ABSTRACT

The burden of prostate cancer is considerable, with some men needing treatment to slow the growth of tumors, and others requiring surgery to remove the prostate gland. Such medical and surgical treatments for prostate cancer can increase men’s risk for impotence and urinary incontinence, leading to physical and emotional distress. Using a qualitative descriptive design involving semi-structured interviews, we asked men (n = 20) who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer to describe their psychosocial needs and experiences. Within these patient narratives were elements of personal and interpersonal loss, vulnerability, stigma, and self-blame. Based on our thematic analysis, we identified three themes: 1) I’m not 18 anymore, 2) Nothing below the waistline, and 3) It’s a family affair. Our objective in this paper is to highlight the ways in which men’s sexual health and intimate relationships are affected by prostate cancer. Discussed are the clinical implications of the findings for supporting individuals and couples affected by prostate cancer.

摘要

前列腺癌的负担是相当大的，有些男人需要治疗以减缓肿瘤的生长，而另一些则需要手术切除前列腺。前列腺癌的这种医学和外科治疗会增加男性阳imp和尿失禁的风险，导致身体和情绪困扰。使用涉及半结构化访谈的定性描述设计，我们让被诊断患有前列腺癌的男性（n = 20）描述他们的社会心理需要和经历。在这些耐心的叙述中，包含了个人和人际关系丧失，脆弱性，污名和自责的元素。根据我们的主题分析，我们确定了三个主题：1）我已经不再18岁了； 2）腰围以下什么都不是； 3）这是家庭事务。本文的目的是强调前列腺癌对男性性健康和亲密关系的影响。讨论了该发现对支持受前列腺癌影响的个人和夫妇的临床意义。