Scared

About 8/9 weeks ago I noticed a small reddish mark on the ridge of my penis glans (glands) (4-5mm), the skin was smooth/flat where this patch appeared, it looked as if the skin had been scraped. In time the colour has changed to a reddy/pink and the skin has returned to nearly its normal texture.It is hardly noticeable when the penis is flaccid but much more so when it is erect and particularly after sex. It isnt sore and does not itch.
I have now noticed another very small red blotch (1-2mm) further round the ridge. I have been sexually active for the past 11 months with my new partner as we are trying for a baby and have sex most days, previous to that I had intercourse very infrequently.  
I visited my doctor twice and he said it was nothing to worry about. I then applied hydrocortizone 1% to the area for a few days and it improved. When I stopped the cream it returned after a week or so. I also went to a GUM clinic and had STD tests (all negative) although this was during the time I was applying the cream and there was very little for them to see.
Common sense tells me that it is probably patches of skin I have aggravated by heightened sexual activity and I am trying hard not to keep looking and fiddling (not very successfully!)but this is playing on my mind terribly as I am scared stiff that it might be a sign of penile cancer?
I could arrange a digital picture for you to see if you tell me where to send it?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Your common sense strikes me as absolutely on target.  Penile cancer is quite rare (actually unheard of in the circumcised.)  There is no way that cancer could look the way you describe, nor could the doctors who examined you have overlooked it.  If you continue to be anxious, go back to the clinic and ask again.  Meantime, please leave it alone as much as you can.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff