are patients staged once the diagnosis is made? Ebenezer: Staging typically includes a CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis to evaluate for metastasis, especially to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, which are the most common site of spread. Dr. Arreaza: And how is testicular cancer managed? Brandon: The initial step is almost always radical inguinal orchiectomy. Depending on staging and tumor type, treatment may include active surveillance, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Ebenezer: One reason outcomes are so favorable is that germ cell tumors respond extremely well to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Dr. Arreaza: Let's talk about prognosis. Even without trying, every night you go to bed a little wiser. Thanks for listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast. We want to hear from you, send us an email at RioBravoqWeek@clinicasierravista.org, or visit our website riobravofmrp.org/qweek. See you next week! _________________________________________ References: Honda K, Kawai T, Taguchi S, Shiratori T, Miyakawa J, Nakamura Y, Kaneko T, Suzuki K, Suda S, Kamei J, Kakutani S, Niimi A, Yamada Y, Urakami S, Fukuhara H, Nakagawa T, Kume H. Impact and Risk Factors of Diagnostic Delay in Patients With Testicular Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Study. Int J Urol. 2025 Nov;32(11):1593-1601. doi: 10.1111/iju.70187. Epub 2025 Jul 28. PMID: 40726135; PMCID: PMC12586796. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40726135/ Singla N, Bagrodia A, Baraban E, Fankhauser CD, Ged YMA. Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: A Review. JAMA. 2025;333(9):793–803. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.27122 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2829847?utm_source=openevidence&utm_medium=referral Chavarriaga J, Nappi L, Papachristofilou A, Conduit C, Hamilton RJ. Testicular cancer. Lancet. 2025 Jul 5;406(10498):76-90. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00455-6. Epub 2025 May 29. PMID: 40451233. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40451233/ Tateo V, Thompson ZJ, Gilbert SM, Cortessis VK, Daneshmand S, Masterson TA, Feldman DR, Pierorazio PM, Prakash G, Heidenreich A, Albers P, Necchi A, Spiess PE. Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Testicular Cancer: A Systematic Review. Eur Urol. 2025 Apr;87(4):427-441. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2024.10.023. Epub 2024 Nov 13. PMID: 39542769. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39542769/ Langn RC, Puente MEE. Scrotal Masses. Am Fam Physician. 2022 Aug;106(2):184-189. PMID: 35977130. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35977130/ Xu P, Wang J, Abudurexiti M, Jin S, Wu J, Shen Y, Ye D. Prognosis of Patients With Testicular Carcinoma Is Dependent on Metastatic Site. Front Oncol. 2020 Jan 10;9:1495. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01495. PMID: 31998648; PMCID: PMC6966605. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31998648/

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Greg Gajewski shares what it's like to face testicular cancer not once, but twice. Diagnosed at just 29 years old shortly after getting married, Greg was healthy, active, and focused on building his life when he discovered something unusual and decided to get it checked. That decision led to a life-changing diagnosis and surgery to remove the affected testicle.After his orchiectomy, Greg entered surveillance, the standard follow-up approach for many early-stage testicular cancer patients. For a while, everything appeared normal. But during routine bloodwork a few years later, his tumor markers suddenly spiked, revealing that the cancer had returned and spread to his lymph nodes. Facing a recurrence meant a second and more intense battle, this time requiring chemotherapy.Greg ultimately sought treatment with Dr. Lawrence Einhorn, the pioneering oncologist whose work revolutionized testicular cancer treatment and dramatically improved survival rates. Under Dr. Einhorn's care, Greg underwent chemotherapy and successfully beat cancer for a second time.In this episode, Greg talks openly about the physical and emotional realities of treatment and survivorship. Dealing with long-term side effects like Raynaud's syndrome, he reflects on how cancer reshaped his perspective on health, resilience, and life itself. Drawing on the discipline he developed through years of gymnastics and martial arts, Greg explains how mindset and support systems played a crucial role in helping him push through some of the hardest moments of his journey.Whether you're navigating a testicular cancer diagnosis, supporting someone going through treatment, or simply learning more about testicular cancer symptoms, recurrence, and survivorship, Greg's story is a powerful reminder that early detection matters—and that strength often shows up in the determination to keep fighting, even when the battle returns.Provide your feedback on the podcast:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/itbsurveyJoin The Ball Room:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroomWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsConnect with Greg:greg.e.gajewski@gmail.comFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.orghttps://www.x.com/testescancer⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Steven Crocker:https://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Eduardo Celis, a Venezuelan-American, shares his journey through testicular cancer at age 35, a diagnosis that can feel especially unexpected for men who consider themselves healthy and in their prime. Eduardo opens up about noticing changes after a vasectomy, navigating the uncertainty of symptoms, and ultimately hearing the words no one expects.He walks through the process of diagnosis, undergoing an orchiectomy, and the emotional weight that comes with treatment decisions. Eduardo speaks candidly about what it's like to confront cancer in your mid-30s — balancing health concerns, identity, masculinity, and the mental toll of a cancer diagnosis with young kids after losing his own father at a young age to cancer. His story reinforces the importance of recognizing testicular cancer symptoms like lumps, swelling, or changes in one testicle, and why regular testicular self-exams matter at any adult age.Provide your feedback on the podcast:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/itbsurveyJoin The Ball Room:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroomWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsConnect with Eduardo:https://www.instagram.com/eduardocelisc/https://www.facebook.com/celiseduFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.orghttps://www.x.com/testescancer⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Steven Crocker:https://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Dr. Darren Feldman, a genitourinary medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, provides a deep, evidence-based conversation on testicular cancer treatment, chemotherapy decision-making, and long-term survivorship. Dr. Feldman breaks down how cisplatin transformed testicular cancer from a fatal disease into one of the most curable solid tumors, even in cases of metastatic disease.The discussion explores the differences between BEP, EP, VIP, and TIP chemotherapy regimens, including when and why each is used, how doctors balance cure rates with toxicity, and why lung health, kidney function, age, and patient goals matter when choosing treatment. Dr. Feldman also explains why cisplatin remains superior to carboplatin in advanced germ cell tumors, when surveillance is preferred over treatment in stage 1 disease, and how overtreatment can carry long-term risks.Later in the episode, Dr. Feldman addresses common patient concerns around recurrence risk, radiation vs surveillance, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), testosterone changes after chemotherapy, and misinformation surrounding alternative therapies.Provide your feedback on the podcast:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/itbsurveyHave a question for a future expert guest? Submit here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-question-submissionWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.orghttps://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgDr. Feldman:https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/darren-feldmanFollow Steven Crocker:https://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

Shannon Sharpe, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and Iso Joe Johnson react to the Los Angeles Lakers beating the Dallas Mavericks and get a big win heading into All Star Break, Nikola Topic makes his NBA debut 4 months after beating testicular cancer, and Seattle Seahawk and Super Bowl Champion Ernest Jones IV joins the show and much more! Subscribe to Nightcap presented by PrizePicks so you don’t miss out on any new drops! Download the PrizePicks app today and use code SHANNON to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/NI... 03:05 - Lakers beat Mavs19:06 - Nikola Topic makes NBA debut 4 months after battling testicular cancer 26:14 - Ernest Jones IV joins45:12 - NBA fines Jazz and Pacers57:33 - Jaylen Brown’s tweet1:02:06 - Jeremy Sochan signs with the Knicks (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) #ClubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send a textEVENING PRAYER (GOODNESS OF GOD; SALVATION; PROSTATE / TESTICULAR CANCER; OUR STRONGHOLD)Thank you for listening, our heart's prayer is for you and I to walk daily with Jesus, our joy and peace aimingforjesus.com YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@aimingforjesus5346 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aiming_for_jesus/ Threads https://www.threads.com/@aiming_for_jesus X https://x.com/AimingForJesus Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@aiming.for.jesus

