At first glance, it may appear more of an anatomical quirk than a harbinger of serious disease. But scientists have discovered that men who struggle to “shoot straight” face a significantly increased risk from several cancers.

Presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, a study involving more than 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 of the penis and affects around 155,000 male adults in the UK.

A review of patient data by Baylor College in the Houston found those with the condition are at a 40 per cent higher risk of testicular cancer, a 29 per cent higher risk of melanoma and a 40 percent increased likelihood of stomach cancer.