1. < Men's Health

Am I at risk for Penile Cancer since I never cleaned my penis?

Posted by mxnch1557 @mxnch1557, May 15, 2021

I'm almost 24 in two months and I know it's disgusting that I've never really washed down there. I've only found out that you're supposed to clean it when I was 18 but then I ended up ignoring it. I want to improve my physical health now but something very worrying is that I might have penile cancer since one of the main risk factors is poor hygiene. I believe I have Balanoposthitis or chronic inflammation on the penis due to the buildup of smegma so it hurts when I pull back.

I've been using anti fungal cream prescribed by my doctor. I'm uncircumcised and hispanic which are other risk factors for penile cancer. I feel like I messed up and I'm going to end up have penile cancer. I barely eat because of how worried I keep getting. I am now starting to clean my penis and pulling it back when peeing but I feel like it's too late. The thought of having your penis removed is a nightmare. I just wished I wasn't so dumb and cleaned it at a younger age.

I also tend to have a weak immune system since I don't really do anything and bad oral hygiene with gum disease which I am fixing. Right now I'm just trying to get my life back together but the first step is to improve my physical health. I'm just very scared

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mxnch1557 | @mxnch1557 | May 16, 2021

Hi there ive never had sex before so no. I’m just very worried about the possibility of penile cancer

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Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | May 16, 2021

Hi @mxnch1557 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am so sorry that you have to experience this. I completely understand not being brought up in a home where the adults tell you how to successfully care for yourself.

I see that you have navigated your way here. we can help with that, I think.

Have you looked up self care? Aslo, what makes you think you have penile cancer, have you googled symptoms?

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1 reply
mxnch1557 | @mxnch1557 | May 16, 2021
In reply to @amandaa "Hi @mxnch1557 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am so sorry that you have to..." + (show)
@amandaa

Hi @mxnch1557 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am so sorry that you have to experience this. I completely understand not being brought up in a home where the adults tell you how to successfully care for yourself.

I see that you have navigated your way here. we can help with that, I think.

Have you looked up self care? Aslo, what makes you think you have penile cancer, have you googled symptoms?

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Hi there. Thanks for being so nice about this. It means a lot. I have and several risk factors are being Hispanic (I’m assuming since there’s a higher rate of Hispanics of being uncircumcised) being uncircumcised which leads to chronic inflammation of the penis for not cleaning and poor personal hygiene.

My physical health overall is just not good as well. I know my immune system is pretty weak for neglecting my health. So all these risk factors just freaks me out especially because I’ve never really cleaned under the foreskin.

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1 reply
Amanda Roe | @amandajro | May 17, 2021
In reply to @mxnch1557 "Hi there. Thanks for being so nice about this. It means a lot. I have and..." + (show)
@mxnch1557

Hi there. Thanks for being so nice about this. It means a lot. I have and several risk factors are being Hispanic (I’m assuming since there’s a higher rate of Hispanics of being uncircumcised) being uncircumcised which leads to chronic inflammation of the penis for not cleaning and poor personal hygiene.

My physical health overall is just not good as well. I know my immune system is pretty weak for neglecting my health. So all these risk factors just freaks me out especially because I’ve never really cleaned under the foreskin.

Jump to this post

@mxnch1557 I can tell that you are worried about your overall health and possibly thinking there could be a link between that and your personal hygiene. As @amandaburnett mentioned, you should be able to google "self care for uncircumcised men" to help you get started with that aspect.

Next, are you able to get in for an appointment to review your overall health? Do you have any roadblocks to doing that?

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jenatsky | @jenatsky | May 18, 2021

You should be retracting your foreskin and cleaning around your penis daily or more as needed. I presume in your almost 24 years you've gotten an erection, which will anatomically retract the foreskin back exposing the head. I just cannot believe you've never wiped yourself there before? I realize the female commentators are trying to address the issue as delicately as possible from there perspective. As a male nurse I've had more experience. It is doubtful you'll get penile cancer from an unclean penis. Its doubtful you'll have many partners if you don't take care of yourself. Google it, check out YouTube, go the library. Many resources available at your finger tips. Good luck, stay clean.

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1 reply
mxnch1557 | @mxnch1557 | May 18, 2021
In reply to @jenatsky "You should be retracting your foreskin and cleaning around your penis daily or more as needed...." + (show)
@jenatsky

You should be retracting your foreskin and cleaning around your penis daily or more as needed. I presume in your almost 24 years you've gotten an erection, which will anatomically retract the foreskin back exposing the head. I just cannot believe you've never wiped yourself there before? I realize the female commentators are trying to address the issue as delicately as possible from there perspective. As a male nurse I've had more experience. It is doubtful you'll get penile cancer from an unclean penis. Its doubtful you'll have many partners if you don't take care of yourself. Google it, check out YouTube, go the library. Many resources available at your finger tips. Good luck, stay clean.

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Thank you for the response! So I did know at 18 but me being an idiot has always neglected my physical health. I never cared about it. I’m just trying to get back to life and improve my
Physical health. Will definitely keep improving! Again, thank you!

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jenatsky | @jenatsky | May 18, 2021

I wish you luck in getting in shape and getting your health back. I was able to do that only after retiring with the exception of my bad back. Stay healthy, join a free fitness group via Meetup or other local community site like The Patch, etc. working out with others provides support towards your goals.

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