Man using cancer shock to help others

A personal trainer for nearly two decades, Joe Merrall is fit, healthy and in tune with his body – so learning he had penile cancer two days before Christmas was a bolt out of the blue.

In September, the Auckland man noticed a tiny lump on his penis. He didn’t think much of it, but had it checked as it was a bit tender.

A few weeks later, Merrall, 39, could tell from the look on the specialist’s face something wasn’t right. That was confirmed with the words: ‘‘ We need to get a biopsy, it could be cancerous.’’

The spot kept growing and became increasingly painful. With Christmas nigh, Merrall headed to Blenheim to be with family. On December 23, he got the biopsy results: it was cancer.

In early January, Merrall learnt the tumour would need to be surgically removed. The surgery is called a penectomy: partial or complete removal of the penis.

He drafted a post on his Facebook page, explaining his diagnosis – the shock of learning he had cancer, grappling with where it was, the mental and financial anguish of being sick and off work – and left it there ‘‘for ages’’.

He knew he would need to explain his absence to his clients. But more than that, he knew that sharing could help others around him. The outpouring of support was ‘‘ridiculous’’. Men and women said he inspired them to go and get something checked that they had shrugged off or not deemed important.

Merrall is determined to take his diagnosis and ‘‘turn a negative into a positive: I want to help people’’.

He underwent a partial penectomy on January 19, removing the tumour and a 5mm margin. He’s still waiting to hear the extent of the disease.

Dr Chris Jackson, professor of oncology at the University of Otago, said penile cancer accounted for less than 1% of all male cancers.

Jackson said many men may feel reluctant to consult doctors about issues with their genitals. ‘‘Don’t let embarrassment get in the way of getting checked out.’’