Let's talk about gay sex: gay and bisexual men's sexual communication with healthcare professionals after prostate cancer

摘要

Although sexual changes after prostate cancer ( PC a) have specific meanings and consequences for gay and bisexual ( GB ) men, little is known about how GB men navigate sexual well‐being support. We surveyed 124 GB men with PC a and 21 male partners, and interviewed a sub‐sample of 46 GB men and 7 male partners, to examine GB men's experiences of sexual communication with healthcare professionals ( HCP s) since the onset of PC a. GB men perceived a number of deficits in HCP s communication: medical support dominated sexual and psychological support; heterosexuality of GB patients was often assumed; sexual orientation disclosure was problematic; and GB men perceived rejection or lack of interest and knowledge from a majority of HCP s with regard to gay sexuality and the impact of PC a on GB men. Facilitators of communication were acknowledgement of sexual orientation and exploration of the impact of PC a on GB men. In order to target improved support for GB men with PC a, it is concluded that HCP s need to address issues of hetero‐centricism within PC a care by improving facilitation of sexual orientation disclosure, recognising that GB men with PC a might have specific sexual and relational needs, and increasing knowledge and comfort discussing gay sexuality and gay sexual practices.