In this episode of It Takes Balls, Dr. Sia Daneshmand, a leading urologic oncologist at USC, joins the conversation to break down the realities of testicular cancer treatment, surgery, and long-term outcomes. Known for his expertise in complex cases and extraperitoneal RPLNDs, Dr. Daneshmand shares how advances in surgery and a personalized approach to care are improving survival while reducing unnecessary treatment.

The discussion dives into critical decisions patients face after diagnosis, including when surveillance vs. treatment is appropriate and how factors like tumor type, staging, and risk influence the path forward. Dr. Daneshmand explains the role of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), when it’s necessary, and how surgical expertise can dramatically impact outcomes and quality of life.

Beyond treatment, this episode explores the importance of being treated at high-volume centers, avoiding overtreatment, and understanding the long-term effects of both surgery and chemotherapy. Dr. Daneshmand also discusses the status and future of MicroRNA 371 biomarker testing.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, considering surgery, or learning more about testicular cancer treatment options, this episode provides trusted insight from one of the leading experts in the field helping patients make informed decisions with confidence.

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Dr. Daneshmand:

https://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/siamak-daneshmand/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sia-daneshmand-m-d-569166b/

https://x.com/siadaneshmand

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Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Osvaldo Castro shares his experience with testicular cancer 15 years ago as a 24-year-old man of Mexican descent. At first, he ignored what felt like a lump and assumed it was a hernia. But over the course of several months, the lump grew heavier and more painful, eventually causing back pain — one of the lesser-realized symptoms of testicular cancer. By the time he finally sought help, doctors told him he was dangerously close to the cancer spreading beyond his abdomen.

Osvaldo walks through the shock of hearing “you have cancer,” undergoing an orchiectomy, and waking up to learn that the his testicle had been completely removed. He candidly describes the emotional reality of losing a testicle, the confusion around what doctors were removing, and the relief of finally being free from the constant pain after surgery. His story is an important reminder that testicular cancer symptoms can include a lump, swelling, heaviness, and persistent back pain — and that early detection can save your life.

The episode also explores the experience of navigating cancer as a young Hispanic man. Osvaldo discusses how testicular cancer is rarely talked about in his community, not because of stigma, but because men simply are not taught to do regular testicular self-exams or talk openly about their health. He reflects on chemotherapy, financial stress, qualifying for emergency Medicaid when he could no longer work as a welder, and the long-term side effects that followed treatment — including fatigue, low endurance, and low testosterone. Years later, he wants other survivors to know to ask their doctor about testosterone testing and to advocate for their own health after treatment ends.

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Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

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.

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Connect with Greg:

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Theme 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.

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Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this powerful episode of It Takes Balls, Justin Sandler shares his extraordinary journey with a primary mediastinal germ cell tumor, a rare form of testicular cancer that developed in his chest — not his testicles. After months of unexplained chest spasms and being told it was muscular, a CT scan revealed a rapidly growing 14cm tumor pressing against his heart and lung. Doctors at UCLA delivered a sobering reality: without aggressive treatment, the tumor could crush his heart.

Justin underwent four rounds of VIP chemotherapy (cisplatin, etoposide, and ifosfamide), administered inpatient 24 hours a day for a week at a time. He openly discusses the brutal side effects of chemo, including severe pain, tinnitus from cisplatin, dangerously low platelet counts, and the emotional toll of living in the oncology ward.

After chemo reduced the tumor to a dead mass, he endured an 8.5-hour open chest surgery, losing two-thirds of his right lung, part of his heart wall, and major veins that had to be reconstructed.

But the fight didn’t end there. Just months later, Justin experienced a life-threatening cardiac tamponade, requiring emergency heart surgery while awake. Through it all, he leaned on a philosophy he calls “Embrace Love Free” — choosing acceptance, mindset, movement, and service over anger and victimhood. From walking hospital laps with his chemo pole to performing a one-man show about his experience, Justin transformed trauma into purpose.

This episode explores rare extragonadal germ cell tumors, aggressive chemotherapy for testicular cancer, major thoracic surgery, survivorship challenges, post-cancer depression, and the mental resilience required to rebuild life after treatment. It’s a must-listen for anyone facing testicular cancer, rare cancers, chemotherapy, or long-term cancer recovery.

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Theme 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:

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Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:

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Dr. Feldman:

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/darren-feldman

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Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Brian Carlson shares his powerful and rare experience of being diagnosed with testicular cancer twice, nearly a decade apart — first with an aggressive non-seminoma germ cell tumor, and later with seminoma affecting his remaining testicle. Diagnosed in his mid-20s the first time, Brian walks through how subtle pain led to rapid imaging, orchiectomy, and three cycles of BEP chemotherapy, followed by years of surveillance and recovery.

Brian then speaks on the physical and mental toll of treatment, including the realities of chemotherapy side effects, trauma-related memory gaps, hearing loss, and long-term survivorship challenges. Brian opens up about navigating work, marriage, and mental health during treatment, as well as the shock of discovering a second testicular cancer diagnosis years later — this time during a period of major life upheaval that included separation, a new job, and relocation.

Brian also offers an honest look at life after bilateral orchiectomy, including the challenges of low testosterone, delays in testosterone replacement therapy, mood changes, and learning to advocate for himself medically. He explains how testosterone replacement ultimately may have helped normalize tumor markers. The episode closes with Brian’s reflections on survivorship, the importance of community, and why speaking openly about testicular cancer, men’s mental health, and self-advocacy can make a life-saving difference.

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Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

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.

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Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

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.

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https://www.instagram.com/colinsingsopera/

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Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Mohammad shares his rarely heard and emotionally complex journey through a testicular tumor diagnosis that ultimately turned out to be benign, but not without life-altering consequences. After noticing a slow-growing lump in his testicle over several years, Mohammad sought medical advice and was told removal was urgent, with little discussion of alternative options such as watchful waiting or partial orchiectomy. Living in Iran, where conversations around men’s health and testicular issues remain highly stigmatized, Mohammad faced his diagnosis largely without community support, limited patient education, and few culturally accessible resources.

Mohammad opens up about the devastating realization that his tumor may not have required full removal and the lasting impact that decision has had on his self-image, sexuality, fertility concerns, and mental health. He speaks candidly about regret, masculinity, dating after surgery, and the emotional toll of losing a testicle when cancer wasn't the final diagnosis. His story sheds light on a rarely discussed reality: that even when tumors are benign, the physical and psychological consequences of surgery can be profound.

This episode highlights the urgent need for patient advocacy and global access to testicular cancer education, especially in regions where language barriers, cultural taboos, and lack of survivor communities leave men feeling isolated. Mohammad’s courage in sharing his experience is a powerful reminder that every patient deserves to understand that they are not alone, no matter where they live.

For cultural reasons, Mohammad has elected to obscure his picture and video.

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Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com