It Takes Balls is a podcast for testicular cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and families. Through conversations with survivors, oncologists, urologists, and medical experts, we discuss testicular cancer symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, chemotherapy, fertility, mental health, survivorship, and recovery. Our mission is to raise awareness, support men’s health, reduce stigma, and help people feel less alone during and after a testicular cancer journey. Early detection and self-exams save lives.
It Takes Balls
Claim This Podcastby Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation
5.0(42 reviews)
124 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
51
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality72
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement77
Podcast Overview
It Takes Balls is a podcast for testicular cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and families. Through conversations with survivors, oncologists, urologists, and medical experts, we discuss testicular cancer symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, chemotherapy, fertility, mental health, survivorship, and recovery. Our mission is to raise awareness, support men’s health, reduce stigma, and help people feel less alone during and after a testicular cancer journey. Early detection and self-exams save lives.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
10/13/2021
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51
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality72
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement77
7
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1
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11
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excellent
Episode Length
40 minutes
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Every 15 days
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Recent Episodes
June 15, 2026
Jack Didn't Think His Symptoms Were Serious at First
<p>In this episode of It Takes Balls, recent law-grad Jack Bekos shares how a symptom many men might dismiss led to a life-changing testicular cancer diagnosis. Ironically, Jack describes himself as a lifelong "hypochondriac," someone who routinely worried about his health. Yet when this symptom first appeared, even he wasn't convinced it was anything serious.</p><p>Living alone in New York City while attending law school, Jack eventually trusted his instincts and went to the emergency room, where an ultrasound revealed a suspicious mass. What followed was a whirlwind of sleepless nights, frantic Google searches, and rapidly learning about orchiectomies, surveillance, sperm banking, and treatment possibilities. Determined to find the best care available, he connected with the team at Memorial Sloan Kettering and underwent surgery under the care of Dr. Rich Matulewicz.</p><p>Jack opens up about navigating cancer largely on his own, with family hundreds of miles away in Wisconsin (visiting after surgery) and friends helping him through recovery in New York. He shares the emotional moment when the reality of being a cancer survivor finally hit him—days after surgery, alone in a friend's apartment, when weeks of fear, uncertainty, and stress came pouring out all at once.</p><p>The conversation also explores survivorship, scanxiety, and what it's like to return to normal life while still living with uncertainty. As someone who loves data and analysis, Jack explains how understanding recurrence statistics helps him cope with follow-up scans, even as enlarged lymph nodes required additional monitoring after surgery.</p><p>More than anything, Jack's story is a reminder that testicular cancer symptoms don't always include a lump. Sometimes the warning signs are subtle. His message to listeners is simple: trust your body, advocate for yourself, and get checked when something feels off. Early detection saves lives.</p><p>Provide your feedback on the podcast:</p><p>https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/itbsurvey</p><p>Join The Ball Room:</p><p>https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroom</p><p>Want to be a guest? Apply here:</p><p>https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissions</p><p>Connect with Jack:</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/jackbekos</p><p>Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:</p><p>https://www.testescancer.org</p><p>https://www.x.com/testescancer</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/testescancer</p><p>https://www.facebook.com/tca.org</p><p>Follow Steven Crocker:</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/stevencrocker</p><p>https://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2</p><p>Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com</p>
June 8, 2026
Tony Opted for Robotic RPLND After New TC Blood Tests Spiked
<p>In this episode of It Takes Balls, testicular cancer survivor Tony Salas shares how his cancer journey led him into one of the newest and most rapidly evolving areas of cancer surveillance: MicroRNA-371 testing and Signatera ctDNA monitoring.</p><p>Tony opens up about the symptoms and diagnosis that changed his life, including the whirlwind of appointments, surgery, and learning how quickly testicular cancer treatment decisions have to be made. But what makes his story especially unique is what came after treatment—navigating surveillance while trying to avoid chemotherapy and gain greater confidence in whether his cancer was truly gone.</p><p>Throughout the episode, Tony discusses using MicroRNA 371, an emerging blood test showing major promise in detecting active germ cell tumors, along with Signatera, a personalized circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) test designed to monitor for residual disease and recurrence. He shares what it was like balancing traditional surveillance methods like CT scans and tumor markers with these newer technologies, and how the uncertainty of recurrence can weigh heavily on survivors mentally and emotionally.</p><p>The conversation also explores the emotional side of survivorship, including scannxiety, the fear of recurrence, and the challenge of moving forward after treatment while still feeling tied to constant monitoring. Tony speaks candidly about the importance of self-advocacy, staying informed about evolving cancer research, and finding ways to regain a sense of control during survivorship.</p><p>This episode is not only a powerful survivor story, but also an insightful look at the future of testicular cancer surveillance and personalized cancer monitoring. Whether you’re navigating a diagnosis, currently in surveillance, or interested in the latest advances in testicular cancer treatment and recurrence detection, Tony’s experience offers both hope and perspective.</p><p>Provide your feedback on the podcast:</p><p>https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/itbsurvey</p><p>Join The Ball Room:</p><p>https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroom</p><p>Want to be a guest? Apply here:</p><p>https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissions</p><p>Connect with Tony:</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/tone_loc17/</p><p>https://www.facebook.com/coachtony05</p><p>Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:</p><p>https://www.testescancer.org</p><p>https://www.x.com/testescancer</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/testescancer</p><p>https://www.facebook.com/tca.org</p><p>Follow Steven Crocker:</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/stevencrocker</p><p>https://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2</p><p>Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com</p>
June 1, 2026
Renee Calhoun, LMFT - Talking to Partners & Kids About Your Cancer
<p>In this episode of It Takes Balls, licensed marriage and family therapist Renee Calhoun joins the podcast to discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of a testicular cancer diagnosis: the emotional and relational impact it can have on patients, partners, children, and families.</p><p>Drawing from her professional experience as an LMFT, Renee explains how cancer affects far more than physical health. The conversation explores the fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and identity shifts that often follow a diagnosis, especially for men who may feel pressure to stay strong or avoid emotional vulnerability. She also shares practical insight into how couples can communicate more effectively during treatment and recovery, even when both partners are struggling in different ways.</p><p>Renee also offers guidance for parents trying to explain cancer to children, emphasizing the importance of honest, age-appropriate conversations and emotional openness within the family.</p><p>Throughout the discussion, Renee highlights why mental health support should be viewed as an important part of the cancer journey not just for patients, but for caregivers and loved ones as well. Her perspective brings a compassionate and practical voice to conversations that many families struggle to navigate alone.</p><p>Provide your feedback on the podcast:</p><p>https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/itbsurvey</p><p>Have a question for a future expert guest? Submit here:</p><p>https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-question-submission</p><p>Want to be a guest? Apply here:</p><p>https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissions</p><p>Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:</p><p>https://www.testescancer.org</p><p>https://www.twitter.com/testescancer</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/testescancer</p><p>https://www.facebook.com/tca.org</p><p>Connect with Renee</p><p>https://www.reneecalhounlmft.com</p><p>Follow Steven Crocker:</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/stevencrocker</p><p>https://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2</p><p>Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com</p>
124 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is It Takes Balls?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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