A Gay Man's Guide to Prostate Cancer (Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy Monographic "Separates") (Hardcover)

by Gerald Perlman (Editor), Jack Drescher (Editor) "There was a time, not too long ago, when having cancer was considered so shameful that those individuals diagnosed were treated by others-and regarded themselves-as..." (more)
Key Phrases: gay urologist, proton beam radiation therapy, prostate cancer support group, New York, The Haworth Press, The Haworth Medical Press (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"an invaluable handbook for gay men, their partners, their psychotherapists, and their urologists." -- Gil Tunnell, PhD, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University; Co-author of Couples Therapy with Gay Men

"excellent... highly recommended. Very useful for either a gay or straight audience, and for both patients and practitioners." -- David Johannessen, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine

Product Description
Discover the facts about—and personal stories of—gay men diagnosed with prostate cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, one man in six will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime, the second leading cause of cancer death in men. A Gay Man’s Guide to Prostate Cancer explores the medical facts as well as the personal experiences of medical and mental health professionals and gay men from different walks of life. This insightful examination from the perspective of being gay in a predominantly heterosexual medical world emphasizes the unique concerns gay men have when confronted with this life-altering disease.

The status quo of the medical world is heterosexually assumptive. A Gay Man’s Guide to Prostate Cancer shifts the perspective to gay men’s needs, challenges, and experiences when faced with this critical health risk. The book is divided into a professional section that covers the medical and psychological aspects affecting gay men, and an experiential section in which gay men of varying ages, ethnicities, races, and HIV status describe their own very personal feelings and experiences regarding their diagnosis, treatment, and side-effects. A helpful glossary provided for the layperson explains the meanings of medical words and phrases.

A Gay Man’s Guide to Prostate Cancer discusses:

the basics of prostate cancer—with an overview of causes, diagnosis, screening guidelines, and treatments

the history of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment—and some unique concerns that gay men face when consulting a urologist and making treatment decisions

the practical questions regarding gay sex after treatment—with a matter-of-fact primer pertaining to what may happen during and what to do after treatment

the depression and anxiety that gay men will likely experience—with a look at the stigmatization and alienation that may occur in the heterosexually biased world

the dynamics and concerns of diagnosed gay men within the context of a self-help group—with topics that include gay identities, sexual behaviors and attitudes, feelings of helplessness, and HIV/AIDS considerations

how the surgical removal of one patient’s prostate gland affected him emotionally—and physically

how a patient’s diagnosis challenged his sexuality—and moved him to work at alerting other men of color to their increased risk of developing prostate cancer

a patient’s sexual dysfunction following radical surgery—and why he formed a gay men’s prostate cancer support group

how prostate cancer devastated one patient’s sense of self and body image; and his experience of being unacceptable in a gay community that he views as consumed with youth and beauty

older gay men’s thoughts when confronting prostate cancer—and how sex has evolved for them

the impact of cancer on couples’ relationships—and the importance of being proactive about treatment

a 33-year-old man’s struggle with prostate cancer—how it changed him and how it affected his relationship of 12 years

A Gay Man’s Guide to Prostate Cancer fills the gap in the literature about gay men challenged with prostate cancer, making it vital reading for physicians, psychotherapists, gay men faced with positive diagnosis, and of course, friends and loved ones. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to MaleCare, Inc., a nonprofit organization that specifically serves men with various forms of cancer and organizes self-help groups specifically targeted to gay men with prostate cancer.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 183 pages
• Publisher: Informa HealthCare; 1 edition (May 11, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560235527
• ISBN-13: 978-1560235521
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,074,737 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really helpful, August 29, 2005

By	Prostate Cancer Patient "amblinbooks" - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Gay Man's Guide To Prostate Cancer (Monograph Published Simultaneously as the Journal of Gay & L) (Paperback)

This book is great and covers gay men and prostate cancer from all angles. It suppliments what I have already learned from the prostate cancer pages at http://www.malecare.com . I am a member of the gay prostate cancer support group organization and this book has my recomendation to you.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what the Doctor needs, & the patient too, December 2, 2008

By	Richard C. Rhindress - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Gay Man's Guide To Prostate Cancer (Monograph Published Simultaneously as the Journal of Gay & L) (Paperback)

This is a much needed book, far more useful than others I had read on prostate cancer. It has two main themes, both essential to understand.

In one, it tells the gay man (and coincidentally straight men too) very much what to expect. The editors do it with an excellent balance of medical and "street" terms and descriptions. This is presented in a compilation of journal articles and anecdotal personal narratives. It is an easy and understandable read that doesn't beat around the bush.

In it's second theme it deals with the medical establishment's seeming unwillingness to deal realistically with the gay man with prostate cancer, his sexuality, and needs. It alerts the gay man that he will get little useful information from the medical practitioners that isn't couched in the terminology and perspective of straight (male/female) sexual relationships. It is also a plea to those in the medical community to become not just tolerant and accepting of their gay patients, but also knowledgeable for the gay man's especial sexuality and needs.

My only criticism of the book is that since it is five years old and the treatment technology is advancing so rapidly it does need an update to cover some of the advances, both in the technical sections and with added anecdotal information. Considering the incidence of the disease and the increasing openness of men who have sex with men, the demand for appropriate medical knowledge and counsel is rising rapidly. This book should be mandatory reading for every Urologist, Urologic Surgeon, and Radiation Oncologist who treats prostate cancer.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars satisfied customer, July 27, 2008

By	Dr. Steven J. Smith (Brisbane, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I ordered the book from Brisbane Australia, as an Amazon virgin. All went smoothly. Good feedback - being informed when the book left the store and when it left the US. It was delivered promptly to my home door in Brisbane within the expected time. The book was also wonderful. I could recommend the book and Amazon to anyone. Dr Steve Smith