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Circumcision Reduces HIV Transmission
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| Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 | Kristen DiPaolo | CWK Network Producer |
“There are certain cells in the surface of the foreskin that might be target cells for the HIV virus to enter the body. The thinking is if you remove the foreskin, then those target cells are no longer there.”
– Susan Allen, M.D., professor of global health, Emory University
Symone Corbin had her 2-year-old son circumcised. "That’s always been kind of tradition with all the males in my family," she explains.
Recently, three large studies in Africa have found that circumcised men are 50 to 60 percent less likely to become infected with HIV.
"It’s great news," says Kathrin Stewart. "I’m glad to hear it. It just affirms the decision we made to have our son circumcised."
Why does circumcision affect HIV transmission? There are several theories.
"There are certain cells in the surface of the foreskin that might be target cells for the HIV virus to enter the body," says Dr. Susan Allen, professor of global health at Emory University. "The thinking is if you remove the foreskin, then those target cells are no longer there."
Or, she says, the reason could be much simpler. "It’s also the case that some men who have foreskin find it more difficult to use condoms," says Allen. "So it may also be behaviorally related."
Researchers believe this is the biggest news in HIV prevention in years. But, experts say, it doesn’t mean all boys need the circumcision surgery.
"If you don’t have sex with somebody who has HIV, you won’t get HIV," says Allen. "That really should be the focus of the prevention messages."
And, she says, parents need to remind boys that, circumcised or not, they’re still vulnerable to the disease.
"Men may hear, ‘Ah, if I get circumcised then I don’t have to worry about HIV,’ when what we are really saying is, ‘If you have been exposed to HIV and you have been circumcised, than you are a little bit less likely to get it,’" says Allen.
Even though 10-month-old Liam is circumcised, his mom knows he still could become infected.
"I will talk to him and caution him against feeling complacent," says his mom, Bineetha.
Researchers say a 50 percent reduction in HIV transmission could save countless lives – particularly in parts of the world where many men are not circumcised.
What We Need To Know
- The decision of whether or not to circumcise your son should not solely be based on information regarding HIV transmission. (Susan Allen, M.D., Emory University Professor of Global Health)
- The best way to protect your children from HIV is to talk to them about sex and precautions. (Susan Allen, M.D., Emory University Professor of Global Health)
- Males who are not circumcised are slightly more likely to have sexually transmitted genital ulcer disease and infant urinary tract infections. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Men who are not circumcised have a higher risk of penile cancer. Their female partners have a higher risk of cervical cancer. Some penile and cervical cancers are caused by certain strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. HPV transmission is more common among uncircumcised men. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Resources
- National Institutes for Health
- World Health Organization
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
