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ABSTRACT
The effect of prostate cancer treatment in gay and bisexual men is an under-researched area. In 2015, we conducted in-depth telephone interviews with 19 gay and bisexual men who had undergone radical prostatectomies. Across the respondents’ five emotional themes emerged: (1) shock at the diagnosis, (2) a reactive, self-reported “depression”, (3) sex-specific situational anxiety, (4) a sense of grief, and, (5) an enduring loss of sexual confidence. Identity challenges included loss of a sense of maleness and manhood, changes in strength of sexual orientation, role-in-sex identity, and immersion into sexual sub-cultures. Relationship challenges identified included disclosing the sexual effects of treatment to partners, loss of partners, and re-negotiation of sexual exclusivity. Most to all of these effects stem from sexual changes. To mitigate these negative effects of radical prostatectomy, and to address health disparities n outcomes observed in gay and bisexual men, all these challenges need to be considered in any tailored rehabilitation program for gay and bisexual men.
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
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Notes on contributors
B.R. Simon Rosser
Dr B. R. Simon Rosser is a psychologist, epidemiologist and clinical/research sexologist specializing in GBM's sexual health. His background in studying GBM sexual dysfunction, sex between men, physician-GBM patient communication, mental health, Internet methods, sex measure development, evaluation of sexual health interventions, human subjects and in leading NIH behavioral trials.
Beatrix Capistrant
Dr Beatrix Capistrant is an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota and a member of the Minnesota Population Center. Their research focuses on social determinants of aging and non-communicable diseases, both in the U.S. and in low and middle income countries. They are particularly interested in the interplay between family dynamics and health in old age. They completed their masters and doctoral training in social epidemiology at Harvard University and postdoctoral training in population aging at University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.
Beatriz Torres
Dr Beatriz Torres is an associate professor of Communication Studies and was awarded Mexico's National Council of Science and Technology and Fulbright scholarships. She consults and trains health care organizations on effective cross-cultural communication. Her scholarship looks at the intersection between culture and health communication. She is involved in several community based participatory action research projects developing entertainment education media to promote the health of Latino, Hmong and Somali immigrants in Minnesota.
Badrinath Konety
Dr Badrinath Konety is a prostate cancer specialist who leads the biomedical and oncological aspects of the study.
Enyinnaya Merengwa
Dr Enyinnaya Merengwa is a physician-scientist and a cancer health disparities epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota. He has earned a Medical Degree (MD), Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Epidemiology and currently enrolled in a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree program.
Darryl Mitteldorf
Mr Darryl Mitteldorf wrote some of the first clinical articles of GBM with PCa and founded Malecare, the largest organization serving GBM with PCa. A community-based collaborator, he will lead recruitment, attend meetings by Skype, and participate in the write up of results.
William West
Mr William West is an online communications specialist who will design the interactive, online curriculum for GBM with PCa. As an out GBM with PCa, he will also serve as our participants’ advocate.