Dr. Steven Bradley - Anesthesia and Testicular Cancer

Episode 75

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Dr. Steven Bradley, a critical care anesthesiologist and host of The Black Doctors Podcast, offers an insider’s perspective on anesthesia and surgical care, especially for testicular cancer patients. As a physician who has personally undergone an orchiectomy, Dr. Bradley shares his unique dual perspective as both a doctor and a patient, shedding light on what happens before, during, and after surgery.

The conversation explores the different types of anesthesia - regional, sedation, and general - and how they impact patient comfort and safety. Dr. Bradley explains how anesthesiologists carefully tailor anesthesia plans, accounting for factors like preexisting conditions, chemotherapy effects (such as bleomycin-induced lung toxicity), and even lifestyle habits like marijuana use. He also dispels myths about anesthesia, discusses post-surgical fatigue, and addresses concerns about nausea, pain management, and rare complications like anesthesia-related neuropathy.

Beyond the operating room, Dr. Bradley talks about his passion projects, including The Black Doctors Podcast, which aims to increase diversity in medicine, and AmbientRx, a music initiative designed to help patients manage stress and anxiety.

Whether you're a testicular cancer patient preparing for surgery or simply curious about the science behind going under, this episode offers an engaging and informative look at the crucial, yet often overlooked, role of anesthesiology in patient care.

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