u02d2 Cancers

It is all too common in females and males for a form of cancer to occur in the sex organs. Females can contract breast, ovarian, cervical, and vaginal cancers while males can contract testicular, breast, and prostate cancers. How would you react if you received a diagnosis of one of these forms of cancer? How would you be supportive of a man or woman who has the diagnosis? Include resources for support.

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The possibility of contracting prostate cancer is statistically higher as opposed to any other disease related to the male sex organ. According to the CDC, prostrate cancer is the second leading cause of death among males in the United States behind lung cancer and resulted in nearly 30,000 deaths in 2007 (USCSWG, 2010). Estimates are that one in 30 men diagnosed with metastatic cancer die in the United States (Burns & Mahalik, 2008). If I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and depending of course on the stage at which the cancer has progressed, a whole gamut of possible cognitive and affective reactions may occur. One of my initial reactions would be to determine the best treatment option. Provided other options are available, surgical removal of the prostate or radical prostatectomy would probably be my last choice among treatment options. If the cancer had metastasized, I would most likely seek the counsel of others, perhaps professional counseling to assist in a decision on the best treatment option and to deal with the emotional trauma of a terminal illness. Typically, when Ive had an injury or a health related issue I like to engage in active surveillance until I know exacting how severe the problem is and then make an informed decision about the appropriate treatment option. Prostate cancer is slow growing and some men outlive its fatal effects (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2004). In the case of a less severe case of prostate cancer, undergoing frequent and periodic PSA (Prostrate Specific-Antigen) blood tests and surveillance under a doctors care would be a follow up step to the diagnosis. Psychologically, considering the potentially fatal aspects of the disease, Id most likely engage in three things: 1) prayer, 2) deep self-reflection and meditation, and 2) seeking the support of professionals, family and friends. Obviously any sex organ disease may alter ones sex life and some treatments for prostate cancer such as radical prostatectomy cause long term sexual problems of erectile dysfunction, impotency, poorer urinary and bowel functioning (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2004; Burns & Mahalik, 2008). Reflecting upon these possibilities may cause me to feel various levels of fear, depression, regret, and body image shame and anxiety. Working through some of the emotional trauma with others would be a difficult but necessary process to psychological health and physical recovery. Supporting an individual who had contracted prostate cancer, may involve helping another overcome an adherence to male scripts of hegemony. Research indicates that those who adhere to hegemonic masculinity scripts are more prone to risky behaviors such as substance and

alcohol abuse and poorer psychological and physical adjustment (Mahalik, Burns, & Syzdek, 2007). Many men, especially from Hispanic backgrounds steeped in the cultural construct of machismo, are reticent to elicit support from others and may attempt to bear their pain in silence (RiveraRamos & Buki, 2011). Seale, Ziebland, & Charteris-Black, (2006) indicated that some men do not share their health concerns and fears with their wives, but seek prostate cancer support groups and disease related information via the Internet. Men who elect to receive less emotionally and physically destabilizing treatments such as hormone treatments may be less at risk for emotional and physical post treatment maladjustment (Pirl et al., 2002). However, research indicates that emotionally controlled men diagnosed with severe prostate cancer and elect to receive a radical prostatectomy exhibit a poorer post treatment psychological and physical adjustment (Burns & Mahalik, 2008). Careful consideration of the shame and emotional distress associated with prostate cancer and mens tendencies to adhere to norms of self reliance and stoicism may involve a lengthy process of communication and emotional bonding before trust can be established and emotional healing can begin. Consistent and emphatic support will invariably assist severe prostate cancer patients in achieving a more complete psychological and physical post treatment adjustment while actually affirming their true masculinity and sense of well being. Anthony Rhodes General Psychology Ph.D References Burns, S., & Mahalik, J. R. (2008). Treatment type and emotional control as predictors of men's self-assessed physical well-being following treatment for prostate cancer. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 9(2), 55-66. Mahalik, J. R., Burns, S. M., & Syzdek, M. (2007). Masculinity and perceived normative health behaviours as predictors of men's health behaviours. Social Science and Medicine, 64, 2201 2209. Pirl, W. F., Siegel, G. I., Goode, M. J., & Smith, M. R. (2002). Depression in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: A pilot study. Psycho-Oncology, 11, 518523. Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., & Fichner-Rathus, L. (2004). Human sexuality in a world of diversity (6th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN: 0205406157. Rivera-Ramos, Z. A., & Buki, L. P. (2011). I will no longer be a man! Manliness and prostate cancer screenings among Latino men. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 12(1), 13-25. doi:10.1037/a0020624

Seale, C., Ziebland, S., & Charteris-Black, J. (2006). Gender, cancer experience and Internet use: A comparative keyword analysis of interviews and online cancer support groups. Social Science and Medicine,62, 25772590. U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. (2010). United States Cancer Statistics: 1999 2007 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Cancer Institute.