A businessman had to have his penis amputated after developing a rare form of cancer.
Shaun Evans, who was diagnosed with penile cancer, said he felt like a ‘freak’ after the operation but is now learning to live without the organ and wants to share his story to raise awareness of the disease.
The 55-year-old, from Wolverhampton, initially dismissed what he felt was a ‘bad bruise’ on his penis in June 2022, but became ‘reluctant’ the following month when he noticed blood coming from it and what looked like a cold sore. finally.
He spoke to a cardiologist who had treated him for a heart attack earlier in the year, and was later referred to a specialist, MailOnline reported.
Shaun’s doctor suspected it was penile cancer, but a biopsy was needed to confirm the diagnosis.
However, because Shaun is on blood thinners after his heart attack, the biopsy will have to wait a few months.
During that time, his symptoms worsened and he became so sick that in October 2022 he called an ambulance and was taken to the hospital.
Turns out he had a penile abscess and had to have surgery to drain it.
However, because of the blood thinners, he had to wait another month before that happened. In the meantime he was given antibiotics.
Abscess and biopsy were performed simultaneously, in November 2022.
On December 15, 2022, doctors told him the devastating news that he had penile cancer and that he would likely have to have his penis amputated.
‘I know myself. I wonder how the hell is going to get back to normal. I’m obviously gutted,’ he said.
Later that month, two days before Christmas, Shaun underwent a five-hour amputation at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham.
On Christmas Day a consultant came to see him and explained that he had no choice but to remove it.
‘He said: “I have to remove it. I’ve got everything. I can hold what’s under the surface”‘.
Penile cancer
- Penile cancer is a rare cancer that usually affects the skin of the penis and the foreskin
- It is most common in people over the age of 50.
- Anyone with a penis can get penile cancer.
- How serious penile cancer is depends on the size of the cancer, if the cancer has spread, and your general health.
- Symptoms of penile cancer include:
– a growth, lump or sore that does not heal within 4 weeks
– rash
– bleeding from the penis or in the foreskin
– smelly discharge
– difficulty retracting the foreskin (phimosis)
– changes in the color of the skin of the penis or foreskin - See your GP if you experience any of the above symptoms
- For more information about penile cancer, visit the NHS website.
Shaun said that the time after the operation was the quietest he had ever felt.
‘It’s just numb. It can greatly affect masculinity,’ he explained.
‘I went through all the emotions. I thought “I’m a freak”, “No one is going to want you”.
But then he told himself ‘this is the new Shaun’ and ‘people will accept you as you are’.
Among the changes Shaun has to make since the surgery is sitting when he urinates.
The surgeon rearranged the position of his urethra so he can still urinate but he now goes to the toilet ‘like a woman’ she explained.
The former police support worker, who had a scan a month ago to check she was cancer-free, said she took things ‘day by day’ and appreciated the little things like being able to sit without pain.
He hopes that by talking about his experience, others will be able to recognize the symptoms as early as possible.
Penile cancer is rare in the UK, with around 760 new cases each year, according to Cancer Research UK.
But experts predict cases will increase to 1,100 per year by 2038-2040.
Contact the news team by emailing webnews@metro.co.uk.
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