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Don Dworek, a physician, U.S. Army veteran, and preventive neurologist, shares his experience being diagnosed with testicular cancer in his early 50s, well outside the age range most men associate with the disease. Don explains how regular self-exams helped him notice a small but concerning change, leading to rapid testing, diagnosis, and surgery. His story reinforces why testicular cancer symptoms and self-awareness matter at any age.The conversation explores Don's path through treatment and recovery, including complications like a post-surgical deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and the often-overlooked impact of low testosterone after orchiectomy. Don speaks candidly about the mental and physical toll of hormonal changes, loss of motivation, and delayed access to care — highlighting gaps many survivors face after treatment ends.As a Gulf War veteran, Don also discusses potential links between toxic exposure, burn pits, and testicular cancer, and shares critical information about the VA PACT Act, which recognizes testicular cancer as a presumptive condition for eligible veterans. His perspective as both a patient and physician makes this episode an informative and empowering discussion on early detection, survivorship, advocacy, and navigating cancer care with urgency and intention.Provide your feedback on the podcast:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/itbsurveyJoin The Ball Room:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroomWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.orghttps://www.x.com/testescancer⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Steven Crocker:https://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Connect with Don:https://www.instagram.com/donalddworekTheme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

Brian Sluga started running in sixth grade. His college track team didn't qualify for the national finals, so he went home, took a long shower, and discovered a lump on his testicle. He told his dad, who stopped mowing the yard and took Brian to their family doctor near Peoria, Illinois. After examining him, this doctor sent him to a urologist down the hall, who diagnosed testicular cancer. Sixteen hours later, Brian's surgeon removed the testicle. Because the cancer spread to his lymph nodes, Brian also had the RPLND surgery followed by regular blood tests and scans to monitor a possible recurrence, which did not happen.Fast forward some 40 years to 2026. Brian's new book, "The Shriek I Do Remember," will be released on February 8. It's about his testicular cancer journey and other stories about his life. From Brian Sluga's website, here is a look at the new book. "The Shriek I Do Remember is a story of hope. It'sthe story of a survivor, as Brian Sluga shares how, as a young college athlete, he found a lump. He had no idea what it was or how it would change his life."  Look for it on February 8.Enjoy this episode of Don't Give Up on Testicular Cancer to learn more about Brian Sluga, his testicular cancer story, and his writing. It comes to you from the Max Mallory Foundation.Send us a textSupport the showFind us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook & Linkedin. If you can please support our nonprofit through Patreon.

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Colin Safley — an opera singer and suit salesman — shares his experience navigating testicular cancer while facing a decision that could impact both his health and his livelihood. When treatment options included BEP chemotherapy, Colin was forced to weigh survival against the potential risk to his lungs, ultimately choosing a path that prioritized protecting his ability to sing. His story sheds light on how cancer treatment decisions can extend far beyond medicine, especially for patients whose careers depend on their bodies in highly specific ways.Colin also opens up about the emotional side of diagnosis, including what he describes as “coming out of the cancer closet” — deciding who to tell, when to tell them, and how much to share. The episode explores the vulnerability of living publicly with cancer while trying to maintain independence, humor, and control. During treatment, Colin found comfort in unexpected ways, from bringing plushies to chemo to reclaiming his identity through creativity and play.That sense of humor carried through even the hardest moments, including hair loss, which he turned into a statement by dressing as several bald characters for Halloween. Through laughter, honesty, and self-expression, Colin reframes survivorship not as a linear recovery but as an evolving process. His story highlights key themes in testicular cancer awareness, survivorship, and men's health — reminding listeners that there's no single right way to face cancer, only the way that preserves who you are.Provide your feedback on the podcast:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/itbsurveyJoin The Ball Room:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroomWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.orghttps://www.x.com/testescancer⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Steven Crocker:https://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Connect with Colin:https://www.instagram.com/colinsingsopera/https://www.facebook.com/colinsafleymusicTheme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

We welcome urologist, Dr. Jayram Krishnan, to our show to discuss the important topic of testicular cancer. Hear the amazing story of Denver Bronco linebacker, Alex Singleton. Learn how he was diagnosed and the importance of awareness and self exams within the young, athletic population, those whom are most at risk. How did he only miss one game!?! We also touch on TJ Watt and what to expect from the pneumothorax which currently has him sidelined. Will he be back for this all important, playoff deciding, upcoming game with the Ravens?

In 2021, Brian Vesall noticed some pain in one of his testicles when getting in his car.  He sought medical attention, which led to his getting an ultrasound.  After briefly looking at the scan, a urologist confirmed to Brian that he had Stage 2A testicular cancer.  He underwent an orchiectomy to remove the cancerous testicle, followed by an aggressive chemotherapy regimen of bleomycin, etopiside and cisplatin.  But he wasn't done.  Brian also underwent an additional surgical procedure to remove approximately 30 lymph nodes.  As daunting as his treatment was, Brian chose to address it with a sense of humor, which he still has after achieving survivorship and advocating for other men diagnosed with testicular cancer.   Brian's cancer journey began when he felt pain in a testicle as he was getting in his car.  Upon further inspection, he noticed a "hard spot on one side."  He immediately went to see his primary physician, who sent him to a urologist.  The urologist called for an ultrasound and only minutes after seeing its results told Brian he had Stage 2A testicular cancer.  The diagnosis was confirmed with Alpha-Fetaprotein and BHCG, or, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin tests, whose results were far above the normal range.   Addressing his cancerous testicle meant just one remedy, an orchiectomy, surgery that would remove the testicle.  Diagnosed on September 27, 2021, Brian had the procedure done just three days later.  He was told to avoid any lifting and really, just about any type of strenuous physical activity.   In November 2021, the surgery was followed by three rounds of BEP chemotherapy, which stood for bleomycin, etopiside and cisplatin.  Brian said he suffered the usual side effects, including cognitive issues, fatigue and hair loss.    In addition, Brian Vesall had to undergo an additional surgical procedure known as RPLND, or Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection in June 2022, to remove approximately 30 lymph nodes   Brian's health is pretty much back to normal, but a byproduct of his treatment regimen is that he suffers from retrograde ejaculation, meaning that semen travels backward into the bladder during orgasm instead of exiting the penis.   By way of advice, Brian Vesall says if you experience the symptoms of testicular cancer, you should act right away, and at all times, be your own advocate   Additional Resources:   Support Groups:   Man Up To Cancer: https://www.manuptocancer.org   The Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation: https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org   Brian's Speech at TCAF's San Diego Conference: https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/blog/tcc-2024-vesall   Brian's Appearance on the TCAF "It Takes Balls" podcast: https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/blog/brian-vesall-it-takes-balls-podcast-guest            

