Circumcision and penile cancer?

[Lula's Mom]

Hi, I was wondering if y'all could do me a favor. My MIL was told to circumcise her 3 sons back in the 70s because if she didn't, they would get penile cancer. And if you can believe it, that myth is still around!

I'd love for everyone to post their best evidence to the contrary (arguments about human rights always welcome, too!) :

[Benji'sMom]

http://www.cirp.org/library/statemen...s/1996-02_ACS/
And there's some discussion of it in the currect AAP policy statement http://aappolicy.aappublications.org...cs%3b103/3/686

[Lula's Mom]

Beautiful, thank you. I have this: http://www.circumstitions.com/Cancer.html

From the American Cancer Society:

Circumcision is the removal of a part or all of the foreskin at birth or later on in life. This practice has been suggested as conferring some protection against cancer of the penis by contributing to improved hygiene. However, the penile cancer risk is low in some uncircumcised populations, and the practice of circumcision is strongly associated with socio-ethnic factors which in turn are associated with lessened risk. The consensus among studies that have taken these other factors into account is that circumcision is not of value in preventing cancer of the penis. It is important that the issue of circumcision not distract the public's attention from avoiding known penile cancer risk factors -- having unprotected sexual relations with multiple partners (increasing the likelihood of human papillomavirus infection) and cigarette smoking.

[SammyJr]

From the American Cancer Society:

Penile cancer: 1530 cases diagnoised in America in 2006, 280 deaths.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/co....asp?sitearea=
Male Breast Cancer: 2030 cases diagnosed in America in 2006, 450 deaths.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/co...8.asp?rnav=cri

Penile cancer is twice as rare as male breast cancer, yet there's no call for removal of male breast tissue at birth.

Risk factors for penile cancer: Cleanliness, HPV, Smoking, Age>65, and AIDs.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/co...5.asp?rnav=cri

They list "not being circumcised" as a risk, but the section really doesn't add any new information. The "Cleanliness, Phimosis, and Smegma" section and "HPV" sections cover it. Phimosis can make it harder for a man to wash and cleanliness is a factor in penile cancer. So, treat the phimosis conservatively with stretching and steroid cream, not circumcision.

This study from Denmark shows that this intact population has essentially the same penile cancer rate as the United States:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/311/7018/1471

In summary, penile cancer is a very rare cancer. If you are seriously concerned about it, advise your son to wash regularly, avoid STDs and HIV through safe sex practices, and don't smoke. Consider the HPV vaccine when it is available for males. Circumcision will really make no difference.

[Papai]

Great info, hopefully it gets to the right people! :

[Leiahs]

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/co..._cancer_35.asp

Each of the tissues in the penis contains several types of cells. Different types of penile cancer (cancer of the penis) can develop in each kind of cell. The differences are important because they determine the seriousness of the cancer and the type of treatment needed.

Epidermoid carcinoma: Penile cancer develops in the skin of the penis. About 95% of penile cancers develop from flat skin cells called squamous cells. Penile tumors tend to grow slowly. If they are found at an early stage, these tumors can usually be cured. Squamous cell penile cancers can develop anywhere on the penis but most develop on the foreskin (in men who have not been circumcised) or on the glans.

http://www.cirp.org/library/statemen...ommentary.html

Penile cancer is extremely rare in the United States and accounts
for less than one half a percent of cancers diagnosed among men
and less than one tenth of a percent of cancer deaths among men.
.....
However, the penile cancer risk is low in some uncircumcised
populations, and the practice of circumcision is strongly associated
with socio-ethnic factors, which in turn are associated with lessened
risk. The consensus among studies that have taken these other
factors into account is circumcision is not of value in preventing
cancer of the penis.

Proven penile cancer risk factors include having unprotected sexual
relations with multiple partners (increasing the likelihood of
human papillomavirus infection), and cigarette smoking.

[Nathan1097]

I have a page on circumcision and cancer on my site. It's under "the issues" in the blue menu bar. (link in my sig)

[Genesis]

Originally Posted by Papai

Great info, hopefully it gets to the right people! :

[mamasophy]

[QUOTE=SammyJr;8977226]From the American Cancer Society:

Penile cancer: 1530 cases diagnoised in America in 2006, 280 deaths.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/co....asp?sitearea=
Male Breast Cancer: 2030 cases diagnosed in America in 2006, 450 deaths.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/co...8.asp?rnav=cri

Penile cancer is twice as rare as male breast cancer, yet there's no call for removal of male breast tissue at birth.

I don't have the stats, but they're on the same site: vulvar cancer is also more common than penile cancer.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by mamasophy

I don't have the stats, but they're on the same site: vulvar cancer is also more common than penile cancer.

Well then, I guess we'd better get cutting, huh?

-Angela

[SammyJr]

Originally Posted by mamasophy;8977579I don't have the stats, but they're on the same site: [B

vulvar cancer [/B]is also more common than penile cancer.

Good to know. Statistics like these help put things in perspective.

The ACS predicts that in 2007, 3490 cases of vulvar cancer will be reported and 880 women will die from it.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/co....asp?sitearea=

[Treece]

Originally Posted by alegna

Well then, I guess we'd better get cutting, huh?

-Angela

We can't cut GIRLS!! That's a HUMAN RIGHTS violation!!! How dare you even suggest such a thing!!!

[jennybean0722]

Wouldn't penile cancer be rampant in Europe if that was the case??? That is what I told my folks and they didn't have a comeback for that one.