Penile Cancer Prevention

While researchers are still working to understand exactly what causes penile cancer, there is enough information available to make recommendations regarding penile cancer prevention. It’s also important for people to familiarize themselves with the signs of penile cancer and for men to report them to their physician right away.

It’s not exactly clear what causes penile cancer, although researchers are learning more about the cancer every day. As with other types of cancer, penile cancer develops when abnormal cells grow out of control. This is generally caused by changes to cell DNA, also called genetic mutations. The genetic mutations that lead to penile cancer do not appear to be inheritable, meaning they are not passed down from one generation to the next. Most patients with penile cancer have no family history of the disease.

The following penile cancer risk factors can affect your chances of developing the disease.

• Age. The risk of developing penile cancer increases with age. The average age at diagnosis in the U.S. is 68.
• Not being circumcised. Circumcision in infancy offers a large degree of protection against penile cancer. Not being circumcised can lead to a buildup of secretions — particularly in men with foreskin that’s difficult to retract and therefore clean — that can irritate the penis and eventually lead to cancer. However, most uncircumcised men in the U.S. will never develop penile cancer.
• HPV infection. About 50% of penile cancers are HPV-positive, but it is unclear if this indicates a causal relationship or merely a correlation. The majority of people with HPV will never develop penile cancer.
• HIV infection. People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at increased risk for penile cancer. This is because their bodies are less likely to fight off HPV infection.
• Smoking. The risk is highest in men who smoke and have HPV.

Most penile cancers can be avoided by circumcision in infancy. However, that is a choice parents need to make with guidance from their child’s pediatrician. Most men, both circumcised and uncircumcised, can avoid penile cancer by adhering to the following penile cancer prevention recommendations from the American Cancer Society:

• Get vaccinated against HPV. The vaccine is recommended for males and females ages 9 to 45. The vaccine does not treat existing HPV infection; it can only prevent one from occurring. That’s why it’s important to get children vaccinated prior to sexual activity.
• Practice good genital hygiene. Men who are not circumcised should be sure to retract and clean under their foreskin regularly.
• Don’t smoke.
• Manage HIV with strict medication adherence.
• Use condoms with all sexual activity.