Penile cancer is a rare form of cancer found in men. This cancer affects the penis, which is the main male reproductive organ. Most penile cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which simply means cancer that starts in the flat cells lining the penis (WebMD, 2014). Before detailing this disease, we must first understand the structure of the penis. Notably rod-shaped, the penis is made up of two types of erectile tissue: the corpora cavernosa and the corpora songiosum. The first is two columns of tissue that form the majority of the penis, while the other is a single column that forms a small portion of the penis. The corpus spongiosum is particularly useful in protecting/surrounding the urethra (WebMD, 2014). When we think of cancer, the first thing that comes to mind is whether or not it will spread to other parts of the body. Penile cancer develops when malignant cells form in the tissues explained above. That being said, it's still unclear exactly what causes penile cancer. There are risk factors, however, including not being circumcised, being 60 years or older, phimosis (a condition in which the foreskin of the penis cannot be pulled back over the glans), poor hygiene, many sexual partners, and tobacco use (National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, 2013). You do not need to have a medical degree to perform a self-diagnosis. You know your body better than anyone and the best way to know if you have this condition is to know the symptoms. Obvious symptoms include a lump on the penis and/or a discolored penis. Other visible symptoms are redness, roughness, and small crusty bumps (American Cancer Society, 2014). Locating a bump in the middle of the paper......y bumps/lumps. The best way to alert yourself to this disease is to do body inspections, because you know your body better than anyone. All hope is not lost if you are diagnosed with this cancer. Regardless of cure/mortality rates, all cancer is dangerous and must be treated properly. Works Cited Penile Cancer Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Patient Information [NCI] - General information about penile cancer. (February 25, 2014). . Accessed May 6, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/ncicdr0000438960-general-information-about-penile-cancerAmerican Cancer Society. (February 6, 2014). Penile cancer. . Accessed May 7, 2014, from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/penilecancer/indexNational Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. (November 14, 2013). Penile cancer. . Accessed May 7, 2014 from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/penile