Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
After one dad ended up having a partial amputation which left him with a ‘mini-me’ penis, it’s important to know what symptoms can be a warning sign.
Robin Hernon decided to trust in ‘Dr Google’ when he dismissed a white spot on his manhood.
The 62-year-old searched his symptoms online and left it for over a year later when he realised it had developed into a noticeable enough growth that he should probably see a GP.
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With a cauliflower-shaped growth on his penis, the bloke ended up referred to a sexual health clinic. But when it became apparent that it wasn’t just a genital wart, Hernon was diagnosed with penile cancer.
The NHS say this is a rare form of cancer and if caught earlier, treatments include creams or laser therapy.
Penil cancer symptoms
Penile cancer often affects the foreskin and tip of the penis, and if it's caught late on, it will often result in surgery.
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As laid out by the NHS, the most common symptoms are:
- a growth, lump or sore that doesn’t heal within 4 weeks
- a rash
- bleeding from your penis or under your foreskin
- a smelly discharge
- difficulty pulling back your foreskin
- a change in the colour of the skin of your penis or foreskin
And other symptoms might also include: a lump in your groin, tiredness, tummy pain or losing weight without trying.
Always seek medical advice from a professional if you are concerned about any symptoms.
Penile cancer treatment
If caught early, penile cancer can be treated using a chemotherapy cream such as 5 fluorouracil (5FU), laser therapy or cryotherapy (freezing the cancer), but unfortunately for Hernon his cancer was caught too late for that.
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“When the specialist said it was penile cancer, I just said to him 'do what you have to do to remove the cancer, I want the rest of my life',” Hernon recalled.
"'I want to get back to my grandkids so take off what you've got to take'.”
The NHS stresses that amputation of part or all of the penis 'is only offered if no other treatment is possible'.
The grandad had a partial penectomy and says he’s been left with a ‘mini-me’ as a result.
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Having had the surgery in June, he said that the cancer was gone by August and is now urging other men to not just dismiss and search their symptoms on the internet.
“It's a man thing [not getting things checked],” Hernon said.
"If anything's not right, get it checked. It's better to see a doctor [and for them] say it's OK [than not].
"I can't stress enough if something isn't right you've got to get it checked.”
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Jess Battison