Everyone touched by cancer knows treatments vary depending on the type of cancer. Now, with precision medicine for some cancers, treatments can be tailored to that cancer. In this podcast, Dr. James Hamrick, MD, MPH, explains what precision medicine means for cancer patients and updates listeners on developments in testicular cancer treatments. Dr. Hamrick is the chairman of the Caris Precision Oncology Alliance, known as Caris POA at Caris Life Sciences. He leads a global network of top cancer centers and research institutions dedicated to advancing precision oncology and biomarker-driven research, and he will tell us all about it. Dr. Hamrick is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. He earned his MD and MPH in epidemiology from the University of North Carolina and completed his residency and fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.Now - back to precision medicine. Here's what Dr. Hamrick explains in the podcast.00:09:55"When we treat a cancer, it's all about hitting the cancer, the bad part, and not hurting the rest of the person. And so the more we understand the targets we should be hitting in these tumors, the better we can design treatments that hit those targets and leave the rest of the cells in a person's body alone."What does that mean? "It means fewer side effects, so more effectiveness. So when you hear precision medicine, think about this: this is where my doctor is not just treating me for cancer. Not just treating me for lung cancer, but is working to understand exactly what is driving my cancer and how can we best target that so I have the best outcome, meaning we can kill those cancer cells, right?"And the fewest side effects. That's really precision oncology. Biomarkers bio. We all know from high school biology class that the life sciences markers are the targets. So these are the targets that we can now use at Caris and other vendors. We can say, hey, that's the problem here."It's not just one testicular cell that went bad; it's one that has this certain molecular profile. So I tell patients: You should ask your doctors, Hey, what biomarkers do we care about? What is important? What are we targeting? What's valuable here?"And that's part of becoming fluent in the language of your cancer, which, as many caregivers know, is really important."Dr. Hamrick talks more about testicular cancer and the need to find genetic biomarkers for it. He explains that and related research about testicular and other types of cancer in this episode of Don't Give Up on Testicular Cancer from the Max Mallory Foundation. Links:Caris Precision Oncology Alliance - Caris POAhttps://www.carislifesciences.com/partners/caris-precision-oncology-alliance/James Hamrick, MD, MPHhttps://www.carislifesciences.com/bio/james-hamrick-md-mph/Max Mallory Foundationhttps://www.maxmalloryfoundation.comDon't Give Up on Testicular CanceSend us a textSupport the showFind us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook & Linkedin. If you can please support our nonprofit through Patreon.

In this episode of It Takes Balls, urologist and men's health expert Dr. Justin Dubin joins the show to dismantle some of the most common myths and misunderstandings surrounding testicular cancer, testosterone, and talks about the explosion of misinformation online. Dr. Dubin breaks down topics like pregnancy tests for testicular cancer, marijuana use and cancer risk, vaping, prosthetics, and why early detection still remains the best predictor of simpler treatment and better outcomes. His clear explanations offer the kind of guidance young men desperately need but often don't receive from social media or general online searches.Dr. Dubin also dives deep into the stigma around men's health - especially when it comes to testicles and hormone concerns. He talks openly about why men suffer in silence, how misinformation spreads faster than facts, and what men should actually do when they find a lump, feel pain, or notice changes in their libido or energy. From covering “testosterone boosters” to encouraging men to advocate for their own care, Dr. Dubin brings a practical, compassionate, and no-nonsense approach to topics that are often overlooked or misunderstood.Whether you're navigating a testicular cancer diagnosis, questioning your testosterone levels, or simply trying to make sense of what you see on TikTok and YouTube, this conversation equips you with science-backed information and reminds you why talking about men's health openly can literally save lives.Have a question for a future expert guest? Submit here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-question-submissionWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.orghttps://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Dr. Dubin:https://x.com/justindubinmdhttps://www.instagram.com/justindubinmdhttps://www.themanuppod.comFollow Steven Crocker:https://www.twitter.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this powerful episode of It Takes Balls, Australian guest Matt P shares his extraordinary path to a testicular cancer diagnosis that initially appeared to be a rare and life-threatening sarcoma. What began as persistent back pain, rising blood pressure, and unexplained fatigue spiraled into the discovery of a football-sized tumor wrapped around major organs, including his kidney and psoas muscle. Matt opens up about the terrifying weeks when doctors believed he faced a 40–50% survival rate, until a biopsy revealed something astonishing: the massive abdominal tumor was actually metastatic embryonal carcinoma, a highly aggressive but highly chemo-responsive form of testicular cancer.Matt walks listeners through the intense whirlwind that followed—from emergency oncology appointments to an accelerated BEP chemotherapy trial, dramatic tumor shrinkage, and a complex, multi-surgeon retroperitoneal lymph node dissection that ultimately saved his leg, his kidney, and his life. He candidly discusses the physical toll of chemo, the mental strain of uncertainty, and the resilience required to fight through complications, painful procedures, and the long road to recovery. His story highlights the importance of early detection, knowing the lesser-known symptoms such as back pain from metastatic spread, and advocating for yourself when something feels off.Today, Matt uses his experience to educate other men through TikTok, openly discussing testicular cancer symptoms, chemotherapy side effects, fertility preservation, and life after treatment. His message is clear: listen to your body, don't delay seeking help, and never underestimate the power of community support.Join The Ball Room:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroomWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.org ⁠⁠https://www.x.com/testescancer⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Steven Crocker:https://www.twitter.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Connect with Matt:https://www.tiktok.com/@one.tough.nut.mattTheme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

Scott Capozza, PT, MSPT, is a board-certified physical therapist who specializes in oncology at Yale Cancer Center.More than 20 years ago, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer while in graduate school at age 22. As he explained in an article about his cancer journey, “Suddenly I had to schedule an orchiectomy, a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, and two cycles of chemotherapy around lectures, laboratory work, and practical exams.”Scott shares his experiences with testicular cancer then and now, along with what he's doing to support cancer patients and survivors through physical therapy.  Patient advocacy: Recently, as a patient advocate and testicular cancer survivor, Scott has spoken at conferences to share his lived experiences. He explains this role in the podcast."It almost is our responsibility or our obligation to get in front of these medical providers to say, you have to listen to your patients. You have to make these shared decisions with your patient. You can't blindly take the shotgun approach, give the treatment, and be done with it. You have to factor in quality of life. You have to factor in who that person is..."Hear more from Scott Capozza about his work as an oncology-focused physical therapist, father, patient advocate, and testicular cancer survivor in this episode of Don't Give Up on Testicular Cancer from the Max Mallory Foundation.  Send us a textSupport the showFind us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook & Linkedin. If you can please support our nonprofit through Patreon.

In this powerful episode of It Takes Balls, testicular cancer survivor Jon Reiner shares his rare experience battling the disease twice, 15 years apart. Jon explains how he first noticed symptoms, what his testicle felt like, and he walks through ultrasound, tumor markers, orchiectomy surgery, radiation therapy, and the shock of recurrence after more than a decade.Jon also explores life after losing both testicles — including testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), injections vs topical gel, hormone swings, mood changes, sex drive considerations, and insurance frustrations.He shares how he protected his daughters emotionally, how anxiety and scanxiety impact families, and the importance of community support. Jon talks about empathy, masculinity, vulnerability, and advice for newly diagnosed testicular cancer patients: take symptoms seriously, fight early, and let people help you.Join The Ball Room:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroomWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.orghttps://www.x.com/testescancer⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Steven Crocker:https://www.twitter.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Connect with Jonhttps://www.thejonreiner.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thejonreinerTheme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

To our listeners: Joyce Lofstrom recorded this conversation with testicular cancer survivor Andrew Barrow before the month of Movember. Now, with this month of awareness for men's health in full force, know that the advertising and fundraising efforts Andrew describes in the podcast were active before Movember began and continue throughout the month. Andrew Barrow and Joyce Lofstrom open this podcast with a discussion about Andrew's advertising business, Revenue Arc. Keep listening as the story segues to his testicular cancer story.In fact, testicular cancer doesn't run in Andrew Barrow's family. However, cancer, specifically lymphoma and melanoma, took his grandmother's life. As a kid, Andrew watched Tom Green's MTV documentary on testicular cancer,  where Tom shared his testicular cancer story.  "I was absolutely fascinated by it because I had never heard of testicular cancer. I was probably in middle school at the time, and this blew me away. He had this song that got stuck in my head. The main hook of the song is, 'Check your balls, kids, check them every day.'"And I did. I was scared to death by that moment. I did this routine every day for my entire life, thinking it would never happen to me. And then one day I found a lump."  He was treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, and did not need follow-up treatment after the orchiectomy. He and his wife had one child, and after the surgery, they became pregnant and welcomed their second child.Andrew shares more about his testicular cancer journey, his business, and his philosophy on life: live in the moment, take care of yourself, and enjoy life to the fullest now. Enjoy this episode and others of Don't Give Up on Testicular Cancer from the Max Mallory Foundation.Send us a textSupport the showFind us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook & Linkedin. If you can please support our nonprofit through Patreon.

