Why circumcision is a biomedical imperative for the 21^stcentury

Abstract

Circumcision of males represents a surgical “vaccine“ against a wide variety of infections, adverse medical conditions and potentially fatal diseases over their lifetime, and also protects their sexual partners. In experienced hands, this common, inexpensive procedure is very safe, can be pain‐free and can be performed at any age. The benefits vastly outweigh risks. The enormous public health benefits include protection from urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted HIV, HPV, syphilis and chancroid, penile and prostate cancer, phimosis, thrush, and inflammatory dermatoses. In women circumcision of the male partner provides substantial protection from cervical cancer and chlamydia. Circumcision has socio‐sexual benefits and reduces sexual problems with age. It has no adverse effect on penile sensitivity, function, or sensation during sexual arousal. Most women prefer the circumcised penis for appearance, hygiene and sex. Given the convincing epidemiological evidence and biological support, routine circumcision should be highly recommended by all health professionals. BioEssays 29:1147–1158, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Are Physicians Blameworthy for Iatrogenic Harm Resulting from Unnecessary Genital Surgeries?

“…Secular parents may choose to circumcise their sons because they believe that it is a medically sound decision. Some studies conclude that removing the foreskin protects boys from urinary tract infections as children and then later from penile cancer or even HIV as adults [19]. The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) has vacillated in its support of circumcision over the years.…”

Renin, Genes, and Beyond

“…I later developed a quite different interest in human immunodeficiency virus, subsequent to inventing and patenting in 1987 the first polymerase chain reaction-based diagnostic test for detection of human papillomavirus types that cause cervical cancer. 36 -40 Because both of these sexually transmitted viruses and other infections in women, as well as in men, are prevented by male circumcision, I was drawn into the male circumcision field over the years and have become an authority on the extensive medical benefits of this simple surgical procedure, [41][42][43] authoring the most extensive academic literature review of male circumcision (http://www.circinfo.net).…”

Fimosis y Circuncisión

“…El VIH (virus de inmuno defi ciencia humana) se contrae, en el caso del hombre, durante el acto sexual por la penetración del virus a través de la mucosa prepucial. Los factores que favorecen esta infección son una alta concentración de células blanco para VIH y una capa de queratinización muy delgada de la mucosa, lo que la hace muy susceptible a presentar lesiones traumáticas 8 . Estudios randomizados controlados hechos en países africanos han demostrado que la circuncisión ha disminuido en un 58-60% el riesgo de contraer la enfermedad y que es ésta la estrategia que tiene la mejor relación costo benefi cio 9 .…”