Everyone knows the joke: Tell Doctor Google about a variety of symptoms and the answer will always be ‘cancer.’ That’s part of the reason so many men wonder if any penis problem might actually be an early sign of penis cancer. But it’s important to remember that good penis care is not just about taking care of physical needs, but emotional and mental ones as well. Understanding the signs of penis cancer can help ease a guy’s mind when things are benign - but can also provide them with the incentive they need to get to the doctor fast if things don’t look right.

Knowing the signs of penis cancer

It’s important to remember that penis cancer is not the same as prostate cancer, though they do occur in the same general vicinity. Prostate cancer involves cancerous cells in the prostate. This requires very different treatment than cancer that occurs in penile tissue. The focus for this article is on penis cancer, so the signs of prostate cancer are not listed here.

A man might be suffering from penis cancer is he is dealing with any of the following symptoms:

1. Penis bumps or lumps, which will usually be large and painful

2. Redness or irritation of the penis that will not go away, no matter how good a man’s penis care regimen might be

3. Sores on the penis that have no clear cause and tend to have trouble healing

4. Bleeding from those sores on the penis

5. Strange discharge, either from the urethra or from the sores

Eagle-eyed guys will notice that several of these symptoms are also signs of some sexually transmitted diseases. The only way to know for sure what is going on with the penis is to visit a doctor and undergo testing for sexually transmitted diseases to rule those out. If there is no STD present, a man might be dealing with something more serious, including penis cancer.

Risk factors for penis cancer

Though cancer can strike anyone, there are some lifestyle choices and medical issues that can make a man more likely to wind up with penis cancer. These include the following:

1. Age - the older a man gets, the more likely he is to develop cancer, including penis cancer. Those who are over the age of 60 are at greatest risk.

2. Some STDs - those who have contracted HPV are at higher risk

3. Uncircumcised - men who are intact are at higher risk, as are men who deal with a foreskin that is unable to retract properly

4. Smoking - those who use tobacco products are at greater risk for almost every health problem, including cancers

5. Personal hygiene - a man who doesn’t have the best hygiene is putting himself at greater risk of eventually developing penis cancer

6. Intimate life choices - a man who has several sexual partners is more likely to develop cancer than a guy who is more discerning.

7. Certain medical conditions - men who are dealing with various medical conditions, such as autoimmune issues, or those who have undergone certain treatments, might be at higher risk for developing penis cancer.

What to do if penis cancer is a concern

If a man thinks he might be dealing with penis cancer, it’s time to visit the doctor. A physician can take a look at the problem, test for a variety of sexually transmitted diseases, rule out other medical conditions, and eventually get to the root of the problem. Visiting the doctor on a regular basis can also provide important peace of mind for a guy who worries about what might be going on with his equipment.

A man should also take the time to reach for a good penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) every day. As an added protection against free radicals that can cause premature aging, the crème should contain alpha lipoic acid. A crème with a healthy dose of vitamin B5, A, D and C can also be helpful.