Penile Cancer

Causes

The exact cause of penile cancer is unknown.  However scientists have identified a number of risk factors that increase  a person's chance of getting penile cancer.  Certain risk factors are associated with poor hygiene and is much less common in men who have been circumcised (circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis) soon after birth.  This does not mean that being circumcised will prevent penile cancer but it is thought to be a contributing factor.

Infection with a type of virus (human papilloma virus  types 16 and 18) that causes penile warts also increases the risk of cancer of the penis. This may account for the low incidence among jews, Muslims and people of other cultures that practice circumcision at birth or shortly thereafter.