Curve down below may increase men’s risk of cancer, research shows

 At first glance, it may appear more of an anatomical quirk than a harbinger of serious disease.

But men who struggle to “shoot straight” face a significantly increased risk of several cancers, scientists warn.

An American study involving

1.5 million men found stark links between stomach, skin and testicular cancers and Peyronie’s disease.

Also referred to as penile fibrosis, the condition presents as curvature and affects around 155,000 men in the UK. A review of patient data by Baylor College of Medicine in Houston found those with the condition face a 40 per cent higher risk of testicular cancer, 29 per cent for melanoma and 40 per cent for stomach cancer.

The researchers said men with Peyronie’s should be closely monitored for early stages of cancer. They conducted genetic analysis of a father and son with Peyronie’s and found they shared genes known to predispose people to urological cancers.

However, British experts have raised doubts over the practicability of wide-scale routine screening.

Emma Shields, from Cancer Research UK, said: “It’s not yet fully understood what causes Peyronie’s and it’s possible it shares some similar risk factors to cancer. Screening isn’t always beneficial and comes with harm, so it’s essential screening programmes are backed by robust evidence.”