Circumcision on 'What's good for you' TONIGHT

[Mamaduke]

On Channel 9 tonight (Monday November 13) @ 7.30pm "What's good for you" tackles the question, 'is circumcision best for your baby?'
Thought it may interest some of you.

[A Party of Five]

:wave: Thanks Mamaduke, we both watched it. Going to check out the website for some more information.

[xkwzit]

What did it say? Did it have an opinion?

Cheers

[Mamaduke]

I didn't get to see it - the boys were still up and we were (as always) watching Nick Jr!!
I was talking to my friend today and she said the conclusion was that there was no medical evidence to suggest that circumcision is necessary in today's world.
I'll try and post a link to the website...

[RedPanda]

I watched it. They showed a circumcision being performed on a two and a half year old. MD, you're friend is right - they really just said it's for religious purposes. The story said that fewer than one in ten boys is being circumcised these days, and that it is more important for boys to look like their peers rather than their father.
They interviewed a doctor who performs circumcisions, and he pretty much said he'll only do it for religious reasons. He does not take on jobs for cosmetic or "to look like daddy" reasons. It was sort of interesting, but not the big exposee the ads led me to think it would be.

[Mamaduke]

Found it...
http://health.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=161521

[xkwzit]

Thanks MD and Hazel

[AimeeB]

:wave: We watched it and yeah it said that if your child is circumcised he would pretty much be the odd one out.(this is phrase Michael Slater actually used)!It was great cos DH watched it with me and he was like"OMG i can't believe my mother did that to me!"He was always oh well some people like to get it done and now he can see why it's not necessary.

[Barry]

usually the "done" thing back then as they didnt have the technology or research we do now.

All that technology and research essentially supports what was "done" back then, as it's shown whether a child is circumcised or not is inconsequential.

[Barry]

If you don't want to discuss things then I'd suggest posting in a discussion forum is the wrong thing to do.

I was merely posting the facts.

[Barry]

Where are your "facts" coming from Barry?
Are you a doctor or child/adolescent mental health expert? Just curious as to why you have come up with that opinion?

My "facts" are coming from journals/booked/reviews approved by the Paediatrics & Child Health Division of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Australasian Association of Paediatric Surgeons, New Zealand Society of Paediatric Surgeons, Urological Society of Australasia, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and also the Paediatric Society of New Zealand; which they have used for their positioning review on the issue of circumcision which has seen them condone and object to the practice, to taking a neutral position in light of the proven scientific benefits of circumcision and the reduced risks of modern circumcision.

I can give you a longer list of all the material I've read on the subject if you wish but the crucial ones to your question which prove my prior statements are:

1. Gollaher DL. Circumcision: a history of the world’s most controversial surgery. Basic Books, New York, 2000

2. Denniston GC, Hodges FM, Milos MF, Eds. Male and female circumcision: medical, legal and ethical considerations in pediatric practice. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, 1999

3. Lerman SE, Liao JC. Neonatal circumcision. Pediatr Clin North Am 2001; 48: 1539-57

4. Canadian Paediatric Society, Fetus and Newborn Committee. Neonatal circumcision revisited. Can Med Assoc 1996; 154: 769-80.

5. American Academy of Pediatrics: Task Force on Circumcision. Pediatrics 1999; 103: 686-93

6. Maiche AG: Eur J Cancer Prev. 1992 Feb; 1 (2) 153-158. Epidemiological aspects of cancer of the penis in Finland.

In closing the above isn't my opinion it's just the facts. It's established scientific fact that there are proven benefits to circumcision and whilst there are benefits it is a parents choice as to if they wish to undertake surgery for their child.

There's also been a few long term studies done on the so called psychological problems relating to circumcision if you're interested in that; there's been some rather startling findings, well in my eyes anyway.

[WeThree]

Please keep it nice everyone, remember you are all supposed to be disussing the show, if you are someone who has had your child circumcised and have taken offense to the conclusions drawn in the show, maybe you should take it up with all the researchers and doctors they would have had on board, rather than having a go at people simply for discussing the outcome of the program.

[mum33]

well i'm just glad i didnt watch it coz cutting bits of boys willies off is just gross. :barf:

[Barry]

***quote of deleted post removed***

I actually copied it from the RACP paperwork infront of me that I just pulled out in regards to the ruckus about the review of the positioning statement.

I don't know why it's so hard for you to believe it's possible people have an interest in medicine when after all you are a medical student according to your sig. Thank you anyway for the electronic abstract it may be handy in future and I won't need to type out sections, it's a shame it doesn't include the extracts and additional references as well as review submissions though.

A quick read of that abstract will show however that those sources support what I stated and I therefore have stated just the facts.



Well look, i dont disagree that there can be some benefits to circumcision, but as a routine practice, it is unneccesary.

Exactly what I said, exactly what the RACP has said in it's positioning statement. Currently it should be done at the discretion of guardians not routinely as the child is born as a matter-of-course.



But people are entitled to their own opinions and i respect that.

Whilst some people may hold the opinion, it's an established fact, further supposed by the sources I quoted at your request.


But if they really feel the need to cut something off when there is no need, maybe they should wait and have their son choose to have it done if he so wishes? Whats wrong with that?
:reindeer:

As a Medical Student you should be aware if the procedure is done later, it is a different prodecure in terms of the techniques that can be used, it's a more costly procedure and in addition to those points there is also increase risk in adolescent & adult circumcision, not to mention that the majory of scientifically proven benefits to circumcision occur in the birth to 12 years age range, which you should also be aware of.


HAHA

I just asked my darling hubby if he'd mind if i attempted my first circumcision on him and he said, quote, "Hell NO".
He likes his foreskin, see?

Sure he hasn't need your shakey scapel hand? :laughing:


well i'm just glad i didnt watch

RPA is gross too, when they start hammering away on peoples knee and stuff *shudder*

[mum33]

RPA is gross too, when they start hammering away on peoples knee and stuff *shudder*

i know, thats why i cant watch it. makes me physically ill :barf:

[Mamaduke]

RPA is gross too, when they start hammering away on peoples knee and stuff *shudder*
But in all fairness Barry, they'll only start 'hammering away' in an attempt to cure/alleviate an already existing condition caused by an accident, illness &/or degenerative disease...c'mon now.

[Barry]

But in all fairness Barry, they'll only start 'hammering away' in an attempt to cure/alleviate an already existing condition caused by an accident, illness &/or degenerative disease...c'mon now.

Doesn't make the hammering away any better or less gross. I've recieved bone grafts, over 1,000 stitches and have an assortment of metal body parts but there is no way I've ever be prepared to watch my surgery videos.


Hmm, Barry, are you angry at someone for something???


No. I posted facts, you asked for references and I posted those references and you then seemed to have difficulty with the reputable sources I quoted and even tried to mock me for quoting them stating I must have just cut & pasted something I haven't even read.

It's just a discussion. You raised the point regarding mature circumcision and I replied with the facts on the matter.

There's really no point for me to continue as world-class sources don't even seem proof enough for you and you seem to have your own agenda on the matter regardless of what the facts and evidence show. I have no intention of becoming involved in a conversation on the topic outside of the established facts on the matter.
[/quote]

[Bron]

You've all been reminded to keep this thread and track, but it has detiorated into an unhelpful debate. I will close it now.

Thanks to those who contributed.