The President of Brazil claims 1,000 men have their penises amputated every year in his country, due to a lack of water and soap.
Jair Bolsonaro, the country's new far-right leader, said the situation was 'ridiculous and sad' during a press conference in Brasilia.
The figure was confirmed by the Brazilian Urology Society, which added that men sometimes have to remove their genitals because of infections, cancer and HIV complications.
Mr Bolsonaro said: "In Brazil, we have 1,000 penis amputations a year due to a lack of water and soap.
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"We have to find a way to get out of the bottom of this hole."
He added that his Government must do more to make men realise the dangers of not washing properly.
The American Cancer Society thinks that good genital hygiene is perhaps the most important factor in preventing penile cancer in uncircumcised men.
Studies show that circumcised men are less likely to get the disease, which is thought to have links to the build-up of smegma on the penis.
Mr Bolsonaro's macho persona and populist politics helped bring him to power in last year's election.
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He has come under fire for a number of controversial comments he made as a candidate and leader.
The President, who was inaugurated in January, once said he would rather his son be dead than gay - and accused 'homosexual fundamentalists' of brainwashing children.
He also told a female colleague she was too ugly to rape and described the birth of his daughter as a 'moment of weakness'.
