Testicular cancer: the challenge for cancer control

The effect of the discovery of a curative treatment regimen for testicular cancer is apparent in countries with declining national mortality rates. The introduction of centralised treatment in Slovakia has been maintained, and the decline seen in the former country referred to as East Germany after rapid economic change is also clear and continuing. However, mortality remains higher in all countries of central and eastern Europe, compared with western European countries. Testicular cancer could almost be eliminated as a cause of death worldwide if the political will, adequate finance, and the necessary training and logistics to deliver appropriate treatment were implemented. The resources required to eliminate death from testicular cancer are resource-based, rather than dependent on the outcome of further research. The aim of all cancer research is to benefit the patient with cancer or those who are at risk of developing the disease. Testicular cancer control would be the finest illustration of this process and, simultaneously, would be a model for implementation as new, successful therpaeutic modalities for other cancers are developed.