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On 17 January 2015, an anonymous physician who created the Facebook page [[The Activist MD]], wrote an open letter to the [[CDC]] which reads:
<blockquote>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.
{{Citation
|Title={{FULLPAGENAME}}
|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
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23710368/
|title=Sexually transmitted infections and male circumcision: a systematic review and meta-analysis
|last=Van Howe
|first=Robert
|init=R
|author-link=Robert Van Howe
|date=2013-04-16
|journal=ISRN Urol
|pubmedID=23710368
|pubmedCID=PMC3654279
|DOI=10.1155/2013/109846
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</ref>, 18280846<ref>{{REFjournal
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18280846/
|title=Circumcision and risk of sexually transmitted infections in a birth cohort
|journal=J Pediatr
|date=2008-03
|volume=152
|issue=3
|pages=383-7
|last=Dickson
|first=Nigel P.
|init=NP
|last2=van Roode
|first2=Thea
|init2=T
|last3=Herbison
|first3=Peter
|init3=P
|last4=Paul
|first4=Charlotte
|init4=C
|pubmedID=18280846
|DOI=10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.07.044
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</ref>, 18043319<ref>{{REFjournal
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18043319/
|title=Circumcision status and HIV infection among Black and Latino men who have sex with men in 3 US cities
|journal=J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr
|date=2007-12-15
|volume=46
|issue=5
|pages=643-50.
|last=Millett
|first=Gregorio A.
|init=GA
|last2=Ding
|first2=Helen
|init2=H
|last3=Lauby
|first3=Jennifer
|init3=J
|last4=Flores
|first4=Stephen
|init4=S
|last5=Stueve
|first5=Ann
|init5=A
|last6=Bingham
|first6=Trista
|init6=T
|last7=Carballo-Dieguez
|first7=Alex
|init7=A
|last8=Murrill
|first8=Chris
|init8=C
|last9=Liu
|first9=Kai-Lih
|init9=KH
|etal=yes
|others=Darrell Wheeler, Adrian Liau, Gary Marks
|pubmedID=18043319
|DOI=10.1097/QAI.0b013e31815b834d
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</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
|title=Pain relief for neonatal circumcision
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15495086/
|last=Brady-Fryer
|init=B
|last2=N Wiebe
|init2=N
|last3=Lander
|init3=JA
|journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev
|date=2004-10-18
|issue=4
|page=CD004217
|pubmedID=15495086
|DOI=10.1002/14651858.CD004217.pub2
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</ref>, 9057731<ref>{{REFjournal
|journal=Lancet
|date=1997-03-01
|volume=349
|issue=9052
|pages=599-603
|DOI=10.1016/S0140-6736(96)10316-0
|title=Effect of neonatal circumcision on pain response during subsequent routine vaccination
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9057731/
|last=Taddio
|init=A
|last2=Katz
|init2=J
|last3=Ilersich
|init3=AL
|last4=Koren
|init4=G
|pubmedID=9057731
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</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
|journal=J Pediatr Urol
|date=2011-10
|volume=7
|issue=5
|pages=526-8
|title=Incidence of asymptomatic meatal stenosis in children following neonatal circumcision
|last=Joudi
|first=Marjan
|init=M
|last2=Fathi
|first2=Mehdi
|init2=M
|last3=Hiradfar
|first3=Mehran
|init3=M
|pubmedID=20851685
|DOI=10.1016/j.jpurol.2010.08.005
|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
|journal=BJU Int
|date=1999-01
|volume=83 Suppl 1
|pages=79-84
|title=The effect of male circumcision on the sexual enjoyment of the female partner
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10349418/
|last=O'Hara
|init=K
|last2=O'Hara
|init2=J
|pubmedID=10349418
|DOI=10.1046/j.1464-410x.1999.0830s1079.x
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</ref>, 14581975<ref>{{REFjournal
|journal=N Z Med J
|date=2003-09-12
|volume=116
|issue=1181
|page=U595
|title=Effects of male circumcision on female arousal and orgasm
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14581975/
|last=Bensley
|first=Gillian A.
|init=GA
|last2=Boyle
|first2=Gregory J.
|init2=GJ
|author2-link=Gregory J. Boyle
|pubmedID=14581975
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</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.
|Author=[[The Activist MD]]
|Source=Facebook
|ref=<ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://www.facebook.com/theactivistmd/posts/785625651474211
|title={{FULLPAGENAME}}: Letter to the CDC
|date=2015-01-17
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</ref>
}}
{{SEEALSO}}
* [[CDC]]
* [[The Activist MD]]
{{REF}}
[[Category:Campaign]]
[[Category:Physician]]
<blockquote>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.
