Steve – Interview 15
Steve found an abrasion on his penis. After seeing his GP he was falsely diagnosed with Herpes. His condition did not respond to treatment and he was referred to a dermatologist who diagnosed cancer in 2005. Steve underwent a partial penectomy, reconstructive surgery and removal of lymph nodes.
When Steve found an abrasion on his penis he thought it would clear up without intervention. He presumed it was an occupational injury acquired through his working with stone. After about four months of self-medicating with Savlon the condition showed no improvement so he visited his GP who, without an examination, diagnosed Herpes and he was sent home without treatment. A return visit to another GP resulted in another diagnosis of Herpes, this time with treatment. After three weeks, with the condition still failing to respond to treatment and after much pressure and persuasion on his part Steve was referred to the GU Med clinic at his local hospital. Here he received a diagnosed of lichen sclerosis and was treated for seven months. At this time Steve started to get tightening of his foreskin which necessitated a circumcision. He feels that at this stage he received little or no support from those treating him. After his condition remained non-responsive he was referred to a dermatologist, and he remained under his care for eighteen months. Eventually the dermatologists decided Steve needed further investigations and performed a biopsy on the affected tissue. The results of the biopsy revealed that Steve had cancer and he was immediately referred to a urologist at the Specialist Penile Cancer Centre. He had first noticed his symptoms in 2002 and it was now 2005 and the cancer was too large to be treated with anything other than surgery.
Three weeks after seeing the urologist Steve underwent a partial penectomy and reconstructive surgery, having rather more of his penis removed than he had expected. About two months later he had further surgery to remove some lymph nodes.
Throughout this time Steve was supported by his partner (now his wife) but didn’t tell his children the full story he wanted to spare them the anxiety. After the surgery he told a few friends, finding it easier to be open rather than trying to hide things. He has praise for both the Specialist Penile Cancer Centre and the Macmillan nurses but is angry with his GPs for ignoring the potential seriousness of his condition and putting it down to his sexual behaviour.
Still running 10k at sixty two Steve continues to train regularly at the gym. He has had to learn to adapt his urinary and sexual practices but finds this unproblematic. He leads a full and active life with his new wife and considers it his duty to be there for others particularly his family, friends and his elderly neighbours. He finds that he can help other cancer sufferers by talking about his experiences.
Following his surgery Steve had check-ups every three months, then every four months, then every six months. Normally, if all is well, there would be no more hospital visits after three years but unfortunately the lichen sclerosus returned and as Steve would be unable to tell the difference between that and cancer he still has to be seen every six months. However, he feels quite categorically that regarding the cancer, he’s beaten it.