Dr. Pedro Barata and Dr. Aditya Bagrodia discuss the evolving landscape of testicular cancer survivorship, the impact of treatment-related complications, and management strategies to optimize long-term outcomes and quality of life. TRANSCRIPT:  Dr. Pedro Barata: Hello and welcome to By the Book, a podcast series from ASCO that features engaging conversations between editors and authors of the ASCO Educational Book. I'm Dr. Pedro Barata. I'm a medical oncologist at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and associate professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. I'm also an associate editor of the ASCO Educational Book. We all know that testicular cancer is a rare but highly curable malignancy that mainly affects young men. Multimodal advances in therapy have resulted in excellent cancer specific survival, but testicular cancer survivors face significant long term treatment related toxicities which affect their quality of life and require surveillance and management. With that, I'm very happy today to be joined by Dr. Aditya Bagrodia, a urologic oncologist, professor, and the GU Disease Team lead at UC San Diego[KI1]  Health, and also the lead author of the recently published paper in the ASCO Educational Book titled, "Key Updates in Testicular Cancer: Optimizing Survivorship and Survival." And he's also the host of the world-renowned BackTable Urology Podcast. Dr. Bagrodia, I'm so happy that you're joining us today. Welcome. Dr. Aditya Bagrodia: Thanks, Pedro. Absolutely a pleasure to be here. Really appreciate the opportunity. Dr. Pedro Barata: Absolutely.  So, just to say that our full disclosures are available in the transcript of this episode.  Let's get things started. I'm really excited to talk about this. I'm biased, I do treat testicular cancer among other GU malignancies and so it's a really, really important topic that we face every day, right? Fortunately, for most of these patients, we're able to cure them. But it always comes up the question, "What now? You know, scans, management, cardio oncology, what survivorship programs we have in place? Are we addressing the different survivorship piece, psychology, fertility, et cetera?" So, we'll try to capture all of that today. Aditya, congrats again, you did a fantastic job putting together the insights and thoughts and what we know today about this important topic. And so, let's get focused specifically about what happens when patients get cured. So, many of us, in many centers, were fortunate enough to have these survivorship programs together, but I find that sometimes from talking to colleagues, they're not exactly the same thing and they don't mean the same thing to different people, to different institutions, right? So, first things first. What do you tell a patient perhaps when they ask you, "What can happen to me now that I'm done with treatment for testicular cancer?" Whether it's chemotherapy or just surgery or even radiation therapy? "So, what about the long term? What should I expect, Doctor, that might happen to me in the long run?" Dr. Aditya Bagrodia: Totally. I mean, I think that question's really front and center, Pedro, and really appreciate you all highlighting this topic. It was an absolute honor to work with true thought leaders and the survivorship bit of it is front and center, in my opinion. It's really the focus, you know, we, generally speaking should be able to cure these young men, but it's the 10, 15, 20 years down the way that they're going to largely contend with. The conversation really begins at diagnosis, pre-education. Fortunately, the bulk of patients that present are those with stage one disease, and even very basic things like before orchiectomy, talking about a prosthetic; we know that that can impact body image and self esteem, whether or not they decide to receive it or not. Actually, just being offered a prosthetic is important and this is something, you know, for any urologist, it's kind of critical. To discussing fertility elements to this, taking your time to examine the contralateral testicle, ask about fertility problems, issues, concerns, offer sperm banking, even in the context of a completely normal contralateral testicle, I think these things are quite important.  So if it's somebody with stage one disease, you know, without going too far down discussing adjuvant therapy and so forth, I will start the conversation with, "You know, the testes do largely two things. They make testosterone and they make sperm." By and large, patients are going to be able to have acceptable levels of testosterone, adequate sperm parameters to maintain kind of a normal gonadal state and to naturally conceive, should that be something they're interested in. However, there's still going to be, depending on what resource you look at, somewhere in the order of 10-30% that are going to have issues. Where I think for the stage one patients, it's really incumbent upon us is actually to not wait for them to discuss their concerns, particularly with testosterone, which many times can be a little bit vague, but to proactively ask about it every time. Libido, erectile quality, muscle mass maintenance, energy, fatigue. All of these are kind of associated symptoms of hypogonadism. But for a lot of kids 18-20 years old, it's going to be something insidious that they don't think about. So, for the stage one patients, it absolutely starts with gonadal function. If they are stage two getting surgery, I think the counseling really needs to center around a possibility for ejaculatory dysfunction. Now, for a chemotherapy-naive, nerve-sparing RPLND, generally these days we should be able to preserve ejaculatory function at high volume centers, but you still want to bring that up and again kind of touch base on thinking about sperm banking and so forth before the operation, scars, those are things I think worth talking about, small risk of ascites. Then, I think the intensity of potential long term adverse effects really ramps up when we're talking about systemic therapy, chemotherapy. And then there's of course some radiation therapy specific elements that come up. So, for the chemotherapy bits of it, I really think this is going to be something that can be a complete multi-system affected intervention. So, anxiety, depression, our group has actually shown using some population resources that even suicidality can be increased among patients that have been treated for germ cell tumor. You know, really from the top down, tinnitus, hearing changes, those are things that we need to ask about at every appointment. Neuropathy, sexual health, that we kind of talked about, including ED (erectile dysfunction), vertigo, dizziness, Raynaud's phenomenon, these are kind of more the symptoms that I think we need to inquire about every time. And what we do here and I think at a lot of survivorship programs is use kind of a battery of validated instruments, germ cell tumor specific, platinum treated patient specific. So we use a combination of EORTC questions and PROMIS questions, which actually serves as like a review of systems for the patient, also as a research element. We review that and then depending on what might be going on, we can dig into that further, get them over to colleagues in audiology or psychology, et cetera.  And then of course, screening for the hypertension, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome with basically you or myself or somebody kind of like us serving, many times it's the role of the PCP, just making sure we're checking out, you know, CBC, CMP, et cetera, lipid parameters to screen for those kind of cardiac associated issues along with secondary malignancies. Dr. Pedro Barata: So that's super comprehensive and thorough. Thank you so much. Actually, I love how you break it down in a simple way. Two functions of the testes, produce testosterone and then, you know, the problem related to that is the hypogonadism, and then the second, as you mentioned, produce sperm and of course related to the fertility issues with that.  So, let's start with the first one that you mentioned. So, you do cite that in your paper, around 5-10% of men end up getting, developing hypogonadism, maybe clinical when they present with symptoms, maybe subclinical. So, I'm wondering, for our audience, what kind of recommendations we would give for addressing that or kind of thinking of that? How often are you ordering those tests? And then, when you're thinking about testosterone replacement therapy, is that something you do immediately or are there any guidelines into context that? How do you approach that? Dr. Aditya Bagrodia: So, just a bit more on digging into it even in terms of the questions to ask, you know, "Do you have any decrease in sexual drive? Any erectile dysfunction? Are your morning erections still taking place? Has the ejaculate volume changed? Physically, muscle mass, strength? Have you been putting on weight? Have you noticed increase in body fat?" And sometimes this is complicated because there's some anxiety that comes along with a cancer diagnosis when you're 20, 30 years old, multifactorial, hair loss, hot flashes, irritability. Sometimes they'll, you know, literally they'll say, "You know, my significant other or partners noticed that I'm really just a little bit labile." So I think, you know, there's the symptoms and then checking, usually kind of a gonadal panel, FSH, LH, free and total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, that's going to be typically pretty comprehensive. So if you've got symptoms plus some laboratory work, and ideally that pre-orchiectomy testosterone gives you some delta. If they started out at an 800, 900, now they're 400, that might be a big change for them. And then, when you talk about TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) recommendations, you know, Pedro, yourself, myself, we're kind of lucky to be at academic centers and we've got men's health colleagues that are ultra experts, but at a high level, I would say that a lot of the TRT options center around fertility goals. Exogenous testosterone treats the low T, but it does suppress gonadal function, including spermatogenesis. So if that's not a priority, they can just get TRT. It should be done under the care of a urologist, a men's health, an endocrinologist, where we're checking liver chemistries and CBCs and a PSA and so forth. If they're interested in fertility preservation, then I would say engaging an endocrinologist, men's health expert is important. There's medications even like hCG, Clomid, which works centrally and stimulate the gonadal access. Niche scenarios where they might want standard TRT now, and then down the way, 5, 7 years, they're thinking about coming off of that for fertility purposes, I think that's really where you want to have an expert involved because there's quite a bit of nuance there in recovery of actual spermatogenesis and so forth.  To kind of summarize, you got to ask about it. Checking it is, is not overly complicated. We do a baseline pre-orchiectomy and at least once annually, you can tag it in with the tumor markers, so it's not an extra blood draw. And if they have symptoms of course, kind of developed, then we'll move that up in the evaluation. Dr. Pedro Barata: Got it. And you also touch base on the fertility angle, which is truly important. And I'm just curious, you know, a lot of times many of us might see one, two patients a year, right, and we forget these protocols and what we've got to do about that.  