Circumcision May Reduce Prostate Cancer

Circumcision may slightly reduce the risk of prostate cancer, a new study suggests. The study included 1,754 men with prostate cancer. They were compared with 1,654 men who had not had prostate cancer but were similar in other ways. Researchers asked the men if they were circumcised and when this occurred. They also asked if the men ever had a sexually transmitted infection. The study adjusted results to account for other factors that can affect prostate cancer risk, such as race and family medical history. Researchers found a 15% lower risk of prostate cancer among men who were circumcised before they first had sex. Circumcision removes the foreskin from the tip of the penis. Researchers said they are not sure why the procedure might affect prostate cancer risk. Other research suggests that circumcision may reduce the risk of some sexually transmitted infections.