The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a draft of new guidelines Tuesday that recommends male circumcision for HIV protection, sexually transmitted infections, and even cancer.
The newly proposed recommendation on male circumcisions - cutting the foreskin around the tip of the penis - comes at a time where the medical procedure is decreasing in America.
The national rate of circumcisions decreased from 10 percent to 58 percent from 1979 to 2010, reported Reuters.
The procedure of circumcision has been a controversial topic for years, as it goes against some religious and cultural beliefs. CDC is only recommending the procedure for this reason and pushing for more education on circumcisions instead, reported Reuters.
"These recommendations are based on an evaluation of available information on the health risks and benefits associated with high-quality, medically performed male circumcision and were developed to pertain to men and male newborns in the United States," the document said.
The draft recommendations, which were released yesterday, will undergo a 45-day public comment period and a formal external peer review. The feedback will be considered when finalizing the draft.
