A Gay Man's Guide to Prostate Cancer

Discover the facts about—and personal stories of—gay men diagnosed with prostate cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, one man in six will develop prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in men. A Gay Man's Guide to Prostate Cancer explores the medical facts and psychological aspects of being diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer as well as the personal experiences of gay men from various walks of life. This insightful examination from the perspective of being gay in a predominantly heterosexual medical world emphasizes the unique concerns gay men have when confronted with this life-altering disease.

Many of the contributors are or have been involved with Malecare, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that provides prostate cancer support for gay men and their families. For more information, visit Malecare, Inc.: prostate cancer support for gay men and their families. (http://www.Malecare.com/).

The status quo of the medical world is heterosexually assumptive. A Gay Man’s Guide to Prostate Cancer shifts the perspective to gay men’s needs, challenges, and experiences when faced with this critical health risk. The book is divided into a professional section that covers the medical and psychological aspects affecting gay men, and an experiential section in which gay men of varying ages, ethnicities, races, and HIV status describe their own very personal feelings and experiences regarding their diagnosis, treatment, and side-effects. A helpful glossary provided for the layperson explains the meanings of medical words and phrases.

A Gay Man’s Guide to Prostate Cancer discusses:

• the basics of prostate cancer, with an overview of causes, diagnosis, screening guidelines, and treatments
  
• the history of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment and some unique concerns that gay men face when consulting a urologist and making treatment decisions
  
• the practical questions regarding gay sex after treatment, with a matter-of-fact primer pertaining to what may happen during and what to do after treatment
  
• the depression and anxiety that gay men will likely experience, with a look at the stigmatization and alienation that may occur in the heterosexually biased world
  
• the dynamics and concerns of diagnosed gay men within the context of a self-help group, with topics that include gay identities, sexual behaviors and attitudes, feelings of helplessness, and HIV/AIDS considerations
  
• how the surgical removal of one patient’s prostate gland affected him emotionally—and physically
  
• how a patient’s diagnosis challenged his sexuality and moved him to work at alerting other men of color to their increased risk of developing prostate cancer
  
• a patient’s sexual dysfunction following radical surgery—and why he formed a gay men’s prostate cancer support group
  
• how prostate cancer devastated one patient’s sense of self and body image; and his experience of being unacceptable in a gay community that he views as consumed with youth and beauty
  
• older gay men’s thoughts when confronting prostate cancer—and how sex has evolved for them
  
• the impact of cancer on couples’ relationships and the importance of being proactive about treatment
  
• a 33-year-old man’s struggle with prostate cancer—how it changed him and how it affected his relationship of 12 years

A Gay Man’s Guide to Prostate Cancer fills the gap in the literature about gay men challenged with prostate cancer, making it vital reading for physicians, psychotherapists, gay men faced with positive diagnosis, and of course, friends and loved ones. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to support the nonprofit men's cancer support organization, MaleCare, Inc. Visit the MaleCare Web site at http://www.malecare.com/

Gerald Perlman is a Psychologist/Psychotherapist in private practice in New York. Jack Drescher is Training and Supervising Analyst, William Alanson White Institute, New York.