Yahoo News Eric hoped it would go away on its own. Then he was given 12 months to live
When Eric Campbell began experiencing painful symptoms in his genital area, he hoped the issue would go away on its own.
But as the problem persisted, the 67-year-old was left in agony – feeling too embarrassed to visit doctors about his condition.
Eric, from Old Trafford, kept quiet about his suffering until his partner forced him to see a medical professional in 2021.
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That’s when he was diagnosed with penile cancer, a very rare cancer which affects just 700 men in the UK every year.
The disease had progressed so much by the time Eric sought help that he was given just 12 months to live. Tragically, he died in October 2023.
His younger brother Granville now believes his sibling would still be here today if he had opened up to others about his symptoms.
“My brother could have, and would have, received an earlier diagnosis if he had been brave enough to seek doctors’ advice at the first sign of any health-related illness,” the 59-year-old said.
“But he chose to stay quiet and was suffering over a period of time. Unaware his symptoms at the time were slowly escalating, he felt unable to open up and get medical advice.
“He eventually made an appointment with the doctor. After examination, Eric was diagnosed with a form of cancer that had taken hold so much that he was given less than 12 months to live.
“The Afro-Caribbean community, especially the men, do not speak of such things unless they are pushed into it by a family member or loved one. I now know that Eric would still be here if he had spoken out and sought help in the early stages of his cancer diagnosis, where he was a patient at The Christie until his passing.”
According to the NHS, the most common symptoms of penile cancer are lumps, sores or growths that do not heal within four weeks; a rash bleeding from the penis or under the foreskin; a smelly discharge; difficulty pulling back the foreskin (phimosis) or a change in the colour of the skin of the penis or foreskin.
Other symptoms may include a lump in the groin, feeling tired, stomach pain and losing weight without trying.
An avid darts fan who worked as a forklift driver for more than 40 years, Granville says Eric was known to be very friendly and would buy anyone a drink in the pub.
He’s now urging other men to get any strange symptoms checked out before it’s too late.
“He didn’t want the family to know about it,” the grandad-of-two said. “It was causing him pain and his partner pushed him to go. She didn’t like seeing him go through his pain.
“After his diagnosis, I think he was a bit oblivious to the severity of it all, he thought he would get some treatment and be okay again. That’s the way he dealt with it. I don’t know if that was a good or bad thing.
“He worked all his life and was fit. All those things roll around in your head, and you’re thinking, why? Why us?
“If you have symptoms and have family members, think about them. But when you’re going through that, you don’t think that way.
“Just go. Just go and get checked out. There’s no embarrassment in going to the doctors.”
Granville is now set to take part in The Great Manchester Run on May 26 to raise money for The Christie, the Manchester cancer centre where Eric received treatment before his passing.
“Taking part in this year’s Great Manchester Run in support of The Christie Charity is in his memory, and to highlight the message to all men to feel empowered - help is out there if we talk,” he added.
“Initially I wanted to support a spinal support charity, due to my sporting injury, but at this same time my mother was receiving some treatment at The Christie hospital for a brain tumour. It was then my love for the work The Christie was doing hit home to me, and I decided to give something back by fundraising.
Abbie Wick, sporting events officer at The Christie Charity said, “Granville’s message ‘it’s good to talk’ is such an important one for us all. His relentless fundraising for The Christie Charity has been so impressive and we all wish him all the very best of luck for this year’s Great Manchester Run.”
