Top 5 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Penile Cancer

Penile Cancer Causes

Although the exact origin of penile cancer is unknown, there are certain risk factors that might raise your risk of developing it. The virus that causes genital warts, the human papillomavirus (HPV), increases the risk of penile cancer in men who possess it. Another risk factor for penile cancer is age, and men under the age of forty are less likely to be affected by the disorder, but men older than sixty years are most likely to experience it.

The most important lifestyle risk linked to penile cancer causes is smoking because cigarette smoke contains chemicals that can harm penile cells, increasing your chance of developing the illness. Phimosis, a condition that affects the penis and makes it harder for the foreskin to retract, increases the risk of infections like balanitis! Infections might impair your immune system, so recurring infections have been associated with an increased risk of acquiring some forms of penile cancer.

What are the Symptoms of Penile Cancer?

If you experience any of the symptoms listed below, consult a physician straight away so that the underlying reason may be identified and, if necessary, addressed. The earlier a diagnosis is reached after experiencing penile cancer symptoms, the sooner treatment may begin, and the more probable it is to be effective.

1. Skin Changes

A change in the skin of the penis is typically one of the first penile cancer symptoms! This can occur on the shaft, although it is most commonly found on the glans, or tip, of the penis, or on the foreskin in uncircumcised males. These changes might consist of a thickening of the skin in that location, color shifts in the skin, a bump, a velvety, crimson rash beneath the foreskin, crusty bumps, bluish-brown growths, smelly fluid discharge, and bleeding beneath the skin.

Penile cancer tumors and sores often don't hurt, however, that is not always the case. Even if there is no discomfort, you should still visit a doctor if you notice any new growth or other abnormalities on your penis, and any alteration that worsens or doesn't improve after four weeks should be taken seriously.

2. Lumps in the groin area

The lymph nodes in the groin are typically the first place the cancer spreads if it progresses from the penis, and these lymph nodes may enlarge as a result. The growths are often very small, scarcely perceptible, and bean-sized, and may feel like smooth bumps under the skin when they are enlarged.

However, enlarged lymph nodes may not necessarily indicate metastases of malignancy, and more frequently, an infection causes lymph nodes to enlarge. However, do not take chances, and get checked by a doctor if this happens to you.

3. Swelling

Penile cancer may also manifest as swelling at the tip of the penis, particularly in cases when the foreskin is not removed, and if this happens, pulling the foreskin back could be difficult because of the swelling.

5 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Penile Cancer

Learn all about penile cancer risk factors so that you can reduce the chances of getting this cancer! The best ways you can reduce penile cancer are listed below:

1. Circumcision

A male adult person’s chance of developing penile cancer is decreased by circumcision, and because of that, it's critical to consider circumcision's medical advantages. As you weigh your alternatives for yourself, why not go over the advantages of circumcision with your healthcare practitioner?

2. HPV Vaccine

Gardasil, Gardasil-9, and Cervarix are the three vaccinations that the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has licensed to prevent HPV! Ideally, vaccinations should be received before engaging in sexual activity or between the ages of nine and twenty-six, but you should consult your healthcare professional about the possible advantages of immunization even if you are older.

3. Phimosis Treatment

Adults who are not circumcised may get phimosis for a variety of reasons, including infections or poor personal hygiene. Penile cancer risk can be decreased by identifying the underlying cause and obtaining timely treatment for this issue!

4. Good Hygiene

Maintaining good personal cleanliness is essential to reduce penile cancer risks! Regularly washing your penis with warm water and mild soap will help get rid of bacteria that can lead to infection or irritation. Keep in mind, to avoid the accumulation of smegma if you are not circumcised, you can draw back your foreskin and wipe the head of your penis.

5. Safe Sex Practices

Condoms are not always fully effective at preventing HPV infection, nevertheless, you may lower your chance of HPV infection or STIs by using them appropriately and regularly, which will help with penile cancer prevention. Reducing the number of sexual partners you have and always going for safe sex practices also lowers the chance of getting penile cancer later!

Penile Cancer Treatment

Cure for penile cancer depends on the stage of the cancer, whether it has spread, and the likelihood that the cancer may return (recur) after therapy! All of these factors affect your course of treatment, and your healthcare professional may suggest any one or all of the following therapies for cure for penile cancer:

• Medicated creams

• Circumcision

• Laser therapy

• Cryotherapy

• Mohs surgery

• Radiation therapy

• Chemotherapy

• Penectomy

• Lymphadenectomy

Final Remarks

Penile cancer is a rare form of cancer and yet it is no less serious than other types of cancer! It is best that you follow the prevention methods we discussed above to reduce the risk of penile cancer. If you see any type of unusual growth on your penis, you should immediately contact a doctor, and get checked. This is because, the earlier penile cancer is diagnosed, the higher the chances of penile cancer cure without invasive treatments such as surgery!

Give Medanta a call for penile cancer diagnosis and treatment by top cancer specialists!