# Men: would you choose certain death by cancer over penis amputation? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 21, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540 "2011-08-21T16:55:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/1 "2011-08-21T16:55:42Z")
Obviously inspired by [this current thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=621055) I’ll quote the OP: > [@Kentucky goes to hospital for a circumcision and gets his penis amputated.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentucky-goes-to-hospital-for-a-circumcision-and-gets-his-penis-amputated/593366/1): > > Well, [this](http://www.theolympian.com/2011/08/18/1764847/ky-jury-selected-in-penis-amputation.html?storylink=fb) is unsettling. Man goes to hositpal for a circumcision, while he’s in surgery the surgeon apparently found cancer and deemed it necessary to remove his penis then & there; without bother to wake him or anything. There has _got_ to be more to it than this. Are the consent forms really _that_ vague? :eek: Why couldn’t removing the penis wait until Mr Seaton was able to get a 2nd opinion or at least be awake and able to give/deny consent? Assuming his wife was the one to take him to the hospital and was present in the hospital during the operation why wasn’t she asked; presumably she has power of attorney? Note the hospital settled out of court; presumably with everything sealed and no admission of anything by anyone. > > I seriously belive I’d rather die of cancer than have my penis cut off. If I was Mr Seaton I probally would’ve murdered Dr Patterson by now (or at least cut his dick off). Let’s change the scenario slightly. Assume that you go into the hospital for whatever reason, and your doctor discovers you have such pervasive cancer of the penis that the whole thing’s gotta go or you’re a goner–_but_, unlike in the Kentucky case, does not do so immediately and without getting your explicit consent. Rather, your doctor informs and and gives you time to get a second and third opinion. The second opinion agrees that the penis must be removed post haste; the third thinks it should hvae been done yesterday. Do you consent to this? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/2 "2011-08-21T17:35:02Z")
I’m female and I like polls… 😃 I think that unless the procedure is something like brain surgery where a bleeder pops and it _has_ to be dealt with immediately so a tiny part of the brain has to be damaged to seal the bleeder off give the poor guy the choice. I know it may go against _your_ morals to let someone die when a single procedure can cure the problem, but your morals may not be his morals. As memory points out, a simple toe being amputated would probably have extended Bob Marley’s life for several years, he chose to not have it removed and he died. Much as I would like to have had more years of Bob Marley music, it was his choice. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/3 "2011-08-21T17:39:36Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > I’m female and I like polls… 😃 > > I think that unless the procedure is something like brain surgery where a bleeder pops and it _has_ to be dealt with immediately so a tiny part of the brain has to be damaged to seal the bleeder off give the poor guy the choice. I know it may go against _your_ morals to let someone die when a single procedure can cure the problem, but your morals may not be his morals. As memory points out, a simple toe being amputated would probably have extended Bob Marley’s life for several years, he chose to not have it removed and he died. Much as I would like to have had more years of Bob Marley music, it was his choice. You’re answering a question no one asked. I’m not interesting in talking about whether the doctors in the Kentucky case should have done what they did; there’s at least two threads already discussing that. I asked if any man on the board, faced with that dilemma and the time to think about it, would choose death. I voted cut the sucker off. I mean, I like sex and I like peeing sans catheter, but I want to _live_ even more. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/4 "2011-08-21T19:32:31Z")
Me and Godzilla have had lots of fun together, and hopefully lots more, but death doesn’t hold much appeal. Life with a wang or death? Junk the Junk. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/5 "2011-08-21T19:40:09Z")
I’d miss ole John Henry, but face it - with modern reconstructive and trans-gender surgery, he can be replaced. _“Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world’s first bionic dong. John Henry II will be that dong. Better than he was before. Better…stronger…Harder.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/6 "2011-08-21T19:57:51Z")
I voted the second option, though it’s not quite precisely correct. I _would_ opt for the phallectomy, and wouldn’t need any time for the decision itself. But I would need time for various other preparations. In particular, I’d want to build up a decent-sized supply of banked sperm (which _could_ be extracted sans penis, but with considerably more difficulty and discomfort). Better yet, of course, would be proper hygienic maintenance before-hand, to ensure that it would never be necessary. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/7 "2011-08-21T20:01:30Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I voted cut the sucker off. I mean, I like sex and I like peeing sans catheter, but I want to _live_ even more. Bingo. I want to be there every step of the way as my kid grows up; anything else is secondary. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/8 "2011-08-21T20:07:30Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I’d miss ole John Henry, but face it - with modern reconstructive and trans-gender surgery, he can be replaced. > > _“Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world’s first bionic dong. John Henry II will be that dong. Better than he was before. Better…stronger…Harder.”_ > [@Lancia](#): > > Me and Godzilla have had lots of fun together, and hopefully lots more, but death doesn’t hold much appeal. Life with a wang or death? Junk the Junk. Rhymer Rules require that I say something vicious and cruel and vaguely homophobic about men who name their penii, but if I do so I can’t reasonably use the construction _penii_ in the same sentence, and on balance that’s most important. If you guys could pretend I insulted y’all so blatantly you considered punching me in the schnozz, that would be great. ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/9 "2011-08-21T20:12:13Z")
