Clinical and community perspectives on sport-based care for young adults with testicular cancer

Introduction: Testicular cancer is one of the most curable malignancies; however, a growing number of men live with the physical and mental health sequelae of the disease and its related treatments. Although supportive care research and programs for this population have expanded, engagement remains low. Sport has been identified as a potential gender-sensitized, community-based platform for delivering supportive care. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of key clinical and community sport personnel perspectives on the feasibility, acceptability, and implementation considerations of a sport-based supportive care intervention for men living with and beyond testicular cancer. Materials and methods: Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with testicular cancer care clinicians (n = 7) and community sport personnel (n = 6). Data were analyzed using an inductive, reflexive thematic analysis to identify key patterns and themes related to supportive care delivery through sport. Results: Three central themes were generated: (i) disrupted trajectories and unmet supportive care needs, (ii) the locker room method, and (iii) knowing when to pass the ball. These themes highlight the complex supportive care needs of young men with testicular cancer, the perceived value of informal peer-based sport environments for fostering engagement, and the importance of clearly defined roles and collaboration between clinical and community sectors. Conclusions: Sport-based supportive care interventions may represent a feasible and acceptable approach for men living with and beyond testicular cancer. Future interventional research should continue to meaningfully involve both clinical and community partners to enhance the relevance, accessibility, and sustainability of supportive care initiatives for this population.