Steven Hamill, who had four inches of his penis surgically removed after a penile cancer diagnosis, is speaking out about the warning signs men should not ignore. His life changed in 2019 when he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of penile cancer that he said "ate away" at his penis. At just 26 years old, he underwent a partial penectomy, a procedure that removed four inches of the organ.
Now cancer-free, Hamill shared the red flags he experienced, hoping to encourage others to seek medical help early. He told LADbible that the initial sign was swelling of the head of the penis, followed by extensive bleeding.
Bleeding Was Severe, Not Minor
Hamill described the bleeding as far from minimal. "It was all over the floor, dripping down my leg, all over my foot," the father of one said. He compared it to a serious arm wound rather than a nosebleed or blister bleed.
He advised: "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."
Life After Surgery
Hamill also reflected on fatherhood after the procedure. "Being able to conceive a child after it being amputated was a huge step for me personally to know I was still fully functioning," he said. "I could still do that properly. And now I have my four-year-old little boy who's amazing. That helped me a lot."
Common Symptoms to Watch For
Common symptoms of penile cancer include a growth, lump, or sore that does not heal within four weeks, a rash, a smelly discharge, or bleeding from the penis or under the foreskin. Phimosis, the difficulty pulling back the foreskin, is another potential sign, as is any colour change to the area.