I am voting missing option. I would try to incorperate the procedure with a sex change. I know the sex change operation involves the penis in some way but at least give it a shot. I am not fem at all but i might as well at lest find a way to feel and act on my sexual desires. I am a a bit versital bi. I would give being a woman a shot. If I dont like it no big deal. I still dont have a penis. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/10 "2011-08-21T20:37:15Z")
> [@fifty-six](#): > > I am voting missing option. > > I would try to incorperate the procedure with a sex change. I know the sex change operation involves the penis in some way but at least give it a shot. I am not fem at all but i might as well at lest find a way to feel and act on my sexual desires. I am a a bit versital bi. I would give being a woman a shot. If I dont like it no big deal. I still dont have a penis. I don’t think that’s going to happen. I seem to recall that gender reassignment surgery involves a great dealof psychological counseling beforehand (though I’m not going to look for a cite just now; maybe manana). Also the new vagina is constructed largely from the tissue of the former penis (all those nerve endings, don’t you know), which is problematic when said penis is cancerous. ETA: Also, I seriously doubt the oncologist or surgeon performing this procedure is qualified to do gender reassignment. And remember, all three of the physicians you’ve consulted agree the surgery needs to be done quickly, and one thinks it is already overdue. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/11 "2011-08-21T20:50:40Z")
It IS possible to do a vaginal reconstruction _without_ the use of penile tissue (it has been done for women who lost their vaginas for one reason or another, and it wouldn’t surprise me to hear of it in at least a few sex-change cases even if that’s NOT standard practice). There are issues with it, and it’s not always successful, but it’s certainly possible. However, I think the docs involved in dealing with the cancer would say let’s deal with the cancer first and talk about reconstruction of any sort later, after you’re healed up a bit and have some time to think _that_ over. Besides, there’s more to a sex change than making and outie into an innie, or vice versa. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/12 "2011-08-21T21:34:43Z")
It’s just a penis. Chop it off if it lets me live a few more years. No brainer. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/13 "2011-08-21T21:37:40Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Rhymer Rules require that I say something vicious and cruel and vaguely homophobic about men who name their peni… Some women think it’s adorable. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/14 "2011-08-21T21:40:36Z")
Eh, what’s life without a dick? ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/15 "2011-08-21T21:41:53Z")
> [@fifty-six](#): > > I am voting missing option. > > I would try to incorperate the procedure with a sex change. I know the sex change operation involves the penis in some way but at least give it a shot. I am not fem at all but i might as well at lest find a way to feel and act on my sexual desires. I am a a bit versital bi. I would give being a woman a shot. If I dont like it no big deal. I still dont have a penis. So you are bisexual? Your life gets more interesting with every post. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/16 "2011-08-21T21:41:56Z")
> [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](#): > > Eh, what’s life without a dick? A lot less trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/17 "2011-08-21T22:27:52Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > A lot less trouble. A lot less fun and worthwhile, I’d say. Unless I was 80 years old or something. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/18 "2011-08-21T22:46:32Z")
> [@](#): > > Rhymer Rules require that I say something vicious and cruel and vaguely homophobic about men who name their penii, but if I do so I can’t reasonably use the construction penii in the same sentence, and on balance that’s most important. What’s a penius? In other words, you do that just to piss off Latin-speakers, don’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/19 "2011-08-21T22:48:41Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Rhymer Rules require that I say something vicious and cruel and vaguely homophobic about men who name their penii, Some men don’t?? Nameless penii? I find that hard to believe. Someone should do a poll - it could have penii in the title. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540/20 "2011-08-21T23:23:26Z")
> [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](#): > > Some men don’t?? Nameless penii? I find that hard to believe. Someone should do a poll - it could have penii in the title. What the hell… [pedantic prick] _ **penes** _ [/pedantic prick] [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-choose-certain-death-by-cancer-over-penis-amputation/593540.md?page=2)