A Journey of Resilience and Awareness
Sam Docherty was at the peak of his AFL career when a small, unexpected discovery threatened to change everything. As the co-captain of Carlton, he made an accidental finding during a stay at a Gold Coast hotel in late 2020.
“I was feeling around, as you do as a bloke, and noticed that there was a hard bit above my testicle,” the 2017 All-Australian half-back shared with AAP.
Two weeks later, the otherwise healthy 27-year-old found himself on the operating table, undergoing surgery for stage two testicular cancer. “It was a pretty crazy turn of events,” he said. “You hear the word ‘cancer’ and you just think: ‘I’m in a world of hurt’.”
Testicular cancer is a significant health concern, with an estimated 1040 Australians diagnosed in 2025, and nearly 40 people losing their lives to the illness that year. It is the most common form of cancer among men under 40, typically diagnosed at an average age of 36.
While highly treatable when detected early, it can become more dangerous if left unchecked.
Dr Weranja Ranasinghe, a genitourinary oncology specialist, explains, “When testicular cancer is caught early, surgery alone is usually enough to treat it. However, if the cancer has spread beyond the testicle, it can travel to other parts of the body. That means treatment becomes more prolonged and often involves chemotherapy.”
In Docherty’s case, the cancer had already spread to the epididymis by the time it was identified. Although he underwent surgery immediately, testing revealed that it had spread throughout his body within a year of the operation. This led to four, five-day rounds of chemotherapy, an experience he described as feeling hungover without relief for days at a time.
Despite these challenges, Docherty made a remarkable comeback, returning to the field within months of finishing his final round of chemotherapy in November 2021. “I ran on for round one and had almost my best year of footy after that,” he said. “It was a pretty crazy experience.”
April is recognized as Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, encouraging young men to take two minutes in the shower for regular self-checks. This involves checking for lumps, swelling, pain or hardness on the testicles using a thumb and forefinger. It is recommended to perform these checks regularly, ideally after a warm bath or shower.
“There’s nothing overly comfortable about getting checked, but the earlier you catch these things, the more treatable it becomes,” Docherty emphasized. “The most uncomfortable news you could get is that it’s too late.”
Since retiring from the AFL in 2025 after playing 184 games, Docherty has continued to advocate for cancer awareness. He now serves on the board of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, working to raise awareness and support for those affected by cancer.
His story highlights the importance of early detection and the power of resilience. By sharing his journey, Docherty hopes to inspire others to take their health seriously and prioritize regular check-ups. His efforts are a testament to the impact one individual can have in promoting health awareness and saving lives.
