Latest news with #cancerawareness
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Top GP urges men to know the signs of penis cancer... as it becomes a bigger killer than testicular cancer
A leading GP has warned men to watch out for the silent signs of a deadly cancer that kills hundreds each year, overtaking testicular cancer deaths. Penile cancer is notoriously hard to spot because symptoms can easily be mistaken for less serious problems, which men are often too embarrassed to talk about. As a result, late diagnosis is becoming increasingly common, with many men ignoring early warning signs—which could result in amputation. Of men diagnosed with penile cancer early, more than 90 per cent go on to survive at least five years after diagnosis. However, the outlook for men with the most advanced cancer where it has spread to other parts of the body is bleak: no men in this group are expected to survive for five years after their diagnosis. B NHS GP Dr Mark Porter says men could help reduce their risk of a late-stage diagnosis by watching out for the little known signs of the deadly disease which may not only save their lives, but their penises too. According to Cancer Research UK, 63 per cent of penile cancer cases in the UK are preventable. Writing for The Times he said whilst cancer can develop anywhere on the penis, most penile cancers affect the foreskin or the head (glans) of the penis. Common early symptoms include discolouration—which is often red or bluish-brown—a persistent rash or sore that lasts longer than a month, and an obvious lump or growth either on the penis or surrounding groin area. Other red-flag warning signs include bleeding, abnormal discharge and phimosis—where it becomes difficult to retract the foreskin. However, he added these symptoms are not always a cause for serious concern and are usually the result of an infection like thrush or inflammatory conditions. It is also not uncommon for men to experience bleeding after trauma to the sensitive area which can tear the frenulum, the band of tissue that connects the foreskin to the head of the penis. This can happen after intercourse, he added. Even so, Dr Porter urged men not to dismiss any abnormal changes to the area, however slight, and to contact their GP if they are concerned. 'There is a good chance the result won't be as bad as you feared—but that doesn't mean it's okay to put off that appointment,' he said. Whilst penile cancer is rare and typically affects middle-aged men, it can develop much sooner, making early diagnosis crucial. 'The other major advantage of early diagnosis is that often it means treatment is less invasive,' the GP explained. According to the NHS, treatment for early cancer is usually non-surgical, including chemotherapy creams such as 5 fluorouracil and laser therapy through which suspicious lesions are 'burnt off'. However, if the cancer is found later, perhaps as a result of patients putting off seeking help, treatment is a lot more aggressive. This can include removing the top layer of skin from the head of the penis, cutting out lymph nodes—which help the body to fight off infection—and even amputation. A full amputation, known as a penectomy, also involves having to have a new outlet for the bladder made between the anus and scrotum. But, the NHS warns, any surgery is likely to affect how a patient's penis looks. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy can all also be used to help shrink tumours and reduce the risk of the cancer spreading further. Reconstructive surgery is an option for men who have had to have their penis removed, using skin and muscles from other parts of the body to make a fully functioning penis. Whilst any man can get penile cancer certain factors can increase an individual man's risk of developing the disease. According to the NHS around half of all penile cancers are caused by certain types of HPV which affect the genital area. The virus—medically known as human papillomavirus—can be spread via skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, vaginal, anal or oral sex and sharing sex toys. As such, according to Cancer Research UK, 63 per cent of penile cancer cases are preventable. Smoking also increases the risk of developing the disease and those who are immunocompromised due to conditions like HIV are also more likely to get penile cancer. Dr Porter added: 'Circumcision as a child or teenager offers protection against the disease as it reduced exposure to secretions known as smegma produced by the foreskin.' A six-year study was launched back in 2021 to ascertain how successful a new form of immunotherapy—called cemiplmab—is at treating penile cancer that has spread. The Epic study, led by Professor Amit Bahl a urology professor at the University of Bristol, is still ongoing but if initial findings can be upheld experts believe it could help prolong the lives of men with advanced penile cancer. Around one in 400 men in the UK are diagnosed with penile cancer each year, with the disease killing twice as many men as testicular cancer.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Atlanta United honors Children's Healthcare of Atlanta patients at match
Patients overcoming pediatric illnesses were honored during Atlanta United's Pediatric Illness Awareness match against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta United partnered with the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to honor the strength and resiliency of patients during the match. Barzi, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, which caused him to have his leg amputated, walked on stage to hit the golden spike. He also designed a special scarf for the match that highlighted special moments of his life. Alejandro, who lives with sickle cell anemia, served as Atlanta United's honorary captain. Colton, who was diagnosed with b-cell acute lymphatic leukemia two years ago, rang the honorary bell at halftime. For him, it was a special ceremony that marked the end of his cancer treatment. And Rowan, an avid Atlanta United fan who recently had his appendix removed at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital, was the in-stadium graphic designer. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Walton County family sues after home sold using forged deed PHOTOS: Best 25 public middle schools in Georgia Geo-fencing technology leads to arrest in 71-year-old grandmother's cold case murder [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Tynemouth teens tackle Snowdon, Scafell and Ben Nevis in friend's memory
