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• Circumcision

Circumcision

Unpopular for more than 20 years, circumcision may come back into vogue as new research points to some irrefutable benefits

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Protects against HIV

Circumcised men have up to a 60% lower incidence of HIV. That’s because the foreskin has a relatively high number of target cells for HIV infection. It’s also more likely to tear during sex, providing an entry route for HIV. "Removing the foreskin removes the main site of HIV entry into the penis," says HIV researcher Professor Roger Short, from the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne. "Circumcision’s protective effect is proven beyond doubt."

Cuts rates of cervical cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer and surveys show that circumcised men are three times less likely to carry the virus. "Studies report a 58% reduction in cervical cancer risk among women whose partners were circumcised," says Dimitrios Trichopoulos, professor of cancer prevention at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Appearance

Research by Professor Marvel Williamson from the School of Nursing at Oklahoma City University found women prefer the look of a circumcised penis. "Generally women said it is more sexually appealing," says Williamson. "Ninety per cent of women said it looks sexier and 85% said it’s nicer to touch."

Fewer infections

Urinary tract infections are up to five times less common in boys who’ve been circumcised. However, the number of boys who will get a UTI is small. The Royal Australasian College of Physicians estimates that for every 1000 babies circumcised, eight infections will be prevented – but 20 will have a complication related to the circumcision.

Less prostate cancer

Circumcised men may have a lower risk of prostate cancer. "There is evidence that foreskin infections track up the urethra," says Professor Tim Oliver from the Institute of Cancer, Queen Mary University, London. Slow healing infections increase prostate cell division. "Each division allows a chance for DNA damage," says Oliver. "For some patients this ends in cancer."

Less penile cancer

Although it’s a rare cancer, circumcision almost eliminates the chance of invasive penile cancer (IPC). "Of 91 cases that we studied, only two men were circumcised," says Ed Schoen, professor emeritus of paediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. "IPC is essentially a disease limited to uncircumcised men."