Many doctors say, “I treat all patients the same.” But not all patients are the same. Married and single patients have different treatment goals and expectations. Younger and older prostate cancer patients have different ways to digest their diagnosis. And, men who have sex with men have different concerns, too.
Hearing a prostate cancer diagnosis revisits the coming out experience.
Coming out as a gay man is often an isolating experience, and is echoed by hearing that he is diagnosed with cancer.
It is hard for a man to come out as a gay or bisexual man, now he is faced with coming out as a cancer survivor….even harder when your social community is so deeply invested in supporting other issues such as HIV/aids.
Many gay men have experienced their early lives in heterosexual relationships and marriages. They have tried hard not to be gay, and struggled to get past the fears and risks associated with being out. Now, they are trying hard to not be the person diagnosed with cancer, not the person whose life is once again at risk.
Patients need assurance that his doctor respects him as a gay man. Simply by asking a man if he enjoys sex with men, women or both, sets a calm and understanding clinical relationship. The patient needs to hear his doctor ask questions to understand the patients concerns about treatme