Two teenagers are about to complete a mountain challenge in memory of their friend who died nine weeks Adams had planned to do the Three Peaks Challenge with his friends but died from an extremely rare cancer which affects only two in a million his diagnosis in December 2022, the 18-year-old from Tynemouth took on many adventures in the hope of carrying on as normally as young air cadet finished the 84-mile (134km) Hadrian's Wall path last August, took part in long-distance bike rides, sat his GCSEs and finished his A-level studies. But the neuroendocrine cancer paraganglioma spread through his abdomen and his health declined rapidly in the Easter school holidays."He was somebody who always had a sense of humour, he was always there for you if you needed and he was very popular and reliable," says Matthew's mother Jane Hall."We are very proud of him." Ms Hall says she still feels like "he might walk through the door still and he hasn't really gone away". "I talk to him in my head all the time, I tell him what I am doing."Her son's close friends, Andrew Fairhurst and Max Whitelaw, both 18 and also from Tynemouth, decided to continue with Matthew's plan for the Three Peaks Challenge and hike the highest mountains in England, Scotland and have already scaled the 3,560ft (1,085m) of Snowdon in Wales and the 3,210ft (978m) of Scafell in Cumbria. Now they are taking on the might of Ben Nevis, the highest of the three at 4,413ft (1,345m). Ms Hall has helped organise the fundraising efforts for the Teenage Cancer Trust and the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle."I am very proud of Andrew and Max taking on the Three Peaks," she says."It was something Matthew wanted to do. Right up until Easter he was still planning doing it."The hope is to raise awareness of paraganglioma, a rarity in someone of Matthew's age and with a genetic link. It presented as benign tumours in his abdomen - discovered when he went into hospital with a suspected burst appendix - but became untreatable once it began to spread. "It is quite unique not having him here with us," Andrew says."I am sure he would have loved it if he was and there would have been lots of laughing."Max says the whole plan was Matthew's idea."He was the one that came up with the massive trips and bike trips so it is a nice way to honour him."As they trek up the rocky paths, Andrew and Max are wearing special t-shirts bearing Matthew's picture."When they get to each peak, if they are wearing the t-shirts, there is a little bit of him there with them," Ms Hall says. On the friends' online fundraising page, Max says the death of a friend they have know since they were little "has left a massive hole in the lives of everyone who knew him".The teenagers have so far raised more than eight times their £1,000 target. Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
South China Morning Post
19-07-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong trio to tackle 300km row from Ibiza to Barcelona in cancer charity fundraiser
Three Hong Kong residents will attempt to row more than 300 kilometres from Ibiza to Barcelona next week, a journey they expect will leave them battling the Mediterranean Sea for five days. Members of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC), Alastair Kelly, Doug Irwin and Andi Buel, will take on the Noman Mediterranean Ocean Rowing Races, a challenge that aims to raise awareness and funds to combat HPV-related cancers. A prerequisite for the event, also known as Row to End HPV, is that teams raise funds for Noman, a charity combating HPV-related cancers, and the Hong Kong trio have already collected more than HK$80,000. 'It's a great cause and I think the actual nature of the campaign, vaccinating girls and boys against HPV, is going to serve the Hong Kong community and the wider global community,' 41-year-old Kelly said. HPV, Human Papillomavirus, is the causal agent of 5 per cent of cancers, and infection can be safeguarded against through vaccinations. Three Hong Kong residents will attempt to row more than 300 kilometres from Ibiza to Barcelona next week. Photo: Tomoaki Katsuba In June, the Hong Kong government began its third and final dose of free vaccinations for female residents born between 2004 and 2008 to combat cervical cancer, which claimed 167 lives in the city in 2022.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Teddi Mellencamp Reveals Shocking Truth Behind Doctors Missing Melanoma Spreading
has become an advocate for cancer awareness. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum has been open about her journey in the most honest way, sharing the difficult times and trying her best to say positive. Thankfully, Teddi is finally turning the corner on her battle. Her body responded positively to immunotherapy. The remaining tumors in her brain and lungs either disappeared or shrank. But with that good news, Teddi also reflected on whether doctors could have caught the cancer before it spread. Teddi Mellencamp's doctors missed her melanoma spreading Teddi gave an exclusive interview with Glamour on July 17 to update fans on her situation. She stressed the importance of advocating to doctors and being proactive. In her case, the routine checkups weren't enough to catch the cancer spread earlier on. 'When you go to a doctor, you just assume that's it. I'm doing what I'm supposed to do,' the RHOBH alum said. 'At first, I didn't even really do the research on melanoma because I didn't want to know all of the bad things. But there's a difference between self-diagnosing yourself and being an advocate for your own health.' Teddi continued, 'I never really thought about it because I was like, 'I go to a doctor every three months. Why wouldn't they get me checked?' My highest melanoma on my shoulder was stage one. When I finally followed up on it, they were like, 'We didn't do the scans, because you didn't have anything above a stage one on your body.' But look what happened.' Teddi has had 17 surgeries to remove melanoma spots since 2022. In February 2025, tumors were discovered on her brain and lungs, leading to radical change in strategy. The former Bravolebrity had chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment. Catch The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills streaming on Peacock and Hayu in the UK and Ireland. TELL US – WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO HER COMMENTS? The post Teddi Mellencamp Reveals Shocking Truth Behind Doctors Missing Melanoma Spreading appeared first on Reality Tea. Solve the daily Crossword
