Every day, we lose more than 10 men to male reproductive cancers like prostate, testicular and penile cancers.
It could be someone you dearly love: your son, partner, brother, father, or friend – male reproductive cancers affect people of all ages. Yet they are one of the least talked about due to stigma, embarrassment, and the reluctance of men to seek help due to social norms.
Clint Trofa is no stranger to this. His life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer just before 30.
Even though testicular cancer mostly affects young men aged 15-39, Clint had never heard of it until he saw his friend go through testicular cancer treatment. This led him to perform a testicular cancer self-exam in the shower soon after, and his stomach dropped when he found something unusual.
It turned out to be an aggressive type of testicular cancer. He underwent surgical removal almost immediately.
Clint would not be here today if his cancer hadn’t been detected early, and he is filled with gratitude for advancements in cancer research that enable the quick detection and treatment of cancers like his, which ultimately saved his life.
“When I reflect on having testicular cancer 20 years ago, I think about my three beautiful daughters who wouldn’t be here if my cancer wasn’t detected in time. I'm very lucky to be alive. Cancer research isn't a slogan—it's my second chance.”
- Clint Trofa, testicular cancer survivor (pictured above)
In the early 1970s, testicular cancer was a death sentence for men like Clint, who were in the prime of their life. Now, it is a highly curable cancer with a 5-year survival rate of 98% thanks to breakthroughs in testicular cancer research.
Clint's doctor said he was incredibly lucky. If the cancer in his testicle had not been treated in time, it would have been a matter of weeks before it spread through his lymph glands to his chest, eventually reaching his brain. Today, he is a proud dad to 3 daughters.
Stories like Clint’s are why we fund innovative male reproductive cancer research projects like Dr Eric Kusnadi’s, which hold the promise of improved early detection, better treatments and a renewed hope for the future.
Testicular cancer, prostate cancer and penile cancer need to be talked about more. They are critical areas of men's health that require our attention.
Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer among Australian men and people assigned male at birth, with over 24,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Penile cancer, though less common, still impacts Australian men, particularly those over 60, and research is underfunded.
Your tax-deductible donation can save lives and contribute to next breakthrough in men's health. Together, we can make strides in male reproductive cancer research.
Clint Trofa
Testicular cancer survivor
Cure Cancer fundraiser
When Clint Trofa found out a good friend had been diagnosed with testicular cancer in his twenties, he was stunned. Cancer wasn’t something that he thought of as affecting people his age. Spurred on by the news, he decided to get checked out by the GP. The results shocked everyone.
“My GP noticed straight away that something wasn’t quite right. He booked me into the hospital for a biopsy, which showed a nasty malignant tumour. I had to have my testicle removed, but I was extremely lucky not to have needed chemo or radiotherapy.”
Clint underwent blood tests and CT scans for the next 5 years, before finally receiving the all-clear. Early detection, avaliable through research changed his life. Today, he is a proud dad-of-three and his oldest has just turned 18.
Dr Eric Kusnadi
Prostate cancer researcher
Sir Peter MacCallum Dept of Oncology,
The University of Melbourne
Each year in Australia, there are over 24,000 diagnoses of prostate cancer, and over 3,500 deaths as a result of prostate cancer. Standard treatments include surgery, radiation and testosterone-deprivation therapies. Unfortunately, many patients still develop advanced cancers that spread around the body.
Eric is particularly interested in castration-resistant prostate cancer – cancer that doesn’t or no longer responds to frontline therapies. For many patients, this disease is lethal, and the limited treatment options are relatively ineffective. His current project focuses on testing a new drug that targets a biological process that is disproportionately utilised by prostate cancer.
If successful, the discoveries from the project could open up new therapeutic options that are urgently needed for patients with advanced cancer, with implications for other cancer types.
Learn about
male reproductive cancers
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is the second most common diagnosed cancer in young Australian men and people assigned male at birth aged 20-39, with over 900 new cases diagnosed each year.
While it has a high cure rate with early detection and treatment, ongoing research is crucial for improving outcomes and minimising the impact of this disease on patients.
Risk factors: Undescended testicles in infants, family history, previous testicular cancer diagnosis, HIV/AIDS status.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer among Australian men and people assigned male at birth, with around 20,000 new cases diagnosed annually.
Your donation contributes to efforts aimed at advancing prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies for prostate cancer, ultimately improving outcomes for patients.
Risk factors: Older age, family history, inherited gene changes, African ancestry.
Penile cancer
Penile cancer, though less common, still impacts Australian men, particularly those over 60.
Penile cancer makes up 10-20% of male cancers in Africa, Asia, and South America.
By supporting research and awareness initiatives, we can ensure better outcomes and treatment options for people affected by penile cancer.
Risk factors: HPV infection, not being circumcised, phimosis, smoking, HIV/AIDS status.
Why your support matters
Awareness: Support campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of early detection, regular screenings, and healthy lifestyles to reduce the risk of these cancers.
Treatment: Provide access to advanced treatments, clinical trials, and support services for individuals affected by prostate, testicular and penile cancers.
More on male reproductive cancer research
Dr Panchadsaram ‘Jana’ Janaththani
Cancer type: Prostate cancer
Research: Understanding the biology of lethal prostate cancer to tailor treatment for patients
Learn more about testicular cancer
Around 1,000 Australians are diagnosed with testicular cancer every year. Most are between the ages of 15 to 40.
Catching up with Dr Zeyad Nassar on prostate cancer research
Learn about the importance of prostate cancer awareness and recent progress.
Together, we can cure cancer.
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