Q: What are the risk factors for a man to get cancer or the penis?
A: The risk factors associated with an increased chance of getting cancer of the penis include smoking, not being circumcised and poor penile hygiene. Cancer of the penis occurs more frequently in men who are 50-70 years old and who are from a developing country.

Q: What is the association between cancer of the penis and circumcision?
A: There is a 3x decrease in the risk of developing a cancer of the penis in men who are circumcised at birth. Cancer of the penis is relatively rare in the Jewish and Muslim cultures where males are circumcised early in life. Cancer of the penis Occurs more frequently in Hindu’s, a culture in which circumcision is not practiced.

Q: Are women whose male partners have cancer of the penis at increased risk of developing cervical cancer?
A: The incidence of cervical cancer is increased 3x-8x in women whose sexual partner(s) had/has cancer of the penis.

Q: Which HPV strains are associated with cancer of the penis?
A: Cancer of the penis has been associated with the high risk 16/18 strains, the same strains associated with cancer of the cervix.

Q: Can a man give an HPV infection to their partner even when no growths can be identified on him?
A: Yes, a man may have no readily detectible growths but be a carrier of the HPV virus who can transmit the infection by asymptomatic shedding.