A Cut Above: Circumcision as an Ancient Status Symbol

Kaicher, David C.; Swan, Kenneth G.

doi:10.1016/j.urology.2010.01.056

Cited by 14 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Rather than arising independently in diverse cultures globally [7], the practice more logically arose prior to the migration of Homo sapiens out of Africa [8]. If it had no survival advantage, it is unlikely that it would have persisted, and, as hypothesized by Cox & Morris, subsequent cessation of MC in some populations was perhaps a result of behavioral changes caused by environmental stressors or new religious philosophies such as Hinduism and Buddhism [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The awareness during Victorian times of a wide array of medical benefits from MC, including prevention of syphilis and better hygiene, led to a rise in its popularity in Anglo-Saxon populations in the 19 th century [7,9], continuing today in the USA in particular, where the majority of infant boys are circumcised [3,4]. In the UK circumcision is more common in the wealthier upper-classes, marking the fact that a doctor attended the birth rather than a mid-wife.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A 'snip' in time: what is the best age to circumcise?

Waskett²,

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Circumcision is a common procedure, but regional and societal attitudes differ on whether there is a need for a male to be circumcised and, if so, at what age. This is an important issue for many parents, but also pediatricians, other doctors, policy makers, public health authorities, medical bodies, and males themselves. Discussion We show here that infancy is an optimal time for clinical circumcision because an infant's low mobility facilitates the use of local anesthesia, sutures are not required, healing is quick, cosmetic outcome is usually excellent, costs are minimal, and complications are uncommon. The benefits of infant circumcision include prevention of urinary tract infections (a cause of renal scarring), reduction in risk of inflammatory foreskin conditions such as balanoposthitis, foreskin injuries, phimosis and paraphimosis. When the boy later becomes sexually active he has substantial protection against risk of HIV and other viral sexually transmitted infections such as genital herpes and oncogenic human papillomavirus, as well as penile cancer. The risk of cervical cancer in his female partner(s) is also reduced. Circumcision in adolescence or adulthood may evoke a fear of pain, penile damage or reduced sexual pleasure, even though unfounded. Time off work or school will be needed, cost is much greater, as are risks of complications, healing is slower, and stitches or tissue glue must be used. Summary Infant circumcision is safe, simple, convenient and cost-effective. The available evidence strongly supports infancy as the optimal time for circumcision.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 'snip' in time: what is the best age to circumcise?

Waskett²,

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…We realize that MC definitively disrupts the major mode of HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. We also realize that historical, cultural and political controversies surrounding MC [86,88] may provoke passionate debates. However, as Collins argues, it is imperative that values underpinning scientific thought form the centre of public policy interventions [17].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Male circumcision for HIV prevention: current evidence and implementation in sub‐Saharan Africa

Wamai

Morris

Bailis

et al. 2011

Journal of the International AIDS Society

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Heterosexual exposure accounts for most HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa, and this mode, as a proportion of new infections, is escalating globally. The scientific evidence accumulated over more than 20 years shows that among the strategies advocated during this period for HIV prevention, male circumcision is one of, if not, the most efficacious epidemiologically, as well as cost-wise. Despite this, and recommendation of the procedure by global policy makers, national implementation has been slow. Additionally, some are not convinced of the protective effect of male circumcision and there are also reports, unsupported by evidence, that non-sex-related drivers play a major role in HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we provide a critical evaluation of the state of the current evidence for male circumcision in reducing HIV infection in light of established transmission drivers, provide an update on programmes now in place in this region, and explain why policies based on established scientific evidence should be prioritized. We conclude that the evidence supports the need to accelerate the implementation of medical male circumcision programmes for HIV prevention in generalized heterosexual epidemics, as well as in countering the growing heterosexual transmission in countries where HIV prevalence is presently low.

show abstract

“…It became a mark of bs_bs_banner Circumcision related to UTI, STI and HIV distinction between those who were born in the USA and were clear, from those who were not, and were poor and unhygienic. 8 The understanding of anatomy and function of the prepuce started only in 1930s. The prepuce is an integral part of external genitalia, protecting the glans, urethral meatus, inner prepucial epithelium and primary erogenous tissue.…”

Section: Editorial Comment Editorial Comment To Circumcision Related mentioning

confidence: 99%

Editorial Comment to Circumcision related to urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, human immunodeficiency virus infections, and penile and cervical cancer

Shimada

2013

Int J of Urology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A Cut Above: Circumcision as an Ancient Status Symbol

Cited by 14 publications

References 4 publications

A 'snip' in time: what is the best age to circumcise?

A 'snip' in time: what is the best age to circumcise?

Male circumcision for HIV prevention: current evidence and implementation in sub‐Saharan Africa

Editorial Comment to Circumcision related to urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, human immunodeficiency virus infections, and penile and cervical cancer

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About