I had to have most of my penis chopped off after incessant itch turned terminal – I was given a year to live

WHEN Patrick Howard noticed his penis was itchy, red and sore, it was suggested he could have thrush.

But his irritable symptoms led to a terminal diagnosis and two-third of his penis being “chopped off”.

Patrick Howard was initially told the symptoms affecting his penis were thrush Patrick with his wife Laura

Patrick, 65, had been diagnosed with “by accident” in October 2018 after undergoing routine check-ups and blood tests, and underwent a procedure to remove his prostate.

Two years later, in April 2020, he noticed itching and redness on his penis, and a specialist confirmed in October it was an “aggressive” form of penile cancer, caused by (HPV) – and his diagnosis is terminal.

Patrick, who is retired and lives with his 59-year-old wife Laura in , Merseyside, had jokingly said “surely they’re not going to chop it off?”

But his consultant said a penectomy was the best course of treatment, and he had two-thirds – approximately four inches – of his penis surgically removed.

Patrick said he “didn’t know penile cancer existed” and he went to see a specialist at Clatterbridge Hospital, Wirral on October 9 2020 – his 61st birthday.

He explained: “It was a beautiful day and I breezed in there, feeling lucky to actually see a in person (during the Covid-19 pandemic).

“And my GP said, ‘I hate to say it, but I think you’ve got penile cancer’.”

Recalling being given his “bleak” prognosis of just 12 months to live, he said: “We were shocked, deeply shocked, and he said I needed to have an operation.

“I said to Laura, my now-wife, ‘I don’t know what operation they’re going to do, but surely they’re not going to chop it off?’

“And she said, ‘Well, I hate to say this, but I think that’s exactly what they’re going to do’.”

Feeling “bewildered” about the prospect of a penectomy, Patrick was referred to The Christie Foundation Trust in , the largest single site cancer centre in , where he underwent further tests and scans.

At this point, he said he was told he had as well, as doctors had discovered a tumour on his kidney.

He then had the procedure to remove a large section of his penis, followed by surgery to remove some lymph nodes around his groin and pelvic area.

When lumps continued to appear after this, he underwent radiotherapy, followed by two types of , the second of which was “brutal”.

But he has defied doctors’ expectations, outliving his initial 12-month prognosis.

I had something like a 7 per cent chance of survival, and I remember thinking, ‘someone’s got to get the winning ticket’

Patrick Howard

Patrick said: “I had something like a 7 per cent chance of survival, and I remember thinking, ‘someone’s got to get the winning ticket’.

“Now doctors have said I am no longer in the less than 12 months to live category.

“I’m perilously close to two years without treatment now, which is extraordinary, and I now have scans every six months.

“You either go for it, or you succumb to it.”

Now, ahead of International Penile Cancer Awareness Day on September 20, as Patrick approaches nearly two years since his last treatment, he cannot believe his progress.

Penile cancer is very rare and mostly affects men aged over 50 – and roughly half of all penile cancers are caused by certain types of HPV, the NHS says.

The likelihood of needing a penectomy for penile cancer varies significantly depending on the stage of the cancer.

‘It’s strengthened mine and Laura’s relationship’

Patrick said he questioned doctors over whether he would be able to urinate normally and have sex again after the operation, which he can still do, and he wants to encourage men to be open about these “important” topics.

Speaking about intimacy with Laura, he explained: “It’s not penetrative, but there’s a whole load of other things you can do, and there’s still a lot of pleasure and sensation.

“It’s only strengthened our strong relationship.”

Patrick and Laura got married on November 5 2021 and the couple, who have six children between them, have since embarked on “amazing adventures”, completing a road trip around , in The Alps and visiting Corfu, and .

When they got married, Patrick was going through treatment and said he did not think he would make it to the first anniversary, let alone their fourth coming up this November.

But since his chemotherapy finished in October 2023, Patrick has had no further treatment and his consultant said he is “exceeding expectations”, with no further progression of the disease.

“We cram stuff in, we enjoy ourselves and we just do loads of lovely things,” Patrick said.

“The important decisions are the ones about the time you spend together with friends, with family, and making the most of it.

Patrick and Laura got married on November 5 2021 The couple have since embarked on amazing adventures together Patrick now wants to raise more awareness of penile cancer and HPV

“While I do have some lasting and lingering side effects, like brain fog and lymphoedema, and I get tired more easily, it doesn’t diminish our joy and appetite for doing the best we can with every single day.”

Although he is uncertain whether he will need further treatment in future, Patrick wants to raise more awareness of penile cancer and HPV and encourage men to speak out.

After his terminal diagnosis in 2020, Patrick said he never imagined reaching this point, where he can talk about making plans for “four or five years’ time”.

Speaking about his advice to others, he said: “All men should go and get checked and keep their partner in the loop from the beginning. I wouldn’t have been able to get through this without Laura.

“Definitely talk to your nearest and dearest and don’t be embarrassed.

“Rather than being overwhelmingly consumed by the potential doom and gloom component, there is always something you can cling on to, some level of hope.

“It’s always good to have something positive to look forward to.”

Laura added: “To get nearly two years without treatment, that’s been incredible.

“We’re still living life as if Patrick’s got less than 12 months to live, but when someone you love has that diagnosis, it changes how you see everything and you want to do the most you can.”

For more information and support, visit Orchid’s website at orchid-cancer.org.uk , Global Action on Men’s Health’s website at gamh.org and NOMAN is an Island’s website at nomancampaign.org .