Man afraid of cancer screening had to have his 'little guy' removed

Although he got married and had children normally, Mr. Van still suffered from phimosis. His hygiene was not guaranteed, so one day his penis swelled up. Because the disease was in a sensitive area, he delayed going to the doctor. When he went to the Central Dermatology Hospital (Hanoi) for examination, the swelling was severe, and the patient was diagnosed with penile cancer. The disease was severe, the cancer had invaded deep into the penis, and the doctor had to remove the entire genitals from the penis to the testicles.

After the wound stabilized, he had a new penis constructed from cartilage and a thigh flap. After surgery, the functions of his "little guy" were still guaranteed.

According to Dr. Pham Cao Kiem, Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery - Rehabilitation, Central Dermatology Hospital, the cause of penile cancer is up to 90% due to phimosis. In fact, many people only think that children have this condition and forget that adults can also have phimosis.

Phimosis causes the foreskin to not be able to be pulled back. Adults with phimosis, poor hygiene leads to urine retention and residue. The residue accumulates under the foreskin due to dead skin cells, bacteria and oil secretions from the skin, which may contain a small amount of carcinogens. This is a favorable environment for bacteria to grow, causing inflammatory diseases such as balanitis, balanoposthitis, urinary tract infections... If these diseases are not treated promptly, they can seriously affect fertility and cause the formation of precancerous factors, said Dr. Kiem.

Normally 80% of 9-10 year old children can retract their foreskin. There are cases where the foreskin is too tight to retract. Therefore, parents need to consider circumcising their children as soon as possible to ensure hygiene and prevent the risk of penile cancer.

Penile cancer ranks 17th among common male cancers. If unusual ulcers appear on the penis, the genital area changes color, bleeding under the foreskin... men need to go for a check-up immediately to screen for cancer.

Disease prevention:

- Check the child's foreskin from an early age. If there is phimosis, it should be treated as soon as possible.

- Maintain personal hygiene and genitals.

- Safe sex: monogamy, use condoms during sex.

- Vaccination against HPV types 16,18.

- Don't smoke.