Difference between revisions of "Open letter to the CDC"
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|Text=As an American physician, I am extremely disappointed in these recommendations. My most important job as a physician is to protect the health and well-being of my community. [[Circumcision]] is a [[Circumcision risks|dangerous]], detrimental procedure that must end in our country, just as it has been shunned by other medically-advanced countries. | |Text=As an American physician, I am extremely disappointed in these recommendations. My most important job as a physician is to protect the health and well-being of my community. [[Circumcision]] is a [[Circumcision risks|dangerous]], detrimental procedure that must end in our country, just as it has been shunned by other medically-advanced countries. | ||
| − | This statement considers the very modest [[Arguments pro circumcision|potential medical benefit]], while ignoring other important considerations. First of all, condoms and other safe sex practices will always be more effective and important than [[circumcision]] for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and our efforts should be focused accordingly. To give one a false sense of security that circumcision fully prevents [[Circumcision and HIV|STIs/HIV]] would be a true disservice. We must also carefully interpret data regarding the circumcision for the prevention of any STI, as many studies have failed to show this correlation (PubMedID: 23710368<ref>{{REFjournal | + | This statement considers the very modest [[Arguments pro circumcision|potential medical benefit]], while ignoring other important considerations. First of all, condoms and other safe sex practices will always be more effective and important than [[circumcision]] for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and our efforts should be focused accordingly. To give one a false sense of security that [[circumcision]] fully prevents [[Circumcision and HIV|STIs/HIV]] would be a true disservice. We must also carefully interpret data regarding the [[circumcision]] for the prevention of any STI, as many studies have failed to show this correlation (PubMedID: 23710368<ref>{{REFjournal |
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23710368/ | |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23710368/ | ||
|title=Sexually transmitted infections and male circumcision: a systematic review and meta-analysis | |title=Sexually transmitted infections and male circumcision: a systematic review and meta-analysis | ||
| Line 85: | Line 85: | ||
}}</ref>, 22320006<ref>{{BoyleGJ HillG 2011}}</ref>). | }}</ref>, 22320006<ref>{{BoyleGJ HillG 2011}}</ref>). | ||
| − | [[Circumcision]] is undeniably [[pain]]ful, to the degree that it appears to influence pain perception in the long-term (PMID: 15495086<ref>{{REFjournal | + | [[Circumcision]] is undeniably [[pain]]ful, to the degree that it appears to influence [[pain]] perception in the long-term (PMID: 15495086<ref>{{REFjournal |
|title=Pain relief for neonatal circumcision | |title=Pain relief for neonatal circumcision | ||
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15495086/ | |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15495086/ | ||
| Line 101: | Line 101: | ||
|DOI=10.1002/14651858.CD004217.pub2 | |DOI=10.1002/14651858.CD004217.pub2 | ||
|accessdate=2021-09-26 | |accessdate=2021-09-26 | ||
| − | }}</ref>, 9057731<ref>{{TaddioA KatzJ IlersichAL KorenG 1997}}</ref>). [[Complication]]s from circumcision range from mild to fatal. I personally have seen several boys have problems with major [[bleeding]] after circumcision, and know of others that have had problems with infection, scarring, and additional damage to the penis. Other complications such as [[meatal stenosis]] are under-recognized (PMID: 20851685<ref>{{REFjournal | + | }}</ref>, 9057731<ref>{{TaddioA KatzJ IlersichAL KorenG 1997}}</ref>). [[Complication]]s from [[circumcision]] range from mild to fatal. I personally have seen several boys have problems with major [[bleeding]] after circumcision, and know of others that have had problems with [[infection]], [[Circumcision scar| scarring]], and additional damage to the penis. Other complications such as [[meatal stenosis]] are under-recognized (PMID: 20851685<ref>{{REFjournal |
|journal=J Pediatr Urol | |journal=J Pediatr Urol | ||
|date=2011-10 | |date=2011-10 | ||
| Line 120: | Line 120: | ||
|DOI=10.1016/j.jpurol.2010.08.005 | |DOI=10.1016/j.jpurol.2010.08.005 | ||
|accessdate=2021-09-26 | |accessdate=2021-09-26 | ||
| − | }}</ref>). Circumcision also has [[Sexual effects of circumcision|long-term negative sexual effects]] on both male and female partners, which must be acknowledged (PMID: 21672947<ref>{{FrischM LindholmM GroenbaekM 2011}}</ref>, 10349418<ref>{{REFjournal | + | }}</ref>). [[Circumcision]] also has [[Sexual effects of circumcision|long-term negative sexual effects]] on both male and female partners, which must be acknowledged (PMID: 21672947<ref>{{FrischM LindholmM GroenbaekM 2011}}</ref>, 10349418<ref>{{REFjournal |
|journal=BJU Int | |journal=BJU Int | ||
|date=1999-01 | |date=1999-01 | ||
| Line 153: | Line 153: | ||
