Gay men prostate cancer
Advice on safety of gay sex after prostate cancer
UK cancer doctors have drawn up guidance for gay men on how long they should abstain from sex before and after prostate cancer treatment.
It warns of potential risks to sexual partners from exposure to radiation after some treatments.
Most cancer doctors don't question patients about their sexual practices, which means they may not get any advice.
Prostate Cancer UK said the specific timeframes addressed an important issue for gay and bisexual men.
The guidance is based on the opinions of 15 clinical oncologists and 11 urological surgeons from the UK and is being presented at the UK Imaging and Oncology congress in Liverpool.
'Glossed over'
Sean Ralph, a therapeutic radiographer from Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, who researched the new guidance, said: "Men are normally advised to resume sexual activity soon after prostate cancer treatments in order to aid preserve their erectile function."
However, he said the conversation was often "glossed over" and many m
Navigating prostate cancer as a gay man: A journey of resilience, support, and empowerment
In December , I sat hand-in-hand with my husband, waiting to hear if I had prostate cancer. In the exam room together, we joked about how it had all been a big mistake. After all, I was a very healthy, fit year-old.
I don’t remember much after the surgeon came in and spoke the words out loud for the first time. I was overcome with fear, anger, and confusion. As I sat there, trying to process the bombshell of my prostate cancer diagnosis, a rollercoaster of emotions hit me. I had never imagined that at this stage of my life I would be confronted with such a daunting challenge.
Leaving the doctor’s office, my husband and I weighed the recommendations and made a clear decision to have my prostate removed. After preparing for the surgery, spending time with my family, and giving up control, I underwent a radical prostatectomy. The days following the procedure were physically and mentally challenging, struggling to move and battling with side effects. The lack of intimacy with my husband
According to a study presented at the American Urological Association’s (AUA) annual meeting in May, gay men treated for prostate cancer have a lower quality-of-life after treatment than the population of prostate cancer patients as a whole. The study, which is the first to measure the impact of prostate cancer on gay men, relied on previously published data from a general population of men treated for the disease as a aim of comparison.
Through an Internet-based survey, 92 gay men from the United States and Canada answered questions relating to urinary, bowel, and hormone symptoms. Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, they reported worse physical and mental health functioning, poorer sexual and ejaculatory function, and a greater anxiety that their cancer would return.
“This is one of the adj studies demonstrating that quality of life is more significantly impacted by prostate cancer in the gay population,” said Dr. Tomas Griebling, the AUA spokesman who moderated the press briefing.
Literature on this topic is limited; additional research may help determine why gay m
When it comes to prostate cancer, 'gay men are erased,' patients say
Prostate cancer is the most prevalent invasive cancer among men, affecting nearly one in eight at some point in their lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control. But the unique challenges facing gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer have largely gone unaddressed.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are less likely to earn regular prostate cancer screenings, and those who are diagnosed are less likely to have familial and social support, according to research cited by the National Institutes of Health. And if their health care provider is not culturally competent, gay and bisexual men are much less likely to understand how treatment will impact their quality of life.
"Those in large metropolitan areas may have the option of searching for an LGBT-welcoming provider, but most Americans don’t verb a choice about who treats them."
“Many LGBT people enter their cancer treatment wary,” Liz Margolies of the National LGBT Cancer Network told NBC News. “Those in large metropolitan areas ma