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This wasn’t planned.
We just kept the mic rolling.

After wrapping our conversation with Kevin Sloan, Casey jumped in and what followed turned into one of the most real conversations we’ve had yet.

No script. No structure. Just two veterans who’ve both faced testicular cancer talking about what life actually looks like after.

In this Side Mission episode, we get into:

• Life after losing one—or both—testicles
• Low testosterone (Low T) and hormone replacement therapy
• What recovery really feels like (the stuff no one tells you)
• Chemo, fatigue, and long-term side effects
• The fear of cancer coming back—and how it sticks with you
• Navigating the VA and advocating for your own care
• Why more men need to start talking about this

This is the conversation that usually happens off camera—but it’s the one more people need to hear.

If you’ve been through cancer, know someone who has, or just want the real side of survivorship… this one hits different.

Full episodes: Veteran Cancer Talk
Learn more: www.veterancancernetwork.org

If something feels off get checked. Early detection saves lives.

Support the show

Veteran Cancer Network is building the resource we wish we had. Connecting veterans and caregivers navigating cancer.

Learn more at www.veterancancernetwork.org

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Most men don’t talk about it.
That’s exactly why this conversation matters.

In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, we sit down with Kevin Sloan, a Kevin Sloan a Marine Corps veteran and two-time testicular cancer survivor who shares what it’s really like to face cancer not once… but twice.

From deploying to Kuwait and Iraq to navigating life after service, Kevin opens up about the moment everything changed when he found something that didn’t feel right and made the decision to get it checked. That decision likely saved his life.

We talk about:

• The early signs of testicular cancer most men ignore
• Why self-checks and speaking up matter more than you think
• His full treatment journey: surgery, chemotherapy, and long-term surveillance
• The reality of navigating VA healthcare and community care options
• The mental side of cancer—and why support systems are critical
• Gaps in screening, and why early detection needs to change for veterans

Kevin also shares something many veterans struggle with—self-advocacy. When you’re told “you’re fine,” but something doesn’t feel right… what do you do?

This conversation is honest, real, and something every man—and every family—needs to hear.

Because here’s the truth:
- Early detection saves lives.
- Silence can cost them.

Whether you’re a veteran, active duty, or someone who loves one. This episode could make a difference.

About the Guest

Kevin Sloan is a Marine Corps veteran and two-time testicular cancer survivor dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging men—especially veterans—to take control of their health through early detection and advocacy.

Listen / Watch / Learn More

https://www.veterancancernetwork.org

Pedal for Impact → https://veterancancernetwork.org/pedal-for-impact/

Important Reminder

If something feels off—get checked. Don’t wait.

Support the show

Veteran Cancer Network is building the resource we wish we had. Connecting veterans and caregivers navigating cancer.

Learn more at www.veterancancernetwork.org

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, we sit down with Dave Diaz, a Navy, Army, and Army National Guard veteran who was diagnosed with prostate cancer at just 45 years old—with no symptoms.

Dave shares how a routine blood test changed everything, leading to surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and years of hormone therapy. But beyond the physical battle, this episode dives into something often overlooked—the mental and emotional toll cancer takes, especially for veterans.

We talk about identity, isolation, and the moment Dave realized he couldn’t do it alone. That turning point led him to a support group that ultimately changed his life—and inspired him to lead The Reluctant Brotherhood, a nonprofit helping men navigate prostate cancer together.

This is an honest, real conversation about what cancer actually looks like—and why community matters more than most people realize.

Key Takeaways:
• Cancer can exist with no symptoms—early testing matters
• Family history and genetics play a major role
• Treatment is more than physical—it impacts identity and mental health
• Isolation can make the journey harder than it needs to be
• Support groups can be life-changing
• Caregivers need support too

Connect with Dave & The Reluctant Brotherhood:
https://thereluctantbrotherhood.org

Veteran Cancer Network:
https://www.veterancancernetwork.org

If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. No one should go through this alone.

Support the show

Veteran Cancer Network is building the resource we wish we had. Connecting veterans and caregivers navigating cancer.

Learn more at www.veterancancernetwork.org

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In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, Ashton speaks with Liz Blackmon — Army veteran, breast cancer survivor, retired Department of Justice law enforcement officer, veteran advocate, and realtor.

Liz shares her journey from military service to a breast cancer diagnosis that was caught early because she advocated for her own health and pushed for a mammogram. Diagnosed at stage 1, grade 2, Liz chose to undergo a bilateral mastectomy and later spent years on hormone therapy as part of her treatment.

Throughout the conversation, Liz reflects on the importance of listening to your body, asking questions, and pushing for the screenings you feel you need. She also talks about the challenges many veterans face navigating healthcare and why early detection can make all the difference.

Beyond her cancer journey, Liz discusses her continued work supporting veterans, including advocacy efforts for female veterans and those transitioning out of military service.

This episode is a powerful reminder that self-advocacy, regular screenings, and community support can save lives.

In this episode we discuss:
• Liz’s time serving in the U.S. Army
• Her career in federal law enforcement
• How her breast cancer was discovered
• The decision to undergo a bilateral mastectomy
• Life after treatment and hormone therapy
• Why veterans must advocate for their healthcare
• Resources and support available for veterans

About Veteran Cancer Talk:
Veteran Cancer Talk is a podcast by Veteran Cancer Network, sharing honest conversations with veterans, caregivers, and experts about cancer, early detection, and navigating the journey together.

