Coping with penile cancer

This page tells you about some of the feelings you may have when you have penile cancer. There is information on

A quick guide to what's on this page
Coping with your diagnosis
Coping during and after treatment
Where to look for help to deal with your feelings

Coping with penile cancer

You will probably feel shocked and upset when you first find out you have penile cancer. These feelings are a natural part of coming to terms with any cancer. You might feel numb, frightened, confused, angry or guilty. All sorts of feelings are likely to come and go. Your family and friends will probably have strong feelings too.

You may feel quite isolated and find it difficult to talk to people. It is not unusual to feel quite embarrassed about having cancer of the penis at first. Our genitals are very private, and it is often embarrassing to talk about them seriously. Who you tell is up to you. And you don't have to talk to everyone at once. You may find it easier to deal with when you have got over your initial shock.

The coping with cancer section contains lots of information you may find helpful. There are sections on your feelings, talking to people about cancer, how to help yourself and who else can help you, sex and sexuality and financial matters.

CR PDF Icon You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the living with penile cancer section.

You will probably feel shocked and upset when you first find out you have penile cancer. These feelings are a natural part of coming to terms with any cancer. You might feel

Numb inside
Frightened and uncertain
Confused
Angry and resentful
Guilty

You may feel some or all of these feelings. Or you may feel totally different. Sometimes it is hard to take in the fact that you have cancer at all. All sorts of feelings are likely to come and go. But everyone reacts in their own way. Your family and friends will probably have strong feelings too.

Coping with treatment for penile cancer can be difficult. How you feel may depend on how easy it is for you to get back to normal after your treatment. This includes any changes to your sex life. Understanding your treatment and getting the support you need can help you cope. There is more information in this section about your sex life after penile cancer, which includes information about the different treatments and how they may affect it. Most men are able to have a sex life after treatment.

It is not unusual to feel low or depressed during or after treatment. A recent review found that treatment affected how men felt about themselves with some needing help to cope. If you feel low in mood or depressed there are a number of people and organisations who can help, including the doctors and nurses caring for you. Our coping with cancer section has a separate section about sadness and depression which you may find helpful.

Remember - you are not alone. Others have gone through similar experiences. You may find it easier to sort through your feelings with the help of someone outside your immediate family and friends.

Look on our page about organisations that support men with penile cancer for people who can help put you in touch with a cancer support group. There are also web based forums for exchanging experiences. It may help to be in touch with someone who has already been through what you are going through now.

The coping with cancer section contains lots of information you may find helpful. There are sections on

Your feelings
Talking to people: who and what to tell
Talking to children
How you can help yourself
Who else can help you
Sex and sexuality
Financial support, including information about benefits and sick pay
Mortgages, pensions, loans and insurance, including travel insurance
Coming to the UK from overseas

You can also contact our cancer information nurses. They would be happy to help.

There are details of counselling organisations listed on our website. These organisations can tell you more about counselling and help you find sources of emotional support in your area.