And so I'm interested to hear your thoughts about when you think about fertility, and how proactive you get. In other words, who do you refer for the fertility clinic, for a fertility preservation program? You know, do all cases despite getting through orchiectomy or just the cases that you're going to, you know you're going to seek chemotherapy at some point? What kind of selection or it depends on the chemo, like how do you do that assessment about the referral for preservation program that you might have available at UCSD? Dr. Aditya Bagrodia: Yeah, I mean I feel really fortunate to sit on the NCCN Testis Cancer Guidelines. It's in there that fertility counseling should be discussed prior to orchiectomy. So 100% bring it up. If there are risk factors, undescended testicles, previous history of fertility concerns, atrophic contralateral testicle, anything on the ultrasound like microlithiasis in the contralateral testicle, you kind of wanna get it there. And then again, there's kind of niche scenarios where you're really worried, maybe get a semen analysis and it doesn't look that good, arrange for the time of orchiectomy to have onco-testicular sperm extraction from the, quote unquote, "normal" testis parenchyma. You know, I think you have to be kind of prepared to go that route and really make sure you're doing this completely comprehensively.  So pre-orchiectomy all patients. Don't really push for it too hard if they've got a contralateral testicle, if they've had no issues having children. There's some cost associated with this, sperm banking still isn't kind of covered even in the context of men with cancer. If they've got risk factors, absolutely pre-orchiectomy. Pre-RPLND, even though the rates of ejaculatory dysfunction at a high-volume center should be low single digits, I'll still offer it. That'd be a real catastrophe if they were in that small proportion of patients and now they're going to be reliant on things like intrauterine insemination, where it becomes quite expensive.  Pre-chemo, everybody. That's basically a standard these days where it should be discussed and it's kind of amazing currently, even if you don't have an accessible men's health fertility clinic, there are actually companies, I have no vested interest, Fellow is one such company where you can actually create an account, receive a FedEx semen analysis and cryopreservation kit, send it back in, and all CLIA certified, it's based out of California. The gentleman that runs it, is a urologist and very, very bright guy who's done a lot of great stuff for testis cancer. So, even for patients that are kind of in extremis at the hospital that kind of need to get going like yesterday, we still discuss it. We've got some mechanisms in place to either have them take a semen analysis over to our Men's Health clinic or send it off to Fellow, which I think is pretty cool and that even extends to some of our younger adolescent patients where going to a clinic and providing a sample might be tricky.  So, I think bringing it up every stage, anytime there's an intervention that might be offered, orchiectomy, chemo, surgery, radiation, it's kind of incumbent on us to discuss it. Dr. Pedro Barata: Gotcha. That's super helpful. And you also touch base on another angle, which is the psychosocial angle around this. You mentioned suicidal rates, you mentioned anxiety, perhaps depression in some cases as well as chronic fatigue, not necessarily just because of the low testosterone that you can get, but also from a psychological perspective. I'm curious, what do the recommendations look like for that? Do these patients need to see a social worker or a psychologist, or do they need to answer a screening test every time they come to see us and then based on that, we kind of escalate, take the next steps according to that? Do they see a psychologist perhaps every so often? How should that be managed and addressed? Dr. Aditya Bagrodia: It's an excellent question and again, these can be rather insidious symptoms where if you don't really dig in and inquire, they can be glossed over. I mean, how easy to say, "Your markers look okay, your scans look okay. See you in six months," and keep it kind of brief. First off, I think bringing it up proactively and normalizing it, that, "This may be something that you experience. Many people do, you're not alone, there's nothing kind of wrong with you." I also think that this is an area where support groups can be incredibly useful. We host the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation support group here. They'll talk about chemo brain or just like a little bit of an adjustment disorder after their diagnosis. Support groups, I think are critical. As I mentioned, we have a survivorship program that's led by a combination of our med oncs, myself on the uro-onc side, as well as APPs, where we are systematically asking about essentially the whole litany of issues that may arise, including psychosocial, anxiety, depression, suicidality. And we've got a nice kind of fast path into our cancer center support services for these young men to meet with a psychologist. If that isn't going to be sufficient, they can actually see a psychiatrist to discuss medications and so forth. I do think that we've got to screen for these because, as anticipated from diagnosis, those first 2 years, we see a rise. But even 10, 15 years out, we note, compared to controls, that there is an increased level of anxiety, depression, suicidality that might not just take place at that initial acute period of diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Pedro Barata: Really well said. Super important.  So I guess if I were to put all these together, with these really amazing advances in technology, we all know AI, some of us might be more or less aware of biomarkers coming up, including microRNA for example, and others, like as I think of all these potential long term complications for these patients, look at the future, I guess, can we use this as a way to deescalate treatment where it's not really necessary, as a way to actually prevent some of these complications? Like, how do we see where we're heading? As we manage testicular cancer, let's say, within the next 5 or 10 years, do you think there's something coming up that's going to be different from what we're doing things today? Dr. Aditya Bagrodia: Totally. I mean, I think it's as exciting as a time as there's ever been, you know, maybe notwithstanding circa 1970s when platinum was discovered. So microRNAs, which you mentioned, you know, there's a new candidate biomarker, microRNA-371. We are super excited here at UCSD. We actually have it CLIA-certified available in our lab and are ordering these tests for patients kind of in their acute stage, you know, stage one and surveillance, stage two, post-RPLND, receiving chemotherapy. And essentially this is a universal germ cell tumor specific biomarker, except for teratoma, suffice it to say 90% sensitive and specific. And I think it's going to change the way that we diagnose and manage patients. You know, pre-orchiectomy, that's pretty straightforward. Post-orchiectomy, maybe we can really decrease the number of CT scans that are done. Maybe we can identify those patients that basically have occult disease where we can intervene early, either with RPLND or single cycle chemo. Post-RPLND, identify the patients who are at higher risk of relapse that may benefit from some adjuvant therapy. In the advanced setting, look at marker decline for patients in addition to standard tumor markers. Can we modulate their systemic therapy?  So, the international interest is largely on modifying things. There's really cool clinical trials that we have for stage one patients, that treatment would be prescribed based on a post-orchiectomy microRNA. I think the microRNAs are really exciting. Teratoma remains an outstanding question. I think this is where maybe ctDNA, perhaps some radiomics and advanced imaging processing and incorporating AI may allow us to safely avoid a lot of these post-chemo RPLNDs. And then identification using SNPs and so forth of who might be most susceptible to some of the cardiac toxicity, autotoxicity and personalizing things in that way as well. Dr. Pedro Barata: Super exciting, right, what's about to come? And I agree with you, I think it's going to change dramatically how we manage this disease.  This has been a pleasure sitting down with you. I guess before letting you go, anything else you'd like to add before we wrap it up? Dr. Aditya Bagrodia: Yeah, first off, again, just want to thank you and ASCO for the opportunity. And it's easy enough to, I think, approach a patient with the testicular germ cell tumor as, "This is an easy case. We're just going to do whatever we've done. Go to the guidelines that says do X, Y, or Z." But there's so much more nuance to it than that. Getting it done perfectly, I think, is mandatory. Whatever we do is an impact on them for the next 50, 60, 70 years of their life. And I found the germ cell tumor community, people are really passionate about it. If you're ever uncertain, there's experts throughout the country and internationally. Ask somebody before you do something that you can't undo. I think we owe it to them to get it perfect so that we can really maximize the survivorship and the survival like we've been talking about. Dr. Pedro Barata: Aditya, thanks for sharing your fantastic insights with us on this podcast. Dr. Aditya Bagrodia: All right, Pedro. Fantastic. Appreciate the opportunity. Dr. Pedro Barata: And also, thank you to our listeners for your time today. I actually encourage you to check out Dr. Bagrodia's article in the 2025 ASCO Educational Book. We'll post a link to the paper in the show notes. Remember, it's free access online, and you can actually download it as well as a PDF. You can also find on the website a wealth of other great papers from the ASCO Educational Book on key advances and novel approaches that are shaping modern oncology.  So with that, thank you everyone. Thank you, Aditya, one more time, for joining us. Thank you, have a good day. Disclaimer: The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity, or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement. Follow today's speakers:         Dr. Pedro Barata  @PBarataMD   Dr. Aditya Bagrodia @AdityaBagrodia Follow ASCO on social media:         @ASCO on X (formerly Twitter)         ASCO on Bluesky        ASCO on Facebook         ASCO on LinkedIn         Disclosures:      Dr. Pedro Barata:  Stock and Other Ownership Interests: Luminate Medical  Honoraria: UroToday  Consulting or Advisory Role: Bayer, BMS, Pfizer, EMD Serono, Eisai, Caris Life Sciences, AstraZeneca, Exelixis, AVEO, Merck, Ipson, Astellas Medivation, Novartis, Dendreon  Speakers' Bureau: AstraZeneca, Merck, Caris Life Sciences, Bayer, Pfizer/Astellas  Research Funding (Inst.): Exelixis, Blue Earth, AVEO, Pfizer, Merck   Dr. Aditya Bagrodia: Consulting or Advisory Role: Veracyte, Ferring  

