They had to remove 30% of my penis to save my life, and that's why I agreed to let them film the surgery.

Photo caption: Alastair Munro noticed a small lump on his penis and went to the doctor. Author, Catherine Lyst Author title, BBC News Scotland 12 minutes Reading time: 6 min When Alastair Munro noticed a small lump on his penis starting to grow, he suspected it was something serious. Although he delayed seeing a doctor for about six weeks, he was barely examined, and the doctor warned him that it could be cancer. "It was quite a strong statement," says Alastair, a 49-year-old construction engineer. "I was shocked. They couldn't confirm it 100%, but they suspected it was cancer." A week later, the urologist at Raigmore Hospital confirmed the same suspicion. "Then, all that was left was the biopsy." That's how, three months after noticing the lump for the first time, Alastair received confirmation that he had penile cancer, a rare condition. "I was quite shocked, but I was already sure it was cancer," he tells BBC News Scotland. "I had never heard of this type of cancer before. Things moved pretty quickly after that." A CT scan confirmed that the cancer was spreading. Alastair's surgery was filmed by a BBC camera crew and included in an episode of Surgeons: At The Edge of Life, a medical documentary series. Skip Most read and continue reading Most read End of Most read Tumor removal The complex medical procedure involved removing the tumor and, with it, 30% of Alastair's penis, in a surgery that lasted seven hours. The cancer had spread to the lymph nodes, so they had to be removed as well. Despite the pain and discomfort, Alastair is grateful for the care he received. "The doctors and nurses were amazing," he says. "They explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable." Photo caption: The tumor removal involved the loss of 30% of Alastair's penis. After the surgery, Alastair had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The treatment was tough, but he is determined to beat the cancer. "I'm a fighter," he says. "I'm not going to let this thing beat me." Alastair is now in remission, but he will have to undergo regular checkups to make sure the cancer doesn't return. He is also using his experience to raise awareness about penile cancer. "It's a rare type of cancer, but it's important for men to be aware of it," he says. "If you notice anything unusual, see a doctor right away." Quick response Shukla, who has been a specialist doctor for 14 years, points out that Scotland has the highest incidence of penile cancer in the UK. "The projection is that, between 2030 and 2040, the number will continue to rise. Therefore, we must be prepared to provide good care for these patients." The specialist explains that many of his patients have never heard of penile cancer. In addition, men avoid seeking medical attention due to embarrassment, even in relation to prostate cancer, which is more widely known. Shukla adds that primary care physicians may also misdiagnose cancer as genital candidiasis, and it is only after several weeks of treatment that the patient is referred to the hospital. Photo caption: The removal of the tumor involved the loss of 30% of Alastair's penis. Generally, they are first sent to a local hospital before accessing one of the specialized centers. "It is important for men to act quickly," says Shukla, who adds that risk factors include smoking, obesity, hygiene, and the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV), many of which may be linked to social vulnerability. However, anyone can suffer from this disease, regardless of age or socioeconomic status, says the doctor, who believes that Scotland needs more specialized nurses and psychological support for patients. This is the first time Shukla has appeared in a television series. "For me, the main motivation was to try to see if there would be patients willing to share their story, and Alastair is very brave for doing so because it is something deeply personal." "It is about sharing their case so that their experience can help other men," adds Shukla. Click here to read more stories from BBC News Mundo. Subscribe here to our new newsletter to receive a selection of our best content of the week every Friday. And remember that you can receive notifications in our app. Download the latest version and activate them.