This book provides an overview of research and practice dealing with the specific needs of gay and bisexual men living with prostate cancer, as well as the special psychosocial needs of their partners. The intention is twofold: to provide insight into the unique experiences and concerns of gay or bisexual men living with prostate cancer in order to inform and assist future research, clinical practice and supportive care, and policy; and to ensure that the needs of gay and bisexual men are recognized and advanced on the mainstream prostate cancer agenda. Featuring both cutting-edge research and powerful portraits of gay and bisexual men living with prostate cancer, this book will be indispensable for health care, oncology, and mental health practitioners who seek to address their specific experiences and challenges.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men and the second leading cause of deaths in men, after lung cancer. Men have a one in six chance of diagnosis with the number doubling for gay couples. While biology between gay and heterosexual men is the same, cultural differences in the ways in which gay men and heterosexuals experience diagnosis, treatment, and recovery vary widely. Most urologists, support groups, prostate cancer literature assume patients are heterosexual, leaving gay men to seek out reliable information particular to their needs on their own. What Every Gay Man Needs to Know About Prostate Cancer provides gay men with the essential answers to important questions often left undiscussed, such as: Which treatment will allow me to continue to experience receptive and/or directive anal intercourse? Which treatment might preserve the ejaculate? If I choose a treatment that leaves me with no semen, how am I and my male sex partners likely to react? What if my penis never again gets hard enough to penetrate a man? What are the effects of anal intercourse on PSA readings? How long must one wait after treatment to engage in anal stimulation of any sort? How will the absence of a prostate gland affect anal pleasure? What are the complications if one has HIV/AIDS in addition to prostate cancer? Will the size of my penis shrink after surgery? Also included are an updated glossary of technical terms and an appendix of resources for those seeking further information and/or looking to speak with other gay men who are either going through or have been through what the reader may be experiencing.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men after skin cancer. However this cancer is highly curable and most men live for many years after treatment; only eleven percent of cancer deaths are due to prostate cancer. It is well known that the side effects of the treatment cause more suffering than the disease itself. Side effects of surgery include incontinence and erectile difficulties; radiation therapy leads to urinary and bowel problems; and androgen deprivation (hormone) therapy leads to a broad range of long-term side effects affecting physical and emotional functioning. But it is not only the man who suffers through treatment and its side effects. The partners and spouses of prostate cancer survivors are known to experience distress as the man they love moves through the various stages of diagnosis, treatment, and survival. While prostate cancer is a couples' disease, there is much attention paid to the man with cancer and very little to the person and his partner or spouse, who is his prime supporter and who often struggles to make sense of what has happened and why, and how best to support and take care of him. Prostate Cancer and the Man You Love speaks to the loving partners/spouses of men with prostate cancer, whether soon after diagnosis, or later when the man gets on with the rest of his life. Katz includes both the medical information necessary to understanding the disease and firsthand accounts from cancer patients and survivors and their partners. Tips for communication and problem solving, with both partners and health care teams, are offered throughout. Anyone dealing with prostate cancer will find in these pages comfort and insight, as well as specific advice for coping, healing, and moving forward in the spirit of healing and love.

At a time when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals-often referred to under the umbrella acronym LGBT-are becoming more visible in society and more socially acknowledged, clinicians and researchers are faced with incomplete information about their health status. While LGBT populations often are combined as a single entity for research and advocacy purposes, each is a distinct population group with its own specific health needs. Furthermore, the experiences of LGBT individuals are not uniform and are shaped by factors of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographical location, and age, any of which can have an effect on health-related concerns and needs. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People assesses the state of science on the health status of LGBT populations, identifies research gaps and opportunities, and outlines a research agenda for the National Institute of Health. The report examines the health status of these populations in three life stages: childhood and adolescence, early/middle adulthood, and later adulthood. At each life stage, the committee studied mental health, physical health, risks and protective factors, health services, and contextual influences. To advance understanding of the health needs of all LGBT individuals, the report finds that researchers need more data about the demographics of these populations, improved methods for collecting and analyzing data, and an increased participation of sexual and gender minorities in research. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People is a valuable resource for policymakers, federal agencies including the National Institute of Health (NIH), LGBT advocacy groups, clinicians, and service providers.

Striking one in 10 males, prostrate cancer is the number-one killer of men in America. This important guide offers men and they women who love them the tools they need to prevent and/or treat the disease effectively, cope with the wide range of emotional, psychological, and interpersonal issues associated ith the illness, and more.

This book covers the scope of current knowledge of cancer in the LGBT community across the entire cancer continuum, from understanding risk and prevention strategies in LGBT groups, across issues of diagnosis and treatment of LGBT patients, to unique aspects of survivorship and death and dying in these communities. Each chapter includes an in depth analysis of the state of the science, discusses the many remaining challenges and unanswered questions and makes recommendations for research, policy and programmatic strategies required to address these. Focus is also placed on the diversity of the LGBT communities. Issues that are unique to cancer in LGBT populations are addressed including the social, economic and cultural factors that affect cancer risk behaviors, barriers to screening, utilization of health care services, and legislation that directly impacts the health care of LGBT patients, healthcare settings that are heterosexist and unique aspects of patient-provider relationships such as disclosure of sexual orientation and the need for inclusion of expanded definition of family to include families of choice. The implications of policy change, its impact on healthcare for LGBT patients are highlighted, as are the remaining challenges that need to be addressed. A roadmap for LGBT cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, survivorship, including treatment and end of life care is offered for future researchers, policy makers, advocates and health care providers.

Praise for Androgen Deprivation Therapy: "To my knowledge [this] is the only book written in plain language (no medical jargon) explaining what’s happening during ADT, and detailing how to limit and often solve most associated side effects. It should be read by every man undergoing ADT, as well as family members and also healthcare providers. They will find all the details they need to get the most from this treatment..." Prof. N. Mottet, MD, PhD, Urologist, Medical Oncologist, Head of the Prostate Cancer Guidelines panel of the European Association of Urology Androgen Deprivation Therapy is the only guide written exclusively about the side effects of hormone therapy. The authors have collaborated with the European Association of Urology to produce this specially revised new edition to serve men affected by ADT across the globe. This comprehensive workbook for prostate cancer patients and their loved ones is filled with practical advice from experts in the field. The book covers a wealth of strategies to help men cope with ADT and maintain a good quality of life while on this treatment. It is not only an informational manual, but a guide for both patients and partners about ways to make changes in their lives that can keep them healthy and positive when the patient is on ADT. New to this Edition: Updates on the physical side effects of ADT and management strategies Expanded information on exercise and nutrition for men diagnosed with prostate cancer Updates on the primary drugs used to treat prostate cancer and extensive drug tables with common brand names worldwide Revisions throughout based on critical feedback from international medical experts in the field of prostate cancer and related disciplines Exercises, activities, worksheets, and other tools to promote discussion and inspire behavioural changes that can reduce the burden of ADT Officially endorsed by the European Association of Urology