Gay and Bisexual Men Living with Prostate Cancer – From Diagnosis to Recovery

Jane M. Ussher is professor of psychology at the Translational Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University.Janette Perz is professor of psychology and director of the Translational Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University.B. R. Simon Rosser is professor and clinical/research sexologist specializing in gay men’s health in the Division of Epidemiology and Community Heath at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. He pioneered the study of sexual function and dysfunction in gay and bisexual men, and he led one of the first NIH-funded studies in this field.

The challenges for gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer have remained poorly described for years – until this book. Covering multiple aspects of the diagnostic, treatment, and recovery periods, the studies presented illuminate the unique challenges for this population. The stories of individual gay men in the final chapters are especially poignant and highlight where the traditional medical establishment can improve services to these men.

• Foreword, by Jonathan Bergman and Mark S. LitwinIntroduction, by Jane M. Ussher, Janette Perz, and B. R. Simon RosserSection 1: Gay and Bisexual Men’s Experiences of Prostate Cancer: What Does Research Tell Us?1. Understanding Prostate Cancer in Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women: A Review of the Literature, by B. R. Simon Rosser, Shanda L. Hunt, Benjamin D. Capistrant, Nidhi Kohli, Badrinath R. Konety, Darryl Mitteldorf, Michael W. Ross, Kristine M. Talley, and William West2. Threat to Gay Identity and Sexual Relationships: The Consequences of Prostate Cancer Treatment for Gay and Bisexual Men, by Jane M. Ussher, Janette Perz, Duncan Rose, Gary W. Dowsett, and David M. Latini3. Integrating Post-Prostatectomy Sexuality: The Couple’s Journey, by Daniela Wittmann4. “My partner is my family”: An Interdependence and Communal Coping Approach to Understanding Prostate Cancer in Same-Sex Male Couples, by Charles Kamen and Lynae Darbes5. Psychological Adjustment in Gay and Bisexual Men after Prostate Cancer, by Michael A. Hoyt and Brett M. Millar6. The Social Dimensions of Prostate Cancer in Gay Men’s Sexuality, by Gary W. Dowsett, Duane Duncan, Andrea Waling, Daniel R. du Plooy, and Garrett P. Prestage7. Gay Men and Prostate Cancer: Learning from the Voices of a Hidden Population, by Murray Drummond, James Smith, and Shaun FiliaultSection 2: Cancer Care and Support for Gay and Bisexual Men with Prostate Cancer8. Lack of Information and Unmet Needs: Gay and Bisexual Men’s Sexual Communication with Healthcare Professionals about Sex after Prostate Cancer, by Duncan Rose, Jane M. Ussher, and Janette Perz9. Prostate Cancer Treatment Decision-Making and Survivorship Considerations among Gay and Bisexual Men: Implications for Sexual Roles and Functioning, by Gwendolyn P. Quinn, Matthew B. Schabath, and Clement K. Gwede10. Sexual Aids for Gay and Bisexual Men and Transgender Women after Prostate Cancer Treatments, by Erik Wibowo and Richard Wassersug11. Experiences of Sexual Rehabilitation after Prostate Cancer: A Comparison of Gay and Bisexual Men with Heterosexual Men, by Jane M. Ussher, Duncan Rose, Janette Perz, Gary W. Dowsett, andAndrew Kellett12. Illness Intrusiveness and Social Support in Gay and Bisexual Men with Prostate Cancer, by Tae L. Hart, Crystal Hare, and David M. Latini13. The Effects of Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer on Gay and Bisexual Men’s Experiences of Mental Health, Sexual Functioning and Behavior, Sexual Identity, and Relationships, by William West, B. R. Simon Rosser, Benjamin D. Capistrant, Beatriz Torres, Badrinath R. Konety, Darryl Mitteldorf, Michael W. Ross, and Kristine M. Talley14. Toward a More Comprehensive Model of Prostate Cancer Care Inclusive of Gay and Bisexual Men and Transgender Women, by Donald Allensworth-Davies, Thomas O. Blank, Brian de Vries, and Emilia Lombardi15. Malecare: Twenty Years of Innovation and Service to Gay and Bisexual Men and Transgender Women with Prostate Cancer, by Darryl MitteldorfSection 3: Personal Experiences16. “Losing My Chestnut”: One Gay Man’s Wrangle with Prostate Cancer—Ten Years On, by Gary W. Dowsett17. What about Me?, by Ross Henderson18. An Invader in the Pleasure Dome, by Perry Brass19. Looking Back: Engaging Prostate Cancer as a Gay Man at the Turn of the Twenty-first Century, by Gerald Perlman20. A Shared Decision-Making Approach to Assessing Prostate Cancer Risk: A Gay Diary Case Study, by B. R. Simon Rosser, William West, and Badrinath R. KonetyGlossary About the Editors and Contributors Index