Freshly into adulthood, Peyton Dickinson was balancing school and setting new PRs when a sudden swelling in his testicle turned out to be testicular cancer. What followed was an unexpected journey through diagnosis, surgery, and chemotherapy.In this episode of It Takes Balls, Peyton shares his raw and honest story — from early symptoms to learning the importance of self-exams and early detection. He opens up about what it was like losing his hair, managing treatment fatigue, and finding motivation in the support of family, teammates, and faith. Peyton's story sheds light on the physical and mental toll of testicular cancer in young men, while offering hope and perspective to anyone facing it today.Join The Ball Room:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroomWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.orghttps://www.x.com/testescancer⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Steven Crocker: https://www.twitter.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Connect with Peyton:www.youtube.com/ ⁨@PeytonDLifts⁩https://www.instagram.com/peytond_lifts/Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

After the heartbreaking loss of his brother Robin to germ cell cancer at just 24, Toby Freeman and his family turned grief into action, founding a charity that has become the UK's leading voice for young people's cancer awareness.This candid conversation reveals the raw emotions behind the inception of the charity, detailing both the challenges and the triumphs that come with building a family-led mission in the wake of such profound loss.We've seldom heard such a moving story of a family bringing together their combined strengths to save lives, with familial love at the heart of every move they make…

Dan Korte found out he had testicular cancer in 2008. The diagnosis, he said, changed his life forever and led him down a dark path in life. His introduction to testicular cancer actually began in 7th grade during the required physical before joining the football team. She found a varicocele on one of his testicles and recommended that he see a specialist. He did, and each year, Dan had an annual scan to manage this diagnosis until around age 19 in 2008. In this episode of Don't Give Up on Testicular Cancer, Dan shares details about his testicular cancer diagnosis and treatment, including the path of drinking and partying he traveled for a few years.Dan had the idea in 2012 to establish a community, including an apparel company, for people who have gone through struggles and challenges in life. In 2017, this idea became a reality after a coffee shop conversation with a woman he met who changed his life. He established Riseabove, a community where individuals who have experienced or are going through challenging situations in life can recover through fitness and nutrition. As noted on the company's website, "At Riseabove, we redefine fitness apparel by celebrating resilience and personal transformation. Life's challenges leave scars, but those scars are proof of strength, courage, and growth. Whether you're overcoming struggles like weight loss, mental health challenges, or personal setbacks, our mission is to empower your fitness journey, foster belonging in a supportive community, and inspire pride in rising above adversity."Learn more about the Riseabove apparel and community. Enjoy this podcast from the Max Mallory Foundation. Send us a textSupport the showFind us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook & Linkedin. If you can please support our nonprofit through Patreon.

Celebrate 100 episodes of It Takes Balls, the podcast dedicated to raising awareness and sharing real stories from men affected by testicular cancer. Recorded live at the 10th Annual Testicular Cancer Conference in Boston, this milestone episode features survivors, past guests, and medical experts reflecting on the impact of the show and the progress made in testicular cancer education, treatment, and survivorship.Hear inspiring updates from past guests like Brian Vesall, Nickalaus Goodman, Zak Dahlheimer, and Cristian Alvizo, along with insights from Dr. Rich Matulewicz on survivorship and quality of life. This episode captures what It Takes Balls is all about — connection, awareness, and hope for every man facing this disease.Join The Ball Room:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroomWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.orghttps://www.x.com/testescancer⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Steven Crocker:https://www.twitter.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

Nikola Topić Diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. Todd Fuhrman Week 10 Picks! Thunder/Wizards Tonight! High School Round Up! OU/Tennessee! MUCH MORE!!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textUrologist Dr. Yaw Nyame joins Dr. Michael Koren to discuss bladder and prostate cancers. Dr. Nyame talks about his journey through college - including the choice between rock stardom and medical school - and how he got to the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle. Dr. Nyame explains symptoms, the history, and treatments for prostate and bladder cancer. He tells us "if you have blood in the urine, you definitely want to get to your primary care doctor." He also expands on gaps in cancer outcomes for Black men. Along the way, we weigh benefits and harms of PSA screening and talk honestly about sexual health after treatment.Show Note: Lynch syndrome is a genetic condition also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). It represents an increased risk of several cancers, including colorectal, endometrial, gastric, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer. It is caused by an error in the DNA mismatch repair mechanism, which normally corrects for random insertions into the DNA code.Be a part of advancing science by participating in clinical research.Have a question for Dr. Koren? Email him at askDrKoren@MedEvidence.comListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsWatch on YouTubeShare with a friend. Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the MedEvidence! podcast to be notified when new episodes are released.Follow us on Social Media:FacebookInstagramX (Formerly Twitter)LinkedInWant to learn more? Checkout our entire library of podcasts, videos, articles and presentations at www.MedEvidence.comMusic: Storyblocks - Corporate InspiredThank you for listening!

