Orchid Cancer Appeal

Research from male cancer charity Orchid reveals UK men know more about breast and other women's cancers than those which affect only men

1 in 3 men say they're most knowledgeable about breast cancer compared to 1 in 10 men who are familiar with the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer

1 in 10 women say they don't check their breasts compared to 1 in 4 men who don't check their testes

1 in 3 men are not aware they can check themselves for lumps

Only 1 in 5 men admit to being clued up on prostate cancer

1 in 6 men think prostate cancer can affect women

1 in 4 Brits have a family member or close friend with testicular or prostate cancer

Cancer of the penis is very rare in the Western world; it is most often diagnosed in men over the age of 60 years, though can occur in younger men too. There are about 400 cases in the UK every year. It is usually a slow growing cancer and if caught early before further spread the chances of survival are high. Cancer can develop anywhere in the penis but the most common places are under the foreskin and on the head (the glans).

The exact cause of cancer of the penis is not known. It is thought it could be related to general hygiene and is much less common in men who have been circumcised. This is because men who have not been circumcised may find it more difficult to pull back the foreskin enough to clean thoroughly underneath. Infection with a type of virus that causes penile warts (human papilloma virus) also increases the risk of cancer of the penis. Practising safe sex is thought to reduce the risk. Skin diseases that are associated with cancer of the penis include Lichen Planus, Lichen Sclerosus (also known as Balanitis xerotica obliterans) and the frankly precancerous conditions Bowen's Disease and Erythroplasia of Queyrat (collectively called "Carcinoma-in-Situ"). Your risk of developing cancer of the penis is greater if you smoke. As with all cancers a healthy balanced diet and regular exercise (30 minutes a day) may be preventative