Peyronie’s disease - a condition which causes the penis to become curved when erect - significantly increases the risk of cancer, said scientists from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. More than 1.5 million men are estimated to have the condition in the UK. It affects between five and 10 per cent of all men, according to estimates. Men with Peyronie’s disease should be monitored for the development of cancer, the researchers urged. Their study was the first to link the condition to an increased risk of cancer, they claimed.

GETTY Images Men with a bent penis could be at a higher risk of cancer

We think this is important because these conditions are largely taken for granted. Dr Alex Pastuszak

“Just taking this at face value, clinically this could be interesting because nobody has ever made these associations,” Dr Alex Pastuszak told a press briefing, ahead of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s annual meeting. “We think this is important because these conditions are largely taken for granted. “While they are significant in the sexual and reproductive lifecycle of these patients, linking them to these other disorders suggests that these men should be monitored for development of these disorders.” The study compared the risk of developing cancer in nearly 50,000 men that have Peyronie’s disease, with almost half a million men without the condition.

GETTY Images Peyronie's disease affects between five and 10 per cent of all men

Men with Peyronie’s disease were 43 per cent more likely to develop stomach cancer, the research claimed. They were also 39 per cent more likely to develop testicular cancer, and 10 per cent more likely to develop cancer in general. The study also analysed men with erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction patents were more prone to obesity, smoking, hypertension and diabetes, the scientists claimed.

GETTY Images Men with Peyronie's disease were 43 per cent more likely to develop stomach cancer, the study claime

13 facts you didn't know about the penis Wed, January 27, 2016 Interesting facts about the penis including average penis size, erections, sensitivity and sexual pleasure Play slideshow Reddit 1 of 13 The average penis measures 3-4 inches from tip to base