Now the RCN's Men's Health Forum is working with the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal Society of Paediatrics and Child Health to set up guidelines for male circumcision. Forum secretary Glen Turp refers nurses who have a problem with cases of circumcision to Clause 8 of the UKCC Code of Conduct, which covers conscientious objection. Mohammed Mossadaq is project manager of Bradford Community Health's Race and Health Unit. He believes that the operation can be beneficial and cites research carried out in India in 1982-90 that found that male circumcision reduced the risk of cervical and penile cancers. Mr. Mossadaq says he is aware of the reported dangers of circumcision, but argues that offering the operation through the NHS makes it safer, especially as the procedure would carry on in the community regardless.
Circumcision is part of spiritual, emotional and psychological health.
The reason given was balanitis, or inflammation. Now in his thirties, he attributes many physical and psychological problems to the operation, which he claims was unnecessary. I had difficulty peeing. He was prescribed antibiotics and the problem cleared up. Mr. West remembers a GP saying circumcision would prevent it happening again, especially as his foreskin was non-retractable.