Psychotherapy with Gay Prostate Cancer Patients

Prostate cancer treatment should run along two parallel tracks: (1) reducing the biological threat of the disease and (2) reducing the psychological symptoms which ensue from internalizing the diagnosis and undergoing physical treatment. Many patients diagnosed with prostate cancer report symptoms of both depression and anxiety. Using examples from his psychotherapy practice, the author depicts and offers treatment strategies for the psychological reactions to diagnosis, treatment, and the consequences of treatment as they affect the gay man struggling with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer in gay men often intersects with the social issues of minority status, discrimination and stigmatization. As gay men navigate the heterosexually biased world of prostate cancer treatment, they must also confront potential problems of stigmatization, including scarring, ejaculation problems, erectile dysfunction, and HIV/AIDS envy. The author stresses the need for gay oriented programs and gender bias free materials as both appropriate and empowering to the community of all prostate cancer patients and their families. (C) 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.