Penile Cancer

Penile cancer is a rare type of cancer that occurs on the skin of the penis or within the penis.  It effects less than 1% of men in Europe with incidence  normally found in men over the age of 50 although detection in younger population is increasing in some countries.

You should be aware of any abnormalities or signs of penile cancer, including:

• a growth or sore on the penis that doesn't heal within four weeks
• bleeding from the penis or from under the foreskin
• a foul-smelling discharge
• thickening of the skin of the penis or foreskin that makes it difficult to draw back the foreskin (phimosis)
• a change in the colour of the skin of the penis or foreskin
• a rash on the penis

If you experience these symptoms above, it's important to speak with your doctor as soon as possible.  It's unlikely they'll be caused by penile cancer, but they need to be investigated. 

The cause of penile cancer isn't known, but certain risk factors can increase your chances of getting it, including:

• carrying the human papilloma virus (HPV) – there are more than 100 types of HPV; some types cause genital warts
• age – the condition rarely affects men under the age of 40 and is most common in men aged over 50
• smoking – chemicals found in cigarettes can damage cells in the penis, which increases your risk of getting penile cancer
• having phimosis – when the foreskin is difficult to retract, the chances of developing infections like balanitis increase; repeated infections are linked to a higher risk of developing some types of penile cancer as they can weaken your immune system

If you are diagnosed with penile cancer, the health professional looking after your care will discuss treatment options with you. Treatment will depend on the size of the affected area and the rate at which the cancer has spread. We are here to support you !