In this episode of It Takes Balls, husband, father, and testicular cancer survivor Ryan Rayfield shares his powerful story of early detection, recurrence, and the long road through surgery, chemotherapy, and recovery.
Ryan’s journey began mid-flight on a work trip when unexpected groin pain led to a self-check that changed everything. Diagnosed with stage 1B non-seminoma, he opted for a robotic RPLND at the University of Pennsylvania in hopes of avoiding chemotherapy. With clean scans and pathology, it seemed the worst was behind him - until a month later, rising HCG tumor markers revealed a microscopic recurrence that imaging couldn’t catch.
Ryan reflects on the mental toll of starting BEP chemotherapy after having hoped to avoid it entirely. He candidly describes chemo’s physical and emotional side effects, his experience balancing treatment with fatherhood and grad school, and the strength it took to accept what he once feared most.
The episode also explores how Ryan’s connection to another survivor, former podcast guest Alex Volynsky, helped guide his treatment choices, highlighting the power of peer support, social media, and storytelling in cancer care. Now approaching two years in remission, Ryan speaks with clarity about scanxiety, post-treatment anxiety, and how cancer reshaped his health, perspective, and purpose.
From fertility concerns and proactive surgery to community, parenting, and the lasting impacts of survivorship, Ryan’s story is a reminder that healing isn’t linear, and that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
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https://www.instagram.com/rrayfield_44/Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com
