Three months after first noticing a lump on his penis, Alastair Munro was diagnosed with penile cancer.
He’s bravely shared his journey with the BBC – including having a camera crew film the complex surgery to remove 30% of his penis in order to save his life. The episode of Surgeons: At The Edge of Life (Series 8, episode 1) is available on BBC iPlayer from today.
Alastair said: “The whole purpose of it is to raise awareness of men’s cancer. If there’s one person out there who’s got something wrong with their penis but is too embarrassed to go to the doctor, and he watches this programme and says ‘I’d better go to the doctor’, that’s basically the whole purpose of it.
“If anyone finds a lump or is having problems with erection or blood, just get checked out.”
Penile cancer is still relatively rare, affecting around 700 men in the UK each year, but cases are on the rise and early detection is key to successful treatment. Symptoms (see below) include changes to the skin of the penis, a lump or sore that doesn’t heal, and unusual discharge.
To find out more about Alastair’s story, you can read the BBC article here or watch the full programme on BBC iPlayer.
If you or someone you know is affected by prostate, testicular or penile cancer, our free patient and family support groups across Devon and Cornwall offer a space to connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
