When Wayne Earle noticed a pimple-like lump on his penis in 2013, he had no idea cancer was about to hit him below the belt.
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When Wayne showed his doctor the lump, he was reassured it was just a genital wart.
However, after being treated with various topical creams, he was diagnosed with stage 3 penile cancer 11 months later.
He had a total penectomy and due to the aggressiveness of his cancer, also had to undergo a lymph node dissection.
Now cancer free, Earl has launched his own charity Check Your Tackle and is a proud ambassador for ANZUP Cancer Trials Group's Fight Cancer Below the Belt campaign.
Wayne said he felt very alone after the rare cancer diagnosis.
"I thought I was the only person in the world that had this type of cancer," he said.
"I found no support networks... and so as a result, I started my own charity in 2016 to raise awareness, education, and support for the guys that get diagnosed with this type of cancer."
The charity's Facebook group now has over 300 members, but while he is happy to have connected with people who share some common ground, life still presents a number of challenges for him.
"I'm now a single man and I'm very reserved when it comes to going out and trying to date," he said.
"We all still have needs and wants. And not being able to do that, that's the stuff that really plays on the back of your mind."
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While he still struggles with the reality of what the cancer has taken from him to this day, Wayne said he had ultimately learnt it is not having a penis that makes you a man - a message he tries to share with those who reach out for support.
"I went through seven months of isolation and didn't come out of the bedroom until I woke up to the reality that life is not that bad," he said.
"I'm still alive and there's things in life that I've achieved that others aren't going to or are unable to."
Below the Belt Cancers (testicular, penile, prostate, bladder, and kidney) affect 90 new people everyday in Australia and New Zealand, accounting for roughly one in every five cancers that are diagnosed.
ANZUP will host a free Community Engagement Forum at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 9.
The forum's aim is to keep people informed about research and clinical trials. It will also discuss life after cancer diagnosis, exploring what options are available after receiving the life-altering news.
The forum will welcome a range of panelists - from researchers and experts in the field to survivors.
People who register will be able to ask questions on key topics and stay up to date on the latest in below-the-belt cancer research.
The forum will take place from 1.30-4pm and bookings are essential.
To register email anzup@anzup.org.au or click here.