Support the show

Veteran Cancer Network is building the resource we wish we had. Connecting veterans and caregivers navigating cancer.

Learn more at www.veterancancernetwork.org

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In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, Ashton sits down with Army veteran and leukemia survivor Shawn Morgan.

After multiple deployments to Iraq and years of potential toxic exposure, Shawn began experiencing unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, and other warning signs. In June 2024, he was diagnosed with leukemia and quickly began an intense treatment journey that included chemotherapy, long hospital stays, and a stem cell transplant from his brother.

Shawn shares what the experience was like for him and his family, the challenges of treatment, and the lessons he learned along the way. Today, he is focused on advocacy—encouraging veterans to prioritize their health, seek early detection, and speak up for themselves during medical care.

His story is one of resilience, support, and turning survivorship into purpose.

00:00 Welcome to Veteran Cancer Talk
02:28 Military Service and Deployments
05:33 Toxic Exposure and Cancer Risk
10:47 The Road to Diagnosis
16:37 Chemotherapy and Hospital Treatment
19:31 Family Impact and Support
22:27 Stem Cell Transplant and Recovery
25:37 Early Detection and Veteran Health
27:16 Advocacy and Helping Other Veterans
28:47 Advice for Others Facing Cancer

Support the show

Veteran Cancer Network is building the resource we wish we had. Connecting veterans and caregivers navigating cancer.

Learn more at www.veterancancernetwork.org

Send a text

In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, Ashton speaks with Dr. Elizabeth O’Donnell, Director of the Multicancer Early Detection Clinic at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, about one of the most promising developments in oncology: multicancer early detection (MSED) testing.

MSED tests use a single blood draw to analyze DNA methylation signatures that may indicate the presence of cancer. Some commercially available tests can screen for up to 50 different types of cancer — including many that currently have no recommended screening options.

Dr. O’Donnell explains:

• How MSED testing works
• Why these tests complement — not replace — traditional screenings
• The Sentinel Study evaluating MSED in veterans
• Eligibility requirements for participation
• What happens after an abnormal result
• Current limitations and false positive rates
• The future of early cancer detection and Medicare reimbursement

This conversation explores how emerging blood-based screening tools could reshape cancer detection — particularly for veterans who may face elevated cancer risks due to service-related exposures.

To learn more about the Sentinel Study or Veteran Cancer Network, visit:
www.veterancancernetwork.org or https://www.sentinelstudy.com/

Support the show

Veteran Cancer Network is building the resource we wish we had. Connecting veterans and caregivers navigating cancer.

Learn more at www.veterancancernetwork.org

Send us Fan Mail

When a veteran is diagnosed with cancer, the whole family is changed — but few people see what happens to the caregiver.

In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, Jennifer Worthy shares her experience supporting her husband, a Gulf War Marine, through a stage 3 cancer diagnosis, remission, and now a stage 4 recurrence. From chemotherapy routines to navigating the VA healthcare system, Jennifer opens up about caregiver burnout, emotional boundaries, marriage under pressure, and the quiet exhaustion that comes with holding everything together.

This conversation explores the unseen side of cancer — the mental load, the isolation, the fear of recurrence, and the strength it takes to love someone through it all.

We also discuss toxic exposure, veteran cancer risk, and why earlier cancer screening and awareness are critical for military families.

If you are a caregiver, spouse, or family member supporting someone through cancer, this episode is for you.

Topics Discussed:

• Caregiver burnout and self-care
• Supporting a spouse through chemotherapy
• Cancer recurrence and stage 4 diagnosis
• Navigating VA healthcare and private insurance
• Toxic exposure and the PACT Act
• Marriage and resilience during illness
• Advocacy for veteran cancer screening

Support the show

Veteran Cancer Network is building the resource we wish we had. Connecting veterans and caregivers navigating cancer.

Learn more at www.veterancancernetwork.org

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Joseph Zolper, Army veteran and Manager of Outreach & Networking at the Road Home Program at Rush University Medical Center, joins Ashton on Veteran Cancer Talk to discuss veterans’ mental health, toxic exposure awareness, and why support matters even more when veterans and families are navigating serious medical issues like cancer.

Joseph shares his Afghanistan deployment experience, the reality of mental health symptoms surfacing after service, and why many veterans put their health last during the transition to civilian life. He also explains how the Road Home Program provides no-cost mental health care for veterans, service members, and families—plus accelerated treatment options and virtual care in many states—while emphasizing that caregivers and spouses deserve support too.

Get care (self-referral): https://roadhomeprogram.org/ → Get Care
More from Veteran Cancer Network: https://veterancancernetwork.org/

Guest Bio: Joseph Zolper is a leader, veteran, and advocate dedicated to serving the military community. A former U.S. Army Infantry Officer (Captain), he deployed to Afghanistan under Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and earned the Bronze Star, two Army Commendation Medals, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. After service, he built one of Amazon’s largest Military Employee Resource Groups and now helps veterans and families access life-changing care through the Road Home Program.

Support the show

Veteran Cancer Network is building the resource we wish we had. Connecting veterans and caregivers navigating cancer.
Learn more at www.veterancancernetwork.org