Board-certified urologist Dr. Jason B. Carter explains his role in the diagnosis of testicular cancer."It's important to understand that when you have a diagnosis like testicular cancer, to some degree, the urologist may be the quarterback in the beginning. With testicular cancer, the urologist is going to be the one you meet, get the initial procedures done, and do the post-op follow-up."I'm very fortunate to have an excellent radiation oncologist that I work with, and very fortunate to have a couple of very, very good medical oncologists that I work with."Definitely anytime you have any kind of cancer, including testicular cancer, it is always a team approach." He shares his insights on treating testicular patients at Unity Urology, his practice in East Tennessee. He has been providing quality urologic care since 2003 and opened Unity Urology in 2006 in Greenville, Tennessee. Other urologic conditions to know about: Dr. Carter talks about other urologic conditions such as low testosterone, other hormone therapies for men and women, infertility, incontinence, and erectile disfunction. He is a medical advisor for Aeroflow Urology.Dr. Carter's medical degree is from East Tennessee University. He completed a residency at the University Hospital and clinics in Columbia, Missouri. He is board-certified in urology by the American Board of Urology and a member of the American Urological Association and the Tennessee Medical Association. Send us a textSupport the showFind us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook & Linkedin. If you can please support our nonprofit through Patreon.

At just 15 years old, Mike Oshinski was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer — at a time when awareness was almost nonexistent. In this powerful episode of It Takes Balls, Mike shares his journey from a small-town high school athlete to surviving stage 3C metastatic testicular cancer with the help of Dr. Lawrence Einhorn's groundbreaking cisplatin-based chemotherapy.He describes months of grueling treatment, multiple surgeries including a partial liver resection and RPLND, and the emotional toll of fighting for survival as a teenager. Mike also reflects on the legacy of that battle from the long-term side effects and emotional healing to the incredible full-circle moment when his own son faced a testicular cancer diagnosis decades later.This episode is a must-listen for anyone affected by testicular cancer, offering insight, hope, and perspective from one of the early success stories of modern testicular cancer treatment.Join The Ball Room:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroomWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.org ⁠https://www.x.com/testescancer⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Steven Crocker:https://www.twitter.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Connect with Mike:Michael.oshinski@outlook.comTheme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

Jesse Beck's journey with stage 3 testicular cancer began in an unexpected way: persistent back pain. At first, he chalked it up to getting older or from dancing again after years away, but the pain escalated until he could hardly walk or sit. Doctors initially suspected autoimmune issues, but tests eventually revealed enlarged lymph nodes, a tumor pressing into his spine, and dangerous blood clots in his iliac veins.His diagnosis of 100% seminoma was both devastating and a relief - devastating because the tumor had spread, but a relief because seminoma typically responds well to chemotherapy. Jesse endured multiple ER visits, a painful orchiectomy, blood thinners, and three rounds of BEP chemotherapy. Within days of starting treatment, he felt the first real relief from the crushing spinal pain.Throughout his journey, dance became his anchor. Even while using a cane and conserving energy, Jesse continued choreographing and teaching ballet classes as a way to hold onto joy and creativity during treatment. Support from his family and friends in both California and New York helped carry him through long hospital stays, setbacks, and scanxiety.Now in remission but still managing lingering blood clots, Jesse is focusing on rebuilding both physically and mentally. His story is a reminder that back pain can be an overlooked symptom of testicular cancer, and that recovery is not just about being “cured," it's also about navigating life after treatment with patience, resilience, and support.Join The Ball Room:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroomWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.org ⁠https://www.x.com/testescancer⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Steven Crocker: https://www.twitter.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Connect with Jesse:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-beck/Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this episode of It Takes Balls, 26-year-old survivor Jonny King shares his powerful story of discovering a testicular lump, receiving a cancer diagnosis, and navigating treatment through the UK's National Health Service (NHS).Jonny first noticed his symptoms during a self-exam - an essential tool in the early detection of testicular cancer. Within weeks, he was on the urgent cancer pathway, undergoing blood tests, scans, and ultimately an orchiectomy (orchidectomy) to remove the testicle. While the initial surgery was successful, his tumor markers continued to rise, leading to chemotherapy and later an RPLND (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection) to remove residual disease.He opens up about the emotional and physical challenges of treatment, including hair loss, isolation during chemo, recovery after major surgery, and the lasting impact on fertility and body image. Jonny also reflects on what it means to navigate survivorship as a young gay man, underscoring the importance of mental health support and community connection after cancer.Now in remission, Jonny is determined to raise awareness by sharing his story, encouraging monthly self-exams, and reminding others that early detection of testicular cancer saves lives. His journey offers valuable insights for anyone searching for answers about testicular cancer symptoms, treatment, or life after cancer.Join The Ball Room:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroomWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.orghttps://www.x.com/testescancer⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Steven Crocker: https://www.twitter.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Connect with Jonny:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathankingbio/Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

It's been a decade since PJ Branco's testicular cancer diagnosis in 2015. In early August 2025, he completed his third year as a participant in the PanMassChallenge⁩ with his personal goal to raise $10,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The two-day race covers 186 miles, and PJ is one of 1,000 living proof cyclists and volunteers who have been previously or are currently being treated for cancer. All the money raised in this charity event goes directly to cancer care at this treatment center.PJ was the third member of his family to survive cancer. His mom learned she had breast cancer in 2005, and his father received his colon cancer diagnosis a few years later when PJ was in college. In 2015, PJ had his right testicle removed, and three months later, when a scan showed an inflamed lymph node in his back, he underwent chemotherapy. He compares his cycling stamina in 2025 to a time during 2015. After the removal of his right testicle and chemotherapy, PJ considered it an accomplishment to walk up and down his driveway. Now, 10 years later, he talks about life with his wife and four-year-old son, and his dedication to giving back to the cancer institute that treated him and his mother. As he explained in the podcast, "I now give back to those who helped save my life." He shares his story in this episode of Don't Give Up on Testicular Cancer from the Max Mallory Foundation.  Send us a textSupport the showFind us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook & Linkedin. If you can please support our nonprofit through Patreon.

