In this Article

• What has been the medical view of circumcision?
• What is the anatomy of the penis?
• What is a retractable foreskin?
• What is newborn circumcision?
• What is phimosis?
• What is paraphimosis?
• What is balanoposthitis?
• What is meatitis?
• Is it easier to care for the circumcised penis or uncircumcised penis?
• What is the relationship between circumcision and urinary tract infections?
• What is the relationship between circumcision and sexually-transmitted diseases?
• What is the correlation between sexually-transmitted diseases and cancer of the cervix?
• What is the relationship between circumcision and cancer of the penis?
• Circumcision: Medical Pros and Cons At A Glance
• Circumcision The Medical Pros and Cons Index

What is the relationship between circumcision and cancer of the penis?

The predicted lifetime risk of cancer of the penis in an uncircumcised man is one in 600 in the U.S. Cancer of the penis carries a mortality rate as high as 25%. This cancer occurs almost exclusively in uncircumcised men. In five major research studies, no man who had been circumcised as a newborn developed cancer of the penis. Human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which are sexually transmitted, are involved in cancer of the penis.

Circumcision: Medical Pros and Cons At A Glance

• Inability to retract the foreskin fully at birth is not a medical reason for a circumcision.
• Circumcision prevents phimosis (the inability to retract the foreskin at an age when it should normally be retractable), paraphimosis (the painful inability to return the foreskin to its original location), and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the glans and foreskin).
• Circumcision increases the chance of meatitis (inflammation of the opening of the penis).
• Circumcision may result in a decreased incidence of urinary tract infections.
• Circumcision may result in a lower incidence of sexually-transmitted diseases and may reduce HIV transmission.
• Circumcision may lower the risk for cancer of the cervix in sexual partners.
• Circumcision may decrease the risk for cancer of the penis.
• There is no absolute medical indication for routine circumcision of the newborn.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Circumcision: The Surgical Procedure - Read about circumcision, a medical procedure that removes the foreskin of the penis. Circumcised males have a lower risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and penile cancer.
• Kidney Infection - Learn about kidney infection (pyelonephritis) causes such as sexual intercourse, pregnancy, kidney stones, catheters, and poor hygiene.
• Cervical Cancer - Get the facts on cervical cancer causes (HPV or human papilloma virus), symptoms, diagnosis (abnormal Pap smear), prognosis, treatment, research, stages and statistics.

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