Re-constructing masculinity following radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer

Abstract

2Constructing and re-constructing masculinity following radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. AbstractProstate cancer is common in older men. Surgical treatment involving removal of the prostate can result in temporary or permanent erectile dysfunction and incontinence and have a major impact on men's masculine identity. Seven men were interviewed about their experiences and concerns following prostatectomy and the transcripts were analysed employing Foucauldian Discourse Analysis in order to identify the ways in which they constructed their masculinity. Participants drew upon four main discourses when discussing the impact of surgical treatment on their sense of masculinity: masculine identity and sexual activity, erectile dysfunction as a normative experience, mental resilience and vulnerability. Penetrative sex was constructed as central to a masculine identity but inability to achieve this was normalised in terms of the ageing process. Stereotypically masculine qualities of emotional control and rationality were drawn on in describing their reaction to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer but they also experienced a new-found sense of physical vulnerability. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the clinical management of erectile dysfunction post-surgery and helping men adjust to life following treatment.3

Psychosocial perspectives on sexual recovery after prostate cancer treatment

“…[94][95][96][97] Even men who achieve good erections (Erectile Function Domain ≥24) following prostate cancer treatment express shame and embarrassment because of changes compared to their baseline erectile function. 40 Patients with prostate cancer report that loss of sexual capacity makes them feel unmanly, invisible, and worthless, [97][98][99][100] and that it impedes social and mental health functioning. 95,101,102 Furthermore, if the patient worries about experiencing failure when using an aid to overcome ED (that is, performance anxiety) he might find it difficult to retain erotic interest or focus on pleasurable sensations during a sexual encounter.…”

Representações Sociais De Corpo Após O Adoecimento Por Câncer Na Próstata

“…O autor constata que, após o processo de adoecimento e tratamento oncológico, os homens passam a conviver com o sentimento de que seus corpos falharam para sustentar os padrões do modelo de masculinidade hegemônica, impactando assim o self e a identidade desses sujeitos. Gannon et al (2010) investigaram o impacto das mudanças corporais entre homens que realizaram a prostatectomia radical. Os autores constataram que a realização desta cirurgia produz alterações corporais, difíceis de serem suportadas pelos homens, produzindo alterações também nos seus sentimentos de masculinidade.…”

“…Estudos apontam que, durante o processo de adoecimento por câncer e no decorrer de todo o tratamento oncológico, os pacientes experienciam uma série de transformações corporais, geralmente traduzidas em redução da força física, emagrecimento ou ganho de peso, inchaço, alopecia, náuseas e vômitos, inapetência e, no caso dos homens, dificuldades de ter/manter uma ereção, ejaculação precoce, dentre outros sintomas que incidem na imagem corporal e na autoestima desses sujeitos (Kelly, 2009;Gannon et al, 2010;Mesquita et al, 2011;Burille et al, 2013;Modena et al, 2014;Martins & Modena, 2016b).…”

A experiência do homem com câncer de próstata na perspectiva da antropologia das masculinidades

“…O escore de Gleason varia de 2 a 10, e é classificado da seguinte forma: 2 a 4: tumores bem diferenciados; 5 e 6: tumores moderadamente diferenciados e de 7 a 10: tumores pouco diferenciados ou indiferenciados (DALL'OGLIO, 2011 (GANNON et al, 2010).…”

“…(WINTERICH et al, 2009;GANNON et al, 2010;MRO'Z et al, 2011a;CAMPBELL et al, 2012;BERTERP, 2013;HAMILTON et al, 2014;STAPLETON;PATTISON, 2015). Os objetivos que formularam esta pesquisa foram:…”