Testicular Cancer Research Collaborative
UCF Department of Health Sciences
Overview
The Testicular Cancer Research Collaborative (TCRC) is dedicated to advancing knowledge and improving outcomes in testicular cancer and men’s health. Our work spans clinical outcomes research, survivorship studies, and psychosocial investigations, with a focus on addressing the full continuum of care from early detection to long-term quality of life. We strive to integrate patient perspectives into research design, train the next generation of health researchers, and translate findings into meaningful improvements in care and awareness.
Mission
To conduct innovative and collaborative research that improves the health, survivorship, and quality of life of individuals affected by testicular cancer.
Vision
A world where testicular cancer survivors receive comprehensive, patient-centered care informed by evidence-based research and supported by public awareness.
Values
Collaboration, patient advocacy, integrity in research, mentorship, and commitment to whole-person health.
What We Do
Quality of Life Tool Development
Designing and validating Institutional Review Board-approved instruments to measure how testicular cancer affects long term survivor wellbeing.
Survivorship Research
Exploring challenges across the survivorship journey, from encouraging testicular self-examinations to addressing mental health and quality of life outcomes.
Research Driven Awareness and Education
Translating our findings into educational content and public presentations to promote awareness of men's health and testicular cancer.
Student Mentorship and Training
Preparing the next generation of researchers through structured programs such as virtual research apprenticeships.
Meet Our Team
Michael J. Rovito, Ph.D., MA, CHES
Founder and Principal Investigator
Associate Professor Rovito leads the Testicular Cancer Research Collaborative, overseeing research design, multi-institutional collaborations, and the development of innovative approaches to men’s health and survivorship. He guides the team’s strategic vision and ensures that research translates into meaningful outcomes for patients, providers, and the broader public.
Kamalie Thomas, MS(c)
Research Coordinator
Sydney Martinez, MS(c)
Research Coordinator
Paola Rodrigues-Grisales, MPH
Grant Support Specialist
Ashley Malvita, MS(c)
Research Assistant
Erika Brandt, BS(c)
Research Assistant
Khushi Chauhan, BS(c)
Research Assistant
Funded Study
Feasibility of the Physical Activity and Connectivity for Testicular Cancer Survivors (PACT) Program
The PACT study, led by Dr. Michael J. Rovito in collaboration with Dr. Keith Brazendale at the University of Central Florida, investigates how physical activity can enhance health and quality of life among testicular cancer survivors. Funded by a $238,919 grant from the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, this ongoing project combines an intervention study with a comprehensive literature review to better understand the role of physical activity in improving survivorship outcomes.
Intervention participants receive a Fitbit, personalized exercise guidance, motivational text messages, and access to virtual support group sessions. By tracking changes in physical activity, social connectedness, and overall well-being, the study aims to identify feasible and sustainable strategies that support long-term health and recovery in testicular cancer survivors.
News
Selected Relevant Publications
Our laboratory makes a concerted effort to publish our findings in respected academic journals and present at regional, national, and international conferences. In addition to contributing to collective body of knowledge in a given field, presenting original data at conferences is a fun way for the lab’s students to enhance their self-confidence and network with other scientists.
