Help protect the futures of young cancer patients
4 min read 14 October 2025
Testicular cancer disproportionately affects young men. It often strikes in the teens, twenties and thirties, just as they are beginning their adult lives and building their futures.
Thankfully, it’s a highly treatable cancer, with nearly all patients recovering after treatment.
But what often goes unseen is the lasting toll the disease and its treatment can have on their bodies, minds, and futures.
Even after young people have been cleared of cancer, many will live with long-term side effects, complications from surgery, fertility issues and changes to their sense of identity that can stay with them for years.
One goal of Peter Mac researchers is to minimise those impacts. To make sure each young person has a full, healthy future ahead of them after cancer.
Cancer research is the best path to make that happen.
Your donation to Peter Mac today will fund life-saving cancer research. Give now.
Research to transform testicular cancer treatment
Peter Mac researcher Associate Professor Ben Tran is one of Australia’s leading experts in testicular cancer. He’s treated thousands of young people with the disease, and has seen first-hand the harm it can cause – both physical and psychological.
He’s leading a suite of our key research projects, each addressing a different aspect of these harms.
“The aim of our research is to make sure testicular cancer can become just a footnote in a young person’s life – something they will have forgotten by the time they turn 50,” says Associate Professor Tran.
Associate Professor Ben Tran is leading four ground-breaking studies to reduce the harms caused by testicular cancer.
The four studies are creating a gentler treatment path through testicular cancer – helping young men survive and bounce back to full, healthy lives, sooner.
PROJECT 1: CLIMATE
Improve diagnosis methods
This study is trialling a promising new blood marker, MicroRNA-371, that can identify whether testicular cancer has spread – earlier and more accurately than current tests. Earlier detection means treatment can begin sooner, be more targeted, and help young people avoid unnecessary procedures and bounce back faster.
PROJECT 2: CIRCUIT
Safely avoid surgery
Around 40% of patients currently undergo major surgery as a precaution, even when cancer may not be present. This study is developing blood tests that can provide clearer answers – so young people can avoid invasive surgery unless it is truly needed. This ensures greater certainty and protects health and quality of life.
PROJECT 3: PRESTIGE
No long-term side effects
PRESTIGE is investigating new, less invasive surgical techniques that may reduce or replace the need for chemotherapy. By focusing on what matters most to young people – their wellbeing, recovery and life beyond cancer – this study aims to reduce long-term side effects and improve quality of life.
PROJECT 4: PREPARE
Restoring fertility
PREPARE is about helping people whose fertility has been affected by cancer treatment. The team is looking at new ways to protect and restore fertility, so that more people have the chance to start a family when they are ready.
This is cutting-edge research, and it has the potential to change so many lives. To make sure more young people can come through cancer with their health intact, and their futures, protected.
Your donation is needed to help make this kind of life-changing cancer research possible.
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Cancer shouldn't define young people's futures
Without adequate funding, vital cancer research like A/Prof Tran’s could stall. Potentially life-saving discoveries might never leave the research lab.
And the chance to transform lives and protect young people from pain, harm and uncertainty could slip away. Young lives – full of promise – could be left hanging in the balance.
Supporting Peter Mac is one of the most powerful ways you can make sure vital cancer research continues – so breakthroughs can begin changing lives as soon as possible.
“Your gift will help make sure young people with cancer can step into their futures – careers, families, dreams – without cancer defining them.” – A/Prof Ben Tran