Surgeons removed 4 inches of a 26-year-old man’s genitalia after he ignored swelling for a week, leaving him unsure if he could have kids
Cancer is scary.
Cancer can have a range of symptoms that might not seem connected to it, which sparked old memes about WebMD telling everybody who searched their symptoms that it might be cancer. Brushing off those symptoms could mean that you have to deal with more aggressive treatments, as cancer tends to spread when left unchecked.
Steven Hamill ignored his symptoms before seeking help, and in 2019 he learned that he had penile cancer. As part of his treatment, he had to have four inches of his penis removed.
Now cancer-free, Steven Hamill talked about his experience with LADbible. While this included answering questions about his condition, Hamill also made sure to share what he experienced as initial symptoms that sent him to the doctor, in case others might notice similar problems.
Swelling was Hamill’s first clue that he had a problem
Specifically, Hamill said, “The initial sign was obviously the swelling of the head.” He also experienced pain and bleeding, noting that the bleeding was quite severe instead of something milder, like a nosebleed.
Having had a partial amputation of his penis at only age 26, Hamill was concerned about how much functionality he would have following the surgery. Considering Hamill is now a father, it turned out that he was able to maintain and regain more functionality than he expected. As he said, “Being able to conceive a child after it being amputated was a huge step for me personally to know I was still fully functioning.”
Hamill had a positive outcome from his experience with cancer and was able to stay functional. In case others might be concerned about penile cancer, he shared some advice: “If it goes like a reddish, brownish colour, go get checked immediately. Any swelling happens down below, go and get it checked. Don’t do a me. Don’t put it off for a week, and let it get to the point it bleeds… They’re the two big ones I would say you need to go and get checked immediately.”
Penile cancer is rare
Penile cancer accounts for fewer than 1% of cancer cases, so it isn’t as common as other types, like breast cancer or leukemia, but cancer is an ailment that can happen to anybody. As with other types of cancer, recognizing that something is wrong and seeking treatment early can improve the outcome.
According to the American Cancer Society, “You should see a doctor if you find a new redness, growth, or other change in your penis, even if it’s not painful. Things like warts, blisters, sores, ulcers, white patches, or other abnormal areas need to be checked by a doctor. Most are not cancer, but they may be caused by an infection or some other condition that needs to be treated.”
While you can reduce your risk by avoiding risk factors linked to penile cancer, such as smoking and HIV, the American Cancer Society says that you can’t exactly get rid of the risk entirely. That’s why it’s important to get any new changes that could be symptoms checked out, as it could just save your life.
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