In this deeply reflective episode of It Takes Balls, testicular cancer survivor David Rimmer shares a powerful story of diagnosis, survivorship, and resilience that spans more than 30 years. Diagnosed in 1992 at age 32, long before awareness campaigns or internet support groups, David navigated cancer with little guidance, learning to advocate for himself and seek out the best possible care.From his initial orchiectomy to his choice to travel to Indiana University for a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) under the legendary Dr. Donohue, David walks listeners through the confusion, trauma, and empowerment that defined his treatment journey. He discusses the impact of possible infertility, the psychological toll of recovery, and the importance of acting as a “medical consumer” to ensure the highest level of care.David's story doesn't end with testicular cancer. In the years that followed, he faced multiple additional diagnoses - chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), basal cell carcinoma, and low-grade prostate cancer. Yet through it all, he has maintained a sense of perspective, purpose, and humor. He opens up about how survivorship reshaped his identity, the long shadow cancer casts over even the cleanest scans, and how he finds comfort in staying proactive with his health.A near-death experience during a midair collision over the Amazon adds a surreal layer to David's story - a reminder that surviving isn't just about beating disease, but about what we do with the time we're given. Now, he gives back through bone marrow and stem cell courier missions.Whether you're newly diagnosed, decades into remission, or supporting someone through cancer, David's voice is a reminder of how survivorship evolves over time, and how sharing your story might be the most powerful form of healing.Join The Ball Room:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroomWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.orghttps://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgFollow Steven Crocker: https://www.twitter.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Connect with David:djr1010@yahoo.comTheme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

I'm joined by the amazing Kevin Long, who has healed himself from testicular cancer and not only that, this was his second cancer journey, having faced a brain tumour at just 11 years old. What makes Kevin's story so powerful is how he leaned into his deep spiritual gifts, his understanding of energy and his long-time experience with Neuro Linguistic Programming, NLP, to walk away from chemo and embrace self-healing, fully. And spoiler alert: it worked. His checkups came back all clear.This episode is a raw, moving and uplifting reminder that our minds and bodies hold incredible power and that healing is truly possible when we align ourselves with that power. Let's dive in...00:00 Introduction 01:02 Kevin's story03:33 You have cancer 05:34 Healing with NLP09:00 Blessings in life13:35 Book recommendation 15:06 Spiritual healing 17:30 Tip for healing testicular cancerKevin's BioKevin is the founder of Babysteps Publishing and is widely recognized as the #1 Publisher for Business Professionals. He has mastered the art of establishing unshakeable authority in any field by helping clients achieve one powerful milestone: becoming a published author.With firsthand experience of the challenges business professionals face, Kevin has developed the proven 17-Day Book Writing Method. This innovative approach has resulted in the creation of over 650 #1 bestsellers, positioning countless professionals as respected authorities in their industries. Under his leadership, Babysteps Publishing has earned accolades such as Best Book Publishing Company, consistently delivering exceptional results across diverse sectors.Kevin's work with global professionals has highlighted three key obstacles that often prevent aspiring authors from taking the leap:Uncertainty about creating content that resonates with ideal clients.Lack of a clear framework for structuring a professional business book.Limited access to professional publishing expertise and support.To address these challenges, Kevin has refined a 5-step process that ensures success:Books are tailored to solve the target market's most pressing challenges.Clients leverage Babysteps' globally recognized system, proven effective by hundreds of professionals.Authority is immediately established through a bestselling book launch strategy.The Write|Build|Grow Formula allows clients to complete their books in just 17 days, backed by a satisfaction guarantee.Kevin's clients consistently achieve remarkable results, including:A corporate consultant securing a six-figure government contract within six weeks of publication.A legal professional generating over £30,000 in new business within eight weeks.A business coach doubling their client base within three months of their book launch.Kevin's mission is simple: to help business professionals elevate their authority and transform their businesses through the power of publishing.Contact Kevin https://www.babystepspublishing.comhttps://www.facebook.com/thekindleking/https://www.linkedin.com/in/thekindleking/https://www.instagram.com/thekindleking/https://x.com/thekindleking08Who am I?Sarah is a highly sought-after Holistic Health and Healing Coach, International Speaker and the Author of HEAL YOURSELF.She's also a Multi-Award-Winning Entrepreneur and Award Winning Host of the popular health-focused podcast, Heal Yourself with Sarah Dawkins. As a former Registered Nurse with over twenty years of medical experience, Sarah brings a unique, integrative perspective to her work. Sarah's expertise spans from self-healing multiple chronic health issues to supporting clients in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, empowering them to achieve vibrant, lasting health and transformative wellness.www-sarahdawkins.com#testicularcancer #healingcancer #testicularhealth #testicularpain #healingjourney #healingnaturally

A brief overview of testicular cancer

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Mayo Clinic's Dr. Chris Ray (cardio-oncology specialist) and Dr. Bryan Taylor (exercise physiologist) break down what every testicular cancer patient and survivor should know about protecting their heart, rebuilding their strength, and monitoring long-term health after treatment.The discussion dives into how certain chemotherapies - especially those used for testicular cancer - can quietly weaken blood vessels and heart tissue, even in young men. With cardiovascular disease being the leading long-term cause of death in cancer survivors, Dr. Ray explains why testicular cancer treatment should always include proactive cardiac screening and long-term fitness monitoring.Dr. Taylor adds depth by explaining the science of VO₂ testing and why cardiorespiratory fitness is one of the most powerful predictors of overall health. The doctors make a compelling case for “exercise as medicine,” outlining how even light movement during chemo, and structured training after, can dramatically reduce risk and speed up recovery.The episode also covers important topics like testosterone replacement therapy, understanding elevated heart rates during recovery, and why many survivors feel “ten years older on the inside” after chemo. Both experts emphasize that rebuilding your fitness is a long game, but one worth investing in early and consistently.Whether you're newly diagnosed or 10 years out, this conversation offers actionable guidance on improving quality of life, extending longevity, and asking your care team the right questions to protect your whole-body health starting with your heart.Have a question for a future expert guest? Submit here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-question-submissionWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.orghttps://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgDr. Ray:https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/ray-chris-m-d/bio-20470913Dr. Taylor:https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/taylor-bryan-j-ph-d/bio-20527883Follow Steven Crocker:https://www.twitter.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

When you go in for testicular cancer surgery, do they offer you a scrotal facelift while they're down there? We ask the important questions. This week is a wild ride through Taaha's diagnosis in grade 12. Taha talks about the pressure to be strong for his family, how the other testicle "kicks up into overdrive" to pick up the slack, and the incredible nurses who inspired him to change his life's path. Now a registered nurse and a fierce advocate for the Canadian Cancer Society, Taaha is using his experience to help others and expose the staggering out-of-pocket costs that come with our "free" healthcare system.You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube.Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

The show opens with Adam explaining why people should be required to have a license to travel on planes, why airports need traffic cameras, how Andy Dick singlehandedly caused numerous podcasters to move their show into a studio, the soundtrack at his barbershop, and Bill Maher & Jane Fonda tangling over California's tendency to overregulate. Next, Jason “Mayhem” Miller reads the news including stories about President Biden pardoning his son Hunter and “Jan 6ers” getting nervous about Trump's post-election silence about their pardons, Nick Cannon admitting that he's seeking help for his narcissistic personality disorder, and Mark Zuckerberg dining with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Then, comedian Des Bishop makes his first visit to ACS to talk about having a testicle removed, getting sent to boarding school in Ireland at 14, the difference between Irish and New York comedy crowds, and learning Mandarin to perform in China. For more with Des Bishop: ● NEW SPECIAL: Of All People - Available on YouTube ● INSTAGRAM:@desbishop ● TWITTER/X: @desbishop ● WEBSITE: desbishop.net ● LIVE SHOWS: ○ Biltmore Cabaret - Vancouver, BC: Dec. 5th ○ Laughs Comedy Club - Seattle, WA: Dec. 6th & 7th Thank you for supporting our sponsors: ● http://SimpliSafe.com/Adam ● Aura.com/Trust ● http://Hydrow.com and use code ADAM ● For a limited time, get 20% off your entire order with code ACS at PublicRec.com ● http://OReillyAuto.com/Adam