Orchid launches new penile cancer awareness campaign #indenial

New research carried out by Orchid reveals that only 6% of adults in the UK would recognise one of the most common signs of penile cancer.  Furthermore over 72% of adults were likely to confuse the signs or penile cancer with a sexually transmitted disease. This is despite cases of the disease increasing in recent years.

Over 600 men will be diagnosed with penile cancer in the UK over the next 12 months and an estimated 1 in 585 men will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. Since the late 1970s, penile cancer incidence rates in males have increased by 25% in the UK. Whilst it is most often diagnosed in men over the age of 60 years, more men in their 30s and 40s are now being affected. Research has suggested that 25% of cases in the UK now occur in males younger than 50.

#indenial is a new campaign to raise awareness of penile cancer. With cases on the increase Orchid wants men, their partners and healthcare professionals to be better aware of the disease, to know who is at risk, to understand the common warning signs and symptoms and to take action.