Awareness

Penile cancer presents a difficult challenge, both in raising awareness of the disease and providing support for those who have been affected. Many people will never have heard of it and many Health Care Professionals (HCPs) will never have encountered it and will therefore be unfamiliar with its treatment, side effects and the physical and psychological changes it can cause.

Improving this situation requires the engagement of patient advocates and HCPs, as well as international orginisations involved in patient advocacy.

Orchid is committed to facilitating this and is involved in a number of initiatives to increase awareness and long-term support for anyone who has been affected by this rare disease.

International Penile Cancer Awareness Day

September 20th

In 2020 Orchid suggested that an International Penile Cancer Awareness Day should be recognised as 20th September. The first day was celebrated with an online conference for healthcare professionals, patients, advocates and survivors offering a unique opportunity for all to come together to share their insight, experience and provide peer support.

Each year Orchid will strive to promote International Penile Cancer Awareness Day by engaging with health care professionals, medical organisations, survivors of the disease and advocates through social and other media.

If you would like to learn more or want to help promote this day please contact robert.cornes@orchid-cancer.org.uk

The Penile Cancer Ribbon Story

In 2017 John Francis Grasso was diagnosed with penile cancer and decided to design a ribbon to raise awareness of the disease. In his own words;

“One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is that the rarer a cancer is, the deadlier it can be. Another lesson I’ve learned, is that men need to shed the stigma and start talking about our urogenital and sexual health. Lack of information is as destructive as misinformation. Finally, I’ve learned that I, as a survivor, have to be proactive in caring for other men with this cancer. This cancer is uniquely psychologically traumatic. When I was diagnosed with Penile Cancer, one of the first things I did was scour the internet for an awareness ribbon. An awareness ribbon by its very definition is a symbol of the fact that people know what you’re going through.  We had none. It made me feel like no one knew because no one cared. But I knew, and I cared, and I needed other men to know that I knew, and I cared. So I created a ribbon of my own.  I drew on other designs to craft ours. Penile Cancer is often caused by the HPV virus, just like Cervical cancer. So I made my ribbon two toned, like theirs.  I had a symbol now. We need it. Anyone suffering does.”

Inspired by John`s story Orchid commissioned the design of a physical badge to represent his vision. We are very proud of this imitative and are the only charity to stock this badge which can be ordered here. All proceeds go towards our ongoing fight to raise awareness of and support those affected by the disease.

Reviewed November 2023