{{Citation
|Title={{FULLPAGENAME}}
|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
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23710368/
|title=Sexually transmitted infections and male circumcision: a systematic review and meta-analysis
|last=Van Howe
|first=Robert
|init=R
|author-link=Robert Van Howe
|date=2013-04-16
|journal=ISRN Urol
|pubmedID=23710368
|pubmedCID=PMC3654279
|DOI=10.1155/2013/109846
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</ref>, 18280846<ref>{{REFjournal
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18280846/
|title=Circumcision and risk of sexually transmitted infections in a birth cohort
|journal=J Pediatr
|date=2008-03
|volume=152
|issue=3
|pages=383-7
|last=Dickson
|first=Nigel P.
|init=NP
|last2=van Roode
|first2=Thea
|init2=T
|last3=Herbison
|first3=Peter
|init3=P
|last4=Paul
|first4=Charlotte
|init4=C
|pubmedID=18280846
|DOI=10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.07.044
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</ref>, 18043319<ref>{{REFjournal
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18043319/
|title=Circumcision status and HIV infection among Black and Latino men who have sex with men in 3 US cities
|journal=J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr
|date=2007-12-15
|volume=46
|issue=5
|pages=643-50.
|last=Millett
|first=Gregorio A.
|init=GA
|last2=Ding
|first2=Helen
|init2=H
|last3=Lauby
|first3=Jennifer
|init3=J
|last4=Flores
|first4=Stephen
|init4=S
|last5=Stueve
|first5=Ann
|init5=A
|last6=Bingham
|first6=Trista
|init6=T
|last7=Carballo-Dieguez
|first7=Alex
|init7=A
|last8=Murrill
|first8=Chris
|init8=C
|last9=Liu
|first9=Kai-Lih
|init9=KH
|etal=yes
|others=Darrell Wheeler, Adrian Liau, Gary Marks
|pubmedID=18043319
|DOI=10.1097/QAI.0b013e31815b834d
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</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
|title=Pain relief for neonatal circumcision
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15495086/
|last=Brady-Fryer
|init=B
|last2=N Wiebe
|init2=N
|last3=Lander
|init3=JA
|journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev
|date=2004-10-18
|issue=4
|page=CD004217
|pubmedID=15495086
|DOI=10.1002/14651858.CD004217.pub2
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</ref>, 9057731<ref>{{REFjournal
|journal=Lancet
|date=1997-03-01
|volume=349
|issue=9052
|pages=599-603
|DOI=10.1016/S0140-6736(96)10316-0
|title=Effect of neonatal circumcision on pain response during subsequent routine vaccination
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9057731/
|last=Taddio
|init=A
|last2=Katz
|init2=J
|last3=Ilersich
|init3=AL
|last4=Koren
|init4=G
|pubmedID=9057731
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</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
|journal=J Pediatr Urol
|date=2011-10
|volume=7
|issue=5
|pages=526-8
|title=Incidence of asymptomatic meatal stenosis in children following neonatal circumcision
|last=Joudi
|first=Marjan
|init=M
|last2=Fathi
|first2=Mehdi
|init2=M
|last3=Hiradfar
|first3=Mehran
|init3=M
|pubmedID=20851685
|DOI=10.1016/j.jpurol.2010.08.005
|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
|journal=BJU Int
|date=1999-01
|volume=83 Suppl 1
|pages=79-84
|title=The effect of male circumcision on the sexual enjoyment of the female partner
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10349418/
|last=O'Hara
|init=K
|last2=O'Hara
|init2=J
|pubmedID=10349418
|DOI=10.1046/j.1464-410x.1999.0830s1079.x
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</ref>, 14581975<ref>{{REFjournal
|journal=N Z Med J
|date=2003-09-12
|volume=116
|issue=1181
|page=U595
|title=Effects of male circumcision on female arousal and orgasm
|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14581975/
|last=Bensley
|first=Gillian A.
|init=GA
|last2=Boyle
|first2=Gregory J.
|init2=GJ
|author2-link=Gregory J. Boyle
|pubmedID=14581975
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</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.
|Author=[[The Activist MD]]
|Source=Facebook
|ref=<ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://www.facebook.com/theactivistmd/posts/785625651474211
|title={{FULLPAGENAME}}: Letter to the CDC
|date=2015-01-17
|accessdate=2021-09-26
}}</ref>
}}
{{SEEALSO}}
* [[CDC]]
* [[The Activist MD]]
{{REF}}
[[Category:Campaign]]
[[Category:Physician]]