Testicular Cancer Conference
UC San Diego Health
Presented by Fennec Pharmaceuticals
September 19-21, 2024
Testicular Cancer Conference
San Diego 2024!
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED AND ATTENDED THE TESTICULAR CANCER CONFERENCE AT UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH.
Our conference was a huge success. We are most grateful for this amazing community!
Check out the recap video below!
Bringing Survivors, Patients, Caregivers, and Medical Experts Together
We are focused on bringing an international group of TC patients, survivors and their loved ones together to address the physical and emotional toll of being diagnosed and treated for a cancer at a young age. We discuss life with and after cancer, and lifestyle changes that can help the healing process. We invite a panel of medical experts to provide pertinent information for patients currently fighting and resources for long-term survivorship. TCAF provides attendees with information and resources to advocate within their community about the importance of early detection.
“Hearing first-hand what is important to testicular cancer survivors outside of the clinic setting is a profound experience. It shapes the way I communicate and treat patients on a daily basis, and it provides the foundation for the next generation of research I conduct. I am deeply honored to host the next Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation conference at UC San Diego Health, where we will create a safe space for testicular cancer patients and their loved ones to commune and impact the future of testicular cancer care.”
Presentation & Breakout Topics:
Honorary Speaker - Timothy A. Masterson, MD, Indiana University Medical Center/Indiana University Health
Survivorship
Selfcare: Mental Health & Coping - Fred Millard, MD, UC San Diego Health
Nutrition/Diet - Traci Roberts, MS, RD, UC San Diego Health
Exercise/Mindfulness - Jen Sedeno, YMCA
Ototoxicity - Fennec Pharmaceuticals
Bridge AI - Giovanni Cacciamani, MD, Keck School of Medicine of USC
Testosterone - Mike Hsieh, MD, UC San Diego Health
Sexual Dysfunction/Fertility - Darshan Patel, MD, UC San Diego Health
Inspirational Speaker - T. Clark Gamblin, MD, MS, MBA, Medical College of Wisconsin, Testicular Cancer Survivor
Inspirational Speaker - Brian Vesall, Testicular Cancer Survivor
Financial Toxicity in Germ Cell Tumor Survivors - Mateo Banegas, PhD, UC San Diego School of Medicine
Long-Term Adverse Consequences & Management - Nataliya Mar, MD, UCI Health
Breakout Sessions
Survivors Unite
Caregivers Unite
Docs Q&A Panel
Guest Speakers:
Timothy Masterson, MD
Honorary Speaker
Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dr. Masterson is a tenured Professor of Urology at Indiana University School of Medicine, where he has taught since 2001. After completing his general surgery internship and urology residency at the University of Utah and a fellowship in urologic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, he now specializes in treating adult genitourinary cancers, with a focus on advanced testicular cancer. He has served as the societal chair of the fellowship committee since 2023 and as program director for the Society of Urologic Oncology fellowship at IU since 2013. Dr. Masterson is also the section editor for Urologic Oncology Seminars and Original Investigations and is a board-certified urologist and fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Darshan Patel, MD
Sexual Dysfunction/Fertility
UC San Diego Health
Dr. Darshan Patel is an Assistant Professor of Urology at the University of California San Diego. He is a board certified, fellowship trained Urologist who specializes in male sexual and reproductive health. His primary research focuses on genetic epidemiology of male sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular disease.
Connect with Dr. Patel:
Dan Sleiter, MSN, ARNP, CPNP
Ototoxicity
Fennec Pharmaceuaticals
Dan Sleiter is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner with over 20 years of experience in pediatric endocrinology. Prior to that he worked for 3 years in pediatric hematology/oncology at the University of Iowa as a registered nurse. He joined Fennec Pharma in December 2023 as a senior medical science liaison.
Frederick Millard, MD
Selfcare, Mental Health, Coping
UC San Diego Health
After serving 22 years as a medical officer in the US Navy, Frederick Millard, MD has been practicing GU oncology at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center since 2002. His particular interest is in germ cell tumors. During this time he have interacted with more than 750 patients with this disease.
Jen Sedeno
Exercise
YMCA
Jen has been with the YMCA movement for 18 years and is currently with the YMCA of San Diego County as the Director of Well-Being Implementation. Her passion program is LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a physical activity program for cancer survivors that focuses on the whole person - mind and body. She has been teaching and facilitating the program since 2011.
Brian Vesall
Inspirational Speaker
Flagstone Foods
Brian Vesall was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer in September 2021, shortly after starting a job at a nut company. He is working toward using nut humor, and his connections in the nut industry to bring awareness and funds to an amazing group. Brian also hosts and plays in the Mullets and Mustaches hockey tourney for men's cancers.
