Publication date:  October 2012        Review date: October 2014

Penile cancer can start out as a tightening of the foreskin or a red blotch on the end of the penis (the glans) and can grow into a lump. The cancer can spread and affect parts of the groin called ‘lymph nodes’. As a rare cancer, with approximately 400 new diagnoses in the UK every year, this condition is treated by specialist centres that are spread out across the regions of the UK. The standard treatment is to surgically remove the cancer and any lymph nodes that affected. The larger the cancer, the greater the amount of penile tissue that needs removing, which means that surgery can have implications for sexual relations and going to the toilet. Nevertheless, the surgery is technically uncomplicated, most men quickly recover good physical health and the chances of cure are high. We interviewed 27 men about their experiences of this condition. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.