}}</ref>). These complications have important physical, emotional, and financial costs and should not be trivialized. Unfortunately, a comprehensive discussion of these [[Risks and complications|risks]] is not typically included during the [[informed consent]] process. | }}</ref>). These complications have important physical, emotional, and financial costs and should not be trivialized. Unfortunately, a comprehensive discussion of these [[Risks and complications|risks]] is not typically included during the [[informed consent]] process. | ||
| − | Finally, I am appalled that a reputable medical organization would condone the [[Routine Infant Circumcision|forced alteration of a child's genitals]], especially since girls have been appropriately been legally protected from this for many years now. Deciding how one's genitals appear and function is one of the most intimate decisions possible. I know literally hundreds of men who resent being circumcised, many of which are plagued by [[Psychological issues of male circumcision|chronic problems from their circumcision]]. The only person to choose circumcision or any other cosmetic procedure should be the owner of that body. Physicians have no business performing painful, unnecessary procedures on non-consenting patients. | + | Finally, I am appalled that a reputable medical organization would condone the [[Routine Infant Circumcision|forced alteration of a child's genitals]], especially since girls have been appropriately been legally protected from this for many years now. Deciding how one's genitals appear and function is one of the most intimate decisions possible. I know literally hundreds of men who resent being [[circumcised]], many of which are plagued by [[Psychological issues of male circumcision|chronic problems from their circumcision]]. The only person to choose [[circumcision]] or any other cosmetic procedure should be the owner of that body. Physicians have no business performing [[pain| painful]], unnecessary procedures on non-consenting patients. |
|Author=[[The Activist MD]] | |Author=[[The Activist MD]] | ||
|Source=Facebook | |Source=Facebook | ||
| Line 171: | Line 171: | ||
[[Category:Campaign]] | [[Category:Campaign]] | ||
| + | [[Circumcision debate]] | ||
[[Category:Physician]] | [[Category:Physician]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:USA]] | ||
Revision as of 21:12, 30 December 2023
On 17 January 2015, an anonymous physician who created the Facebook page The Activist MD, wrote an open letter to the CDC which reads:
Here's my letter to the CDC regarding their pro-circ stance. May they hear the voices of reason and realize that circumcision should in no way be considered appropriate preventive health care.
“ Open letter to the CDC
As an American physician, I am extremely disappointed in these recommendations. My most important job as a physician is to protect the health and well-being of my community. Circumcision is a dangerous, detrimental procedure that must end in our country, just as it has been shunned by other medically-advanced countries.This statement considers the very modest potential medical benefit, while ignoring other important considerations. First of all, condoms and other safe sex practices will always be more effective and important than circumcision for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and our efforts should be focused accordingly. To give one a false sense of security that circumcision fully prevents STIs/HIV would be a true disservice. We must also carefully interpret data regarding the circumcision for the prevention of any STI, as many studies have failed to show this correlation (PubMedID: 23710368[1], 18280846[2], 18043319[3], 22320006[4]).
Circumcision is undeniably painful, to the degree that it appears to influence pain perception in the long-term (PMID: 15495086[5], 9057731[6]). Complications from circumcision range from mild to fatal. I personally have seen several boys have problems with major bleeding after circumcision, and know of others that have had problems with infection, scarring, and additional damage to the penis. Other complications such as meatal stenosis are under-recognized (PMID: 20851685[7]). Circumcision also has long-term negative sexual effects on both male and female partners, which must be acknowledged (PMID: 21672947[8], 10349418[9], 14581975[10]). These complications have important physical, emotional, and financial costs and should not be trivialized. Unfortunately, a comprehensive discussion of these risks is not typically included during the informed consent process.
Finally, I am appalled that a reputable medical organization would condone the forced alteration of a child's genitals, especially since girls have been appropriately been legally protected from this for many years now. Deciding how one's genitals appear and function is one of the most intimate decisions possible. I know literally hundreds of men who resent being circumcised, many of which are plagued by chronic problems from their circumcision. The only person to choose circumcision or any other cosmetic procedure should be the owner of that body. Physicians have no business performing painful, unnecessary procedures on non-consenting patients.
– The Activist MD (Facebook)[11]See also
References
- ↑
Van Howe RS. Sexually transmitted infections and male circumcision: a systematic review and meta-analysis. ISRN Urol. 16 April 2013; PMID. PMC. DOI. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑
. Thompson Reuter. December 2011; 19(2): 316-34. PMID. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑
(17 January 2015).
Open letter to the CDC: Letter to the CDC. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