Traci Roberts, MS, RD
Nutrition/Diet
UC San Diego Health
Traci Roberts is an oncology dietitian specializing in outpatient care and nutrition optimization for those living with cancer. Her background in biochemistry and research serves as a salient foundation for understanding the real-world impacts of malnutrition in the oncology setting. Utilizing outpatient counseling skills helps her to connect with each person's individual experience and challenges in meeting their nutritional needs. Research interests include cancer cachexia and the additive benefits of nutrition and exercise during active treatment.
T. Clark Gamblin, MD, MS, MBA
Inspirational Speaker
Medical College of Wisconsin
T. Clark Gamblin, MD, MS, MBA is an internationally known hepatobiliary surgeon with a clinical and research interest focused on cancers of the liver and bile ducts. As a testicular cancer survivor, his current pursuit is the epic World Marathon Challenge where Dr. Gamblin aims to inspire others while raising funds for the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation by completing 7 marathons in 7 days across 7 continents.
Giovanni Cacciamani, MD
Bridge AI
Keck School of Medicine of USC
Giovanni Cacciamani, MD is a urologist and an associate professor of urology and radiology at USC as well as the director of the Artificial Intelligence Center. His lab is currently exploring potentialities of Generative AI in healthcare for making AI practical for practicing physicians.
T. Mike Hsieh, MD, MSA
Testosterone
UC San Diego Health
Dr. T. Mike Hsieh, a board-certified urologist and director of the Men's Health Center at UC San Diego Health, specializes in supporting male cancer patients with fertility and sexual health concerns. He collaborates with Moores Cancer Center to help patients preserve their fertility before undergoing cancer treatments and to restore sexual function post-treatment. Dr. Hsieh’s expertise includes managing the sexual side effects of cancer therapies and providing advanced treatments to enhance quality of life for cancer survivors. He also conducts research on fertility preservation and outcomes for male cancer patients, integrating these insights into his clinical practice. Dr. Hsieh completed his urology training at George Washington University and a fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine.
Matthew P. Banegas, PhD
Financial Toxicity in Germ Cell Tumor Survivors
UC San Diego School of Medicine
Matthew (Mateo) P. Banegas is an Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Health Equity Education and Research (CHEER) in the Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences (RMAS) at the UCSD School of Medicine. Trained as a health services researcher, with an emphasis in cancer prevention and control, Dr. Banegas uses quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the intersection between health care delivery and costs, social determinants of health, and health outcomes for individuals diagnosed with cancer. His research focuses on two primary areas of investigation: (1) the association of social and economic risk factors with health and health care outcomes over the life course; and (2) developing health system strategies to identify and address the social and economic needs.
Nataliya Mar, MD
Long-Term Adverse Consequences & Management
UCI Health
Dr. Nataliya Mar is a board-certified medical oncologist who specializes in treatment of genitourinary malignancies, including prostate, bladder, renal, testicular and penile cancer. In addition to delivering patient care, Dr. Mar is involved in the design and conduct of genitourinary clinical trials at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. She has presented her work at various national and international meetings as well as published multiple manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.
Saturday Social Event - Day at the Bay with Beach Bocce Ball
Saturday’s social was a beach bocce ball tournament located at Mariner’s Point in Mission Bay (near Belmont Park)! This event sells out every year and wass included with the TC Conference registration.
A costume contest was highlighted by colorful costumes, intense competition, and a lot of laughter as teams vied for the title of World Champion in four different divisions – Men’s Intermediate, Men’s Open, Women’s, and Mixed Division.
Video courtesy: BeachBocce
Thank you to our title sponsor:
Fennec Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company dedicated to improving the lives of adolescent and young adult testicular cancer patients who are treated with cisplatin to reduce the risk of hearing loss.
Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor:
Renowned for its commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery and clinical innovation, UC San Diego School of Medicine cultivates a dynamic, diverse and collaborative environment where students, faculty, and health care professionals converge to advance the frontiers of medicine.
Thank you to our Gold Sponsor:
Michael and Elizabeth Thompson honoring Thomas Edwards, III, MD; Jason Burnette, MD, PhD; Josh Simmons, MD, FACP and the Archbold Medical Center team where their son, Will Thompson has received and continues to receive exceptional care.
Thank you to our Silver Sponsors:
Coloplast has the only FDA approved Torosa® Saline-Filled Testicular Prosthesis. Torosa® aids in creating and restoring a more natural look and feel of the testicle in the scrotum.
NADS was founded to be a men's health movement. NADS sells organic underwear made without the use of common reproductive health-damaging chemicals and substances. This provides men the opportunity to give their nads a clean, comfortable, and healthy home.
Flagstone Foods (“Flagstone”), one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of private label snack nuts and trail mixes in North America, has acquired Emerald Nuts. Their snacks not only taste great, but help you feel good because they are curated with the finest ingredients from around the world.
Thank you to our premier sponsor:
Galaxy Car Wash of Roswell, is a self-service car wash with an out-of-this-world alien theme. Experience stellar cleaning with a cosmic twist!
Located at 2806 N Main St., Roswell, NM 88201.