Man Shaun Evans Shares Harrowing Experience with Penile Cancer to Raise Awareness
When Shaun Evans first noticed a persistent pain in his pelvic area, he didn’t think much of it. However, months later, he faced the shocking news that he might need to have his penis amputated.
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Shaun Evans
As the pain worsened, Shaun noticed bleeding in the shower and found a small, cold sore-like spot at the base of his penis. Alarmed, he sought medical help, and in September 2022, months after his initial symptoms, the former British police staffer was diagnosed with penile cancer.
What followed is a harrowing experience. But Shaun, 55, is courageously sharing his story with The Sun to help other men avoid his fate.
“I wish I’d gone to the doctors when I first felt discomfort and made more of a fuss,” he says. “I’m one of the lucky ones, though. I’m still here.”
Although penile cancer is “very rare,” the NHS reports around 760 cases in the UK each year. This number has increased by 28 percent since the 1990s, and Cancer Research UK predicts it will reach 1,100 cases annually by 2040. Survival rates are high, with 68 percent of men living at least ten years post-diagnosis, but the treatments, especially surgery, can be devastating.
Shaun recounts his journey: “I’m a fastidious bather, but one day, I started feeling discomfort in my penis. It felt like a stitch when you go running.” By June 2022, his discomfort turned to pain, especially when sitting. Despite undergoing cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack in April, he noticed his penis affecting his physical activities.
Things worsened when Shaun noticed bleeding from his foreskin in the shower. “I found something that resembled a cold sore at the base of my penis,” he says. “I hoped it would go away quickly.”
At his final physiotherapy session, Shaun explained his symptoms, and the team suggested he visit an STI clinic. Despite not being sexually active for years, Shaun followed their advice. Early symptoms like pain, discharge, or a lump can resemble sexually transmitted infections such as herpes or syphilis.
“The nurse was dumbfounded when she saw what was going on,” Shaun recalls. Referred to a specialist urologist, he faced increasing pain by August. “I went from walking five miles a night to shuffling. I wasn’t comfortable unless I was lying down.”
In September 2022, a urologist’s examination left him in agony. Referred to another specialist, Shaun noticed unusual discharge and started worrying about cancer. “The cold sore was expanding, and the discharge was getting nastier.”
In September, Shaun received the devastating news: it was penile cancer. “I wasn’t totally shocked, but the reality sank in the next day. It felt surreal.” Doctors initially planned a circumcision to treat the cancer, but Shaun’s condition worsened, leading to severe swelling and pain.
In October, Shaun called an ambulance, fearing sepsis triggered by his cancerous sore. After draining the abscess, he was told he needed surgery. “I knew it needed to be amputated. It looked so bad, I couldn’t imagine how it could be fixed.”
On December 23, 2022, Shaun underwent surgery to remove his penis. “The surgeon held my hand and assured me she’d save as much as she could,” he says. The five-hour surgery successfully removed all cancerous tissue.
In the months following, Shaun experienced phantom sensations. “I’d feel like I had an erection, even though I knew I didn’t have a penis.”
Shaun may undergo reconstruction surgery if he remains cancer-free for five years. “While I can’t now, I still have the plumbing to have children someday,” he adds.
Penile cancer is rare, but Shaun emphasizes the importance of addressing any health concerns promptly. “Men tend to neglect their health, especially with plumbing or sexual issues, but it’s crucial. The survival rate is good for penile cancer, but it can still be fatal. If you experience any embarrassing pain, please speak to someone. Your life could depend on it.”
