ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 15, 1997 TAG: 9704150052
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: health notes
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY
The United States now has a law forbidding female circumcision, a common practice in some societies in other countries and brought to this one by immigrants. The surgical procedure used on females is more elaborate, and mutilating, than what's done when a male is circumcised. But male circumcision, which used to be routine, also has become more controversial.
A report in the April 1 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that male circumcision does little more than change the appearance of the penis.
Male circumcision, which is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis, is a practice of some religions, but it also became prominent throughout society until the early 1970s. From World War II until the procedure was questioned 25 years ago, about 80 percent of the newborn males in the United States were circumcised, according to a survey conducted by the University of Chicago.
The procedure was so routine that medical personnel didn't even discuss it with parents, and parents gave permission for the procedure without questioning it.
Based on findings from 1,284 U.S.-born men who took part in the National Health and Social Life Survey, the procedure is almost useless. University of Chicago researchers, who analyzed the data, concluded that circumcision has no protection benefit. Nor does it seem to do anything bad.
Circumcision doesn't increase the likelihood of contracting a sexually transmitted disease, but circumcised men have a slightly lower risk of having functional problems, especially later in life, and they seem to be more experimental in sexual practices.
Male circumcision became popular in the United States in the 1870s as a way to promote hygiene and limit untraditional sexual practices. It was thought that circumcised men masturbated less often than men who were left intact. The Chicago findings did not support that.
At one time, the practice was endorsed by medical groups, but in 1971 and 1975, the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Circumcision concluded that there were no valid medical reasons for circumcision and said the decision should be left up to parents, who should be fully informed about the procedure.
La Leche meet
A Charlotte, N.C., researcher, Philip Zeskind, will speak Friday at the Patrick Henry Hotel on the behavioral and physiological aspects of bottle-feeding or breast-feeding a baby.
Zeskind directs neurodevelopmental research at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. His is one of several talks planned at the two-day La Leche League of Virginia meeting.
Saturday's sessions will focus on parenting skills, family life, breastfeeding, health and nutrition. Tine Thevenin, author of "The Family Bed," will lead a session on her book.
Professionals can arrange continuing education credits for the sessions, which also are open to the public. For more information, call 540-982-1674.
Camp volunteers needed
The Muscular Dystrophy Association of Southwest Virginia needs young people, 17 and older, to work in a special MDA Summer Camp program June 15-20. Volunteers serve as companions to a child or teen-ager, helping the youngsters with swimming, canoeing, dancing and making arts and crafts. Some of the campers still are able to walk and run, but others are in wheelchairs.
Transportation and meals are provided for volunteers. The camp is held at the 4-H Center in Wakefield, Va. For more information, call 540-772-3237 or write to Muscular Dystrophy Association, 4502 Starkey Road, Suite 206, Roanoke, Va. 24014.
Transplant games
People who get organ transplants can lead real lives and the basketball team that will play Saturday in Roanoke proves it, says Tom Reed of Virginias' Organ Procurement Agency.
Transplant recipients will play against a team of doctors from Carilion Health System at noon at James Madison Middle School. The occasion is of course designed to promote awareness of organ and tissue donorship. But it's also an opportunity to see a doctor under pressure, says Reed.
You can reach Sandra Brown Kelly at 1-800-346-1234, x393, 981-3393 or at sandrak@roanoke.com
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