A Qualitative Study of Psychosexual Implications of Prostate Cancer among Black Prostate Cancer Survivors

Introduction

Black men have an incidence rate of prostate cancer that is 60% higher than Caucasian men (ACS, 2014.). However, eighty-nine percent of prostate cancers in African American men are diagnosed where the 5-year survival rate approaches 100% (Institute of Medicine, 2006). Both incontinence and erectile dysfunction represent potential side effects post prostate cancer treatment, particularly in relation to surgery and radiation therapy. As a consequence, such occurrences invariably impact masculine identities in a culture driven by societal stereotypical views. For many men, conceptualizations of masculinity are often influenced by early life social and cultural factors. Incontinence and erectile dysfunction post prostate cancer treatment present inherent challenges to perceived masculine identities. Numerous studies have examined the impact of erectile dysfunction and incontinence on quality of life issues (Kao et al., 2000, Lubeck et al., 2001). Additionally, prostate cancer treatment limit men’s ability to work and challenges his sense of being a man and being able to provide for his family.