Abstract
Sexuality is frequently disturbed in prostate cancer (PC), the most common cancer in men. This article addresses aspects of sexuality in the diagnostic phase of PC. Combined with this information, the role of health care professionals (HCPs) is elucidated, with particular attention to assessment, information and education.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 8 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $32.38 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Nelson CJ, Gilley J, Roth AJ. The impact of a cancer diagnosis on sexual health. In: Mulhall JP, Incrocci L, Goldstein I, Rosen R, editors. Cancer and sexual health. New York: Humana Press; 2011. p. 407–14.
Spendelow JS, Eli Joubert H, Lee H, Fairhurst BR. Coping and adjustment in men with prostate cancer: a systematic review of qualitative studies. J Cancer Surviv. 2017;12:155–68.
Helgason AR, Adolfsson J, Dickman P, Arver S, Fredrikson M, Steineck G. Factors associated with waning sexual function among elderly men and prostate cancer patients. J Urol. 1997;158:155–9.
Salonia A, Zanni G, Gallina A, Briganti A, Saccà A, Suardi N, et al. Unsuccessful investigation of preoperative sexual health issues in the prostate cancer “couple”: results of a real-life psychometric survey at a major tertiary academic center. J Sex Med. 2009;6:3347–55.
Klein T, Palisaar RJ, Holz A, Brock M, Noldus J, Hinkel A. The impact of prostate biopsy and peri-prostatic nerve block on erectile and voiding function: a prospective study. J Urol. 2010;184:1447–52.
Helfand BT, Glaser AP, Rimar K, Zargaroff S, Hedges J, McGuire BB, et al. Prostate cancer diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction after prostate biopsy. BJU Int. 2013;111:38–43.
Incrocci L, Madalinska JB, Essink-Bot ML, Van Putten WL, Koper PC, Schröder FH. Sexual functioning in patients with localized prostate cancer awaiting treatment. J Sex Marital Ther. 2001;27:353–63.
Meston CM, Buss DM. Why humans have sex. Arch Sex Behav. 2007;36:477–507.
Bancroft J, Janssen E, Strong D, Carnes L, Vukadinovic Z, Long JS. The relation between mood and sexuality in heterosexual men. Arch Sex Behav. 2003;32:217–30.
Nicholas DR. Men, masculinity, and cancer: risk-factor behaviors, early detection, and psychosocial adaptation. J Am Coll Health. 2000;49:27–33.
Ussher JM, Perz J, Gilbert E, Wong WK, Hobbs K. Renegotiating sex and intimacy after cancer: resisting the coital imperative. Cancer Nurs. 2013;36:454–62.
Boehmer U, Babayan RK. Facing erectile dysfunction due to prostate cancer treatment: perspectives of men and their partners. Cancer Invest. 2004;22:840–8.
McInnis MK, Pukall CF. Sex After Prostate Cancer in Gay and Bisexual Men: A Review of the Literature. Sex. Med Rev. 2020;8:466–72.
Saheb Kashaf M, Butler PR, Cordon-Galiano BH, Herati AS. Sexual health care practitioners’ evaluation of men who have sex with men. J Sex Med. 2018;15:942–6.
Gianotten WL, Aars H. Cancer care professionals should pay more attention to the sexual aspects of cancer in men with a non-mainstream sexual orientation. Integr Cancer Sci Ther. 2018;5:1–6. https://www.oatext.com
EMIS First Report http://www.emis-project.eu/sites/default/files/public/publications/emis-2010_european_msm_internet_survey_38_countries_v5.pdf
Dangerfield DT II, Smith LR, Williams J, Unger J, Bluthenthal R. Sexual positioning among men who have sex with men: a narrative review. Arch Sex Behav. 2017;46:869–84.
Boehmer U, Miao X, Ozonoff A. Cancer survivorship and sexual orientation. Cancer 2011;117:3796–804.
Wassersug RJ, Lyons A, Duncan D, Dowsett GW, Pitts M. Diagnostic and outcome differences between heterosexual and nonheterosexual men treated for prostate cancer. Urology 2013;82:565–71.
Tal R. Prostate cancer. In: Reisman Y, Gianotten WL, editors. Cancer, intimacy and sexuality; a practical approach. Cham: Springer Nature; 2017. p. 129–40.
Fode M, Serefoglu EC, Albersen M, Sønksen J. Sexuality following radical prostatectomy: is restoration of erectile function enough? Sex Med Rev. 2017;5:110–9.
Potosky AL, Davis WW, Hoffman RM, Stanford JL, Stephenson RA, Penson DF, et al. Five-year outcomes after prostatectomy or radiotherapy for prostate cancer: the prostate cancer outcomes study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004;6:1358–67.
Gianotten WL. The mental health benefits of sexual expression. In: Lew-Starowicz M, Giraldi A, Krüger THC, editors. Psychiatry and sexual medicine; a comprehensive guide for clinical practitioners. Cham: Springer Nature; 2021. p. 57–70.
Diamond LM, Huebner DM. Is good sex good for you? Rethinking sexuality and health. Soc Personal Psychol Compass. 2012;6:54–69.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The author declares that he has no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gianotten, W.L. Prostate cancer: impact of the diagnosis on sexuality and the role of the HCP. Int J Impot Res 33, 393–396 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-020-00403-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-020-00403-6