Navi Mumbai: With male-specific cancers such as prostate, testicular, and penile cancers rising rapidly across India, Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) has officially launched MenCan, a national awareness and support initiative, during April — Testicular Cancer Awareness Month.
The campaign seeks to empower men with information, encourage early detection, and offer vital support to those affected by these serious health conditions. According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) the incidence of prostate cancer is on the rise with 12.6 cases per lakh people.
Bolstering the initiative's reach and visibility, popular Indian singer Shaan has joined as the brand ambassador, helping spread the message of male health awareness to a wider audience. While sharing speaking to the media, Shaan told about his cancer scare that he faced in 2020.
Singer Shaan Joins Tata Memorial’s 'MenCan' Campaign to Raise Awareness on Male Cancers | File Photo
“The doctors almost told me that it could be prostrate cancer but turned out to be a false alarm. Since then I have been very regular on my checks. When I shared this with my friends, they found it to be funny and that’s when I realised that we need to spread more awareness and people need to understand that there is a rising situation.”
He further said, “Cancer still is a scary word attached with stigma. But men need to understand that if he is not at his best health, it is going to affect the family and we need to be more responsible towards our health.”
According to 2022 data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO), India is projected to see 41,736 new cases of prostate cancer, 4,640 cases of testicular cancer, and 11,264 cases of penile cancer by 2025. India currently has the highest global incidence of penile cancer, and prostate cancer in particular is often detected at advanced stages due to low awareness and delayed diagnosis.
“MenCan is more than just an initiative; it’s a beacon of hope for men facing these challenges. We urge everyone to join us in this fight by spreading awareness, supporting our efforts, and contributing to this cause,” said Dr. Gagan Prakash, Professor of Surgical Oncology at TMC.
TMC has witnessed this trend firsthand. The number of prostate cancer cases increased from 700 in 2021 to 900 in 2023. Each year, the hospital also treats approximately 150 cases of penile cancer and 250 cases of testicular cancer.
“MenCan is an important step in tackling the rising incidence of cancer in men. We aim to educate men on early warning signs, encourage routine screenings, and ensure that more cancers are diagnosed at a treatable stage,” said Dr. Amit Joshi, Professor of Medical Oncology at TMC.
“Prostrate cancer is seen mostly in men above 60 years. It is predicted that by 2050, 17% of population would be above 60 years and hence the number of people at the risk of prostrate cancer will increase by then. Prostrate cancer is the most common cancer among the men above 60. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is one of the most common symptoms of Prostrate cancer. Unable to control urine, finding blood in urine are all part of the symptoms,” Dr Gagan Prakash said.
Speaking on Penile cancer, the doctors informed that, globally India is number one in the world for Penile cancer with around 12,000 cases. “The main cause of Penile cancer is cleanliness. The men who undergo circumcision are less prone to penile cancer. It is the quickest to identify and if detected early, this type of cancer has a good survival rate,” Dr Amit Joshi, Professor – Medical Oncology, said.
Testicular cancer on other hand is found is males between the age group of 15 to 45. “It is the most common yet the most ignored type of cancer. The enlargement of the testicle is often confused with growing body part and hence most ignored because of which only 10% of patients are found during the first stage of the cancer. An ultrasound can determine the cancer in this case. This is also the most curable type of cancer,” Dr. Santosh Menon, Professor – Pathology, said.
MenCan conducts awareness and educational campaigns to help normalize public discussion around men’s health, encouraging people to engage in open conversations about male cancers. The initiative also focuses on prevention and early detection through the organization of health camps and educational outreach to promote proactive health behavior.
Beyond awareness, MenCan offers comprehensive support to patients, including emotional, psychological, and financial assistance. In the last six months alone, the initiative has distributed significant funding to support men undergoing treatment.
As part of its long-term care model, MenCan runs a dedicated Survivorship Clinic at TMC that helps cancer survivors recover and rebuild their quality of life. In addition, MenCan supports cutting-edge research designed to improve treatment outcomes and guide evidence-based cancer care.
To further connect with patients and their families, MenCan has launched several key support services. These include survivorship meetings for patients recovering from penile and testicular cancers and the creation of MenCan Care, a virtual support group offering emotional and informational support to both patients and caregivers.
The initiative has also launched the Men’s Cancer Confidential Helpline (8451009760) to provide real-time guidance and counseling.
To assist patients navigating Tata Memorial’s sprawling ACTREC campus, MenCan has developed India’s first cancer campus navigation mobile app. Additionally, the initiative is building a strong social media presence to expand public awareness and intends to extend MenCan’s reach to all Tata Memorial Centres nationwide.