- Murphy M, Kirby A, De Blasio F, McCarthy M, Shiely F, Hegarty F, Davoren M, Harrington J, Shorter G, Murphy D, O’Mahony B, Cooke E, Rovito MJ, Robertson S, Fitzgerald S, O Connor A; O Riordan M; Saab M. (2025). Cost Benefit Analysis of the Enhancing Men’s Awareness of Testicular diseases (E-MAT) Feasibility Trial: A Virtual Reality Experience to Increase Testicular Knowledge and Self-Examination among Male Athletes. PharmacoEconomics.-Open, 1-12 https://doi.org/10.1007/s41669-025-00571-5 (IF:4.4)
- Bekele D, Mensah K, Rovito MJ. (2025). Testicular cancer and testicular self-examination: Knowledge, attitude, and practice among university students in Ghana. Health Behavior Research. 8(2) https://doi.org/10.4148/2572-1836.1273 (IF:0.4)
- Rovito MJ, Brazendale K, Gibson S, Martinez S, Fairman C, Badolato C, Lyon T, Baird B, Langan J, Leslie MK*. (2025). Physical Activity and Testicular Cancer Survivorship Health-Related Quality of Life: A Scoping Review. Therapeutic Advances in Urology. 17 https://doi.org/10.1177/17562872251322658 (IF:2.6)
- Rovito MJ, Martinez S*, Thomas K*, Chauhan K*, Gibson S*. (2025). Women, Men, and Cancer Survivorship: A Commentary on Current Data and Possible Underlying Issues. American Journal of Men’s Health.19(1) https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883241309039 (IF:2.1)
- Shiely F, Cooke E, McCarthy M, Dahly D, Harrington J, Shorter G, Davoren M, Hegarty J, Murphy A, Kirby A, Murphy D, Robertson R, Rovito MJ, Fitzgerald S, O’Connor A, O’Riordan M, Saab M. (2024). Using X, Facebook QR codes to optimize recruitment to a feasibility trial Enhancing Men’s Awareness of Testicular Diseases (E-MAT) in a cluster randomized Study Within a Trial (SWAT): Lessons learned. F1000Research 2024, 13:235 https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.1456823.1
- Saab M, McCarthy M, Davoren M, Shetty V, Shiely F, Harrington J, Shorter G, Murphy D, O’Mahony B, Cooke E, Murphy A, Kirby A, Rovito MJ, Robertson S, Fitzgerald S, O’Connor A, O’Riordan M, Hegarty J, Dahly D. (2024). Enhancing men’s awareness of testicular diseases (E-MAT) using virtual reality: A randomized pilot feasibility study and mixed method process evaluation. PLoS one.19(7), e0307426. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0307426 (IF:2.9)
- Saab M, McCarthy M, Shetty V, O’Donovan M, Flynn A, Davoren M, Goulding R, Kirby A, Robertson S, Shorter G, Murphy D, Rovito MJ, Shiely F, Hegarty J. (2024). Co-Design and Launch of “On the Ball”: An Inclusive Community-Based “Testicular Awareness” Campaign. Health Expectations.27(3):e14100 https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.14100 (IF:3.0)
- Saab M, Shetty V, McCarthy M, Davoren M, Flynn A, Kirby A, Robertson S, Shorter G, Murphy D, Rovito MJ, Shiely F, Hegarty J. (2024). Promoting “testicular awareness”: Co-design of an inclusive campaign using the world café methodology. Health Expectations. 27(1), e13898 (IF:3.0)
- Rovito MJ, Allen K, Perez A, Albaladejo F, Craycraft M. (2023). Humor-based messaging in testicular cancer awareness campaigns: Helpful or harmful? A comparative critical review. American Journal of Mens Health. 17(6)
- Rovito MJ, Dworkin S, Allen K, Rovito KE, Martinez S. (2023). Psychometric Properties of the Adolescent and Young Adult Men – Health Indicators Scale (AYAM-HIS). Health Behavior Research. 6(4), 5
- Saab M, Davoren M, Murphy A, Murphy D, Cooke E, Landers M, Fitzgerald S, Richardson N, Rovito MJ, Von Wagner C, Murphy, M, Dahly D, Hegarty J. (2023). Promoting men’s awareness, self-examination, and help-seeking for testicular disorders: A systematic review of interventions. [version 3; peer review: 2 approved]. HRB Open Research 1:16
- Rovito MJ, Allen K, Nangia A, Craycraft M, Cary C, Lutz M, Lyon T, Tomscic A, Baird B, Welch G, Alcantara A. (2022). A call to action to review the USPSTF’s recommendation for testicular self-examination. American Journal of Mens Health. 16(5), 1-6
- Rovito MJ, Craycraft M, Adams WB, Maresca M, Cary C, Saab MM, Gooljar C, Martinez S, Abu Zanet R. (2022). A cross-sectional analysis of testicular cancer symptom recognition and stage of diagnosis. American Journal of Men’s Health. 16(3), 1-8.
