It’s every man’s worst nightmare.
Cases of penile cancer are on the rise around the world and are expected to increase by a staggering 77 percent over the next 26 years, a new study finds. BBC.
According to British media outlets, Germany saw a 50% increase in cases between 1961 and 2012, and the UK has also seen a large increase in cases.
“Although incidence and mortality from penile cancer remain high in developing countries, incidence rates are also on the rise in most European countries,” researchers from China’s Sun Yat-sen University said in a large-scale analysis published today using the latest data from 43 countries.
Brazil has one of the highest rates of penile cancer in the world after Uganda.
Between 2012 and 2022, 21,000 cases of penile cancer were reported in Brazil and 4,000 men died from the disease.
In addition, 6,500 men in the country have had their limbs forced amputated.
Brazilian doctors believe HPV is low [human papillomavirus] Vaccination rates are contributing to the increase in cases.
Mauricio Denell Cordeiro, from the Brazilian Urological Society, said HPV was “one of the main risk factors” for penile cancer.
“In Brazil, despite the availability of the vaccine, HPV vaccination coverage remains at 57% among girls and does not exceed 40% among boys,” he told the BBC. “The ideal coverage to prevent the disease is 90%.”
Meanwhile, other doctors are weighing in on what should be done to reduce the risk.
“Established risk factors include unprotected sex, particularly not using condoms, and poor hygiene increases the risk further,” Dr Neil Barber, clinical lead for urology at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, told the BBC.
He also said these cases were mostly seen in uncircumcised patients.
Other doctors say the ageing population is also contributing to the rise in cases, as penile cancer is most common in men in their 60s.
Men who experience penile discharge, changes in penis color, or significant changes in sex drive should see a doctor, as early detection is key to avoiding amputation.
However, men can take relative peace of mind as the cancer remains one of the rarer, despite a sharp increase in diagnoses worldwide.
In Uganda, the incidence of penile cancer was 2.2 per 100,000 men between 2008 and 2012, while in Brazil it was 2.1 per 100,000 men.