After 3 years of virtual conferences as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, October 2023 marked the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation’s (TCAF) fifth in-person Testicular Cancer Conference (Figures 1-11). Fennec Pharmaceuticals was the title sponsor for the conference hosted at the epicenter of testicular cancer research and treatment, Indiana University. Dr Clint Cary, associate professor of urology at Indiana University and international authority on germ cell tumors, provided organizational oversight.

The TCAF was formed in 2009 by Kim Jones in honor of her son, Jordan, who was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer at the early age of 13 in 2007. Jordan made a full recovery, but unfortunately relapsed and passed away in June 2016. The foundation’s mission is to raise awareness and educate the public about the most common form of cancer in men ages 15 to 44 and provide lifesaving valuable support for patients, survivors, and caregivers. The Testicular Cancer Conference acts as an opportunity to support those affected by testicular cancer as well as provide attendees with a space to discuss life with and after cancer, and the lifestyle changes that can help the healing process.

“Our Testicular Cancer Conferences are absolutely amazing and so needed for this community. Before our first Testicular Cancer Conference in 2017, there was a great need for connecting, advocating, and educating people around this disease. A testicular cancer diagnosis can leave men feeling isolated. Our Testicular Cancer Conferences provide a space to share, connect, and ask questions, empowering patients to be their own advocate during and after a life-changing diagnosis, as well as provide a great opportunity to learn more about the disease. I am incredibly grateful to the testicular cancer medical community that has come together to support TCAF in its efforts to help and create a positive impact for those affected by this disease. TCAF strives to bring awareness to an underfunded and underrecognized disease while advocating for patients and caregivers who may know very little about testicular cancer,” said Kim Jones, TCAF founder and chief executive officer.

A group of more than 60 survivors, patients, caregivers, and medical providers from around the US came together for a 2-day event featuring presentations on testosterone and fertility, fear of recurrence, self-care, and proactive patient conversations that lead to high-quality care. Sean Kern, MD, urologic oncologist program director at National Capital Consortium, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and recent testicular cancer survivor, served as the inspirational speaker alongside his wife and clinical psychologist, Aneta Kern, PhD. Actor, comedian, and 2-time testicular cancer survivor BJ Lange led the conference as the event’s master of ceremonies.

“My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the support, guidance, and perspectives of other men and their families who have been affected by testicular cancer. I am grateful for the Foundation for providing me the support as a patient as well as an avenue to advocate for the disease as a urologic oncologist,” said Sean Kern, MD, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army.

Day 1 ended in a question-and-answer session with medical experts, while day 2 allowed for survivors and caregivers to break out into small groups and spend intimate time with the presenters and other experts, such as Aditya Bagrodia, MD, FACS, associate professor of urology at University of California (UC) San Diego Health.

“Hearing firsthand what is important to testicular cancer survivors outside of the clinic setting is a profound experience. It shapes the way I communicate and treat patients on a daily basis, and it provides the foundation for the next generation of research I conduct. I am deeply honored to host the next TCAF conference at UC San Diego Health, where we will create a safe space for testicular cancer patients and their loved ones to commune and impact the future of testicular cancer care,” stated Dr Bagrodia.

An interactive dinner social was hosted the first night to provide a relaxed environment in which the survivors, patients, caregivers, and experts could get to know each other.

“This is my third conference,” said testicular cancer survivor Eric Gutierrez. “It keeps getting better and better every time I come.”

Also in attendance, as honorary speaker, was Lawrence Einhorn, MD, who is commonly referred to as one of the godfathers of testicular cancer treatment for his role in the development of curative treatment for testicular cancer. “We’re here to help; we are healers,” Dr Einhorn said in his opening remarks. “I think we have a responsibility as physicians dealing with rare, curable disease in young patients to make sure they are getting state-of-the-art therapy regardless of where they live,” he went on to say, giving credit to Dr Kern for providing life-saving treatment to a Ukrainian soldier with testicular cancer in the US.

Dr Einhorn was presented with a plaque by the TCAF recognizing Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center as a center of excellence for the treatment and management of testicular cancer.

Brian and Jamie Vesall attended the conference for the first time as a survivor and caregiver from Minnesota. “It’s been amazing,” Brian recounted. “Everyone has a really strong connection to this for obvious reasons, and to see people pour that into this conference has been amazing. Giving me more purpose.”

The Testicular Cancer Conference is an opportunity for survivors, patients, and caregivers to connect with medical experts as well as each other. It offers a chance to be heard and to hear multiple perspectives, which allows survivors and/or patients to continue their journey of survivorship feeling supported, more confident, and better equipped for life during and after treatment.

We look forward to the next in-person TCAF meeting to be held at UC San Diego in September of 2024!

For more information about past conferences and to be a part of future conferences, visit www.testescancer.org.