Knocked Down by Cancer Twice; Brian Gets Back Up
Knocked Down by Cancer Twice; Brian Gets Back Up
Episode 109
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.
Read more in Brian’s Teste-Monial.
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