EPISODE 33 - Joe Docherty
Joe Docherty on Testicular Cancer, Mental Health & the Grief of What Might Be Lost
In this powerful and deeply empathetic episode of Check One Two – The Lowdown on Testicular Cancer, hosts Paul McCaffery interviews Joe Docherty, a testicular cancer survivor who shares a profoundly honest account of the emotional and psychological toll that cancer can take—especially when it strikes young men. Joe’s story is not only about a testicle lump or a testicular cancer diagnosis—it’s about mental health, masculinity, fertility fears, and the courage it takes to speak openly when everything feels uncertain.
Joe describes the moment he discovered a swollen testicle and the intense fear that followed, shaped by his past experiences of cancer within his family. His anxiety only deepened when his GP initially dismissed his concerns. Trusting his instincts, Joe pushed for a second examination—a critical moment of self-advocacy that led to the right diagnosis. But the wait between discovery and confirmation was agonising, triggering a panic attack and highlighting the very real mental health impacts men face while awaiting answers.
Throughout the episode, Joe opens up about the deeper grief that came with the possibility of losing his ability to have children—an emotional blow he says hit harder than anything else. He speaks movingly about his love for children and the crushing weight of feeling that fatherhood might not be possible after cancer. He also details how low testosterone after testicular cancer affected his energy, identity, and mood—and how difficult it was to get the medical system to take those symptoms seriously.
Joe’s journey underscores how cancer support for men must include emotional support, fertility counselling, and acknowledgement of the invisible scars. He shares how therapy, peer support, and finding the right advocate (in his case, a fellow survivor named Jeff) helped him feel less alone and more in control of his choices—especially when it came to choosing chemotherapy.
This episode is essential listening for anyone navigating the emotional aftermath of a cancer diagnosis, or supporting someone who is. Joe’s story is a reminder that male cancer awareness must go beyond testicular cancer symptoms and NHS advice—it must also address shame, isolation, and the grief of what might be lost, even in survivorship.
Whether you're looking for testicular cancer stories, fertility after cancer guidance, or simply a men’s health podcast that talks honestly about fear and recovery, this conversation is a lifeline. Tune in to hear what it means to survive not just physically—but emotionally.