UAB Medicine earns national designation for testicular cancer care
UAB Medicine has been recognized by the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation (TCAF) as a Testicular Cancer Center of Excellence – the only one in the Southeast. This distinction is awarded to programs that provide complete, multispecialty care for testicular cancer.
The TCAF is a national nonprofit group focused on early detection, patient support, and education.
“Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men ages 18 to 40, though it’s not a common cancer overall,” said Charles Peyton, M.D., a urologic oncologist at the UAB O’Neal Cancer Center. “As a result, timely diagnosis and effective treatment can have a significant impact, yet few centers maintain programs like ours specifically for this patient population.”
Meeting key standards
Dr. Peyton helped expand and formalize services for these patients. UAB Medicine’s testicular cancer program features surgical, medical, and radiation oncology expertise, and it also provides access to specialists in thoracic surgery, vascular surgery, and fertility when needed.
The Center of Excellence designation means that UAB Medicine meets key TCAF standards, including:
- Multispecialty care that spans the care continuum, from diagnosis through survivorship
- Access to clinical trials
- Academic contributions to the field, such as research and publications
- Integration with national networks for testicular cancer care and support
These standards help ensure that UAB Medicine patients receive timely, well-coordinated care from experts who understand the nuances of testicular cancer and its treatment. Patients have access to numerous supportive care services that promote long-term health and quality of life, and this is an important part of UAB’s complete approach to care.
“This recognition affirms that we’re offering comprehensive care in a region that does not have many centers focused on this cancer,” Dr. Peyton said. “It’s also one more sign to patients and referring providers that we’re prepared to manage their needs at a high level.”
Click here to learn more about testicular cancer care at the UAB O’Neal Cancer Center.
Click here for information on how to perform a self-exam for testicular cancer.