- Rovito MJ, Adams WB, Craycraft M, Gooljar C, Maresca M, Guelmes J, Gallelli A. (2021). The Association between Testicular Self-Examination and Stages of Testicular Cancer Diagnosis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology. 11(1), 41-47.
- Rovito MJ, Bruzzone A, Lee E, Lopez-Castillo H, Talton W, Taliaferro L, Falk D. (2021). Assessing Health-Related Quality of Life Among Survivors of Testicular Cancer: An Appraisal of Study Quality. American Journal of Men’s Health.15(1), 1-11.
- Rovito MJ, Craycraft M, Talton W, Maresca M. (2021). So, now what?: Reflections upon socioeconomic factors, testicular cancer, and health care accessibility. Cancer. 127(8), 1345-1346.
- Rovito MJ, Taylor S, Craycraft M, Lockwood R, Adams W. (2019). Testicular Cancer Incidence and Mortality within Rural and Urban Regions. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology. 9(2), 202-207.
- Saab M, Davoren M, Murphy A, Murphy D, Cooke E, Landers M, Fitzgerald S, Richardson N, Rovito MJ, Von Wagner C, Murphy, M, Dahly D, Hegarty J. (2018). Promoting men’s awareness, self-examination, and help-seeking for testicular disorders: A systematic review of interventions. HRB Open Research, 1:16.
- Fadich A, Giorgianni S, Rovito MJ, Adams WB*, Stephenson C, Mesa-Morales F, Sparkes J. (2018). USPSTF Testicular examination nomination – Self-examinations and examinations in a clinical setting. American Journal of Men’s Health. 12(5), 1510-1516.
- Adams WB, Rovito MJ, Craycraft M. (2018). The connection between testicular cancer, minority males, and Planned Parenthood. American Journal of Men’s Health. 12(5), 1774- 1783.
- Rovito MJ, Leone JE, Cavayero, CT. (2018). ‘Off-label’ usage of testicular self-examination (TSE): Benefits beyond cancer detection. American Journal of Men’s Health. 12(3), 505 –513.
- Rovito MJ, Manjelievskaia J, Leone JE, Lutz M, Cavayero C, Perlman D. (2018). Recommendations for treating males: An ethical rationale for the inclusion of testicular self-examination (TSE) in a standard of care. American Journal of Men’s Health. 12(3), 539-545.
- Rovito MJ, Gordon TF, Bass SB, DuCette J, Tierney A*, Coles N*. (2018). Developing the ‘Control Identity’ typology to create more effective testicular health promotional messaging. American Journal of Men’s Health. 12(3), 546-555.
- Rovito MJ. (2018). Performing testicular self-examination, driving automobiles, and anxiety: What is the logical link? American Journal of Men’s Health. 12(3), 594-596.
- Rovito MJ. (2016). Eclipsed by the prostate: Expanding testicular cancer scholarship through years of potential life lost and economic productivity. American Journal of Men’s Health. 11(3), 674 –677.
- Talton, Lindner H, Rovito MJ. (2016). Increasing urologic care ratios: Implications of male patient care in Florida. American Journal of Men’s Health. 12(6), 2029-2036.
- Rovito MJ, Manjelievskaia J, Leone JE, Lutz M, Nangia A. (2016). From ‘D’ to ‘I’: A critique of the current United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendation for testicular cancer screening. Preventive Medicine Reports. 3, 361-366.
- Rovito MJ, Cavayero CT*, Leone JE, Harlin S. (2015). Interventions promoting testicular self-examination (TSE) performance: A systematic review. American Journal of Men’s Health. 9(6), 506-18.
- Leone JE, Rovito MJ. (2013). “Normative Content” and health inequity enculturation: A logic model of men’s health advocacy. American Journal of Men’s Health. 7(3), 243-54.
- Rovito MJ, Gordon TF, Bass SB, DuCette J. (2011). Perceptions of testicular cancer and testicular self-examination among college men: A report on intention, vulnerability, and promotional material preferences. American Journal of Men’s Health. 5(6), 500-507.
