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Effects of Prostate Cancer Go Beyond the Physical, Leading to Feelings of Loss of Masculinity

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Posted 9/23/2013 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/survey-reveals-effects-prostate-cancer-120000764.html

TORONTO, Sept. 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Prostate cancer can impact quality of life, affecting patients' day-to-day life and overall well-being. According to a new national survey of men who have or have had prostate cancer, the condition's physical manifestations can also lead to psychological and social concerns, both of which are more pronounced for those in the later stages of the disease, when the tumour has metastasized or spread beyond the prostate.

Posted 9/23/2013 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for posting.  However, I didn't find any surprises in the article.  Most of it would probably be already known by those of us who have been affected by the disease, and especially by those of us here on HW who communicate with a broad and diverse group of men dealing with prostate cancer and its after-effects.

It may be instructive for those unfamiliar with prostate cancer.

The good news is that 84 percent of men affected by the disease report that they're living life to the fullest.

We all know too well the downside of having cancer.  That 84 percent of us feel we're living life to the fullest was an encouraging number.

 

Posted 9/23/2013 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
The article actually says:

"While 84 per cent of all men surveyed feel they are living their lives to the fullest, many reported that they are unable to enjoy life, including 50 per cent of men with advanced prostate cancer and 19 per cent of men with early stage prostate cancer."

Sounds like a contradiction to me, it says 84% are living their lives to the fullest, many reported that they are unable to enjoy life.

How can that be both ways? Living their lives to the fullest but unable to enjoy life? Or am I being too literal again?

David
Posted 9/23/2013 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Really, who would have thought that PC could have affected me that way...
Posted 9/23/2013 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Purgatory,

Yes, you are being too literal, but yes, it is contradictory.

My best explanation is that it is an issue of scale. We have all shrunk and although we live full lives, they are tiny little full lives, stuffed with crumbs.
Posted 9/23/2013 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Plus what value is a study based on 517 men?
Posted 9/23/2013 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
Purg, It does sound a bit contradictory, but I think they're saying that while 84 percent say they're living life to its fullest "many" report they're unable to enjoy life.

When you're writing an article, the premise of which is that prostate cancer leads to "feelings of loss of masculinity" and "loss of identity," it's not suprising that one would look at those 16 percent who aren't "living their lives to the fullest" and refer to them as "many." And yes, that is a lot of men, so it's not inaccurate.

When I read Peter's comment, I remembered what a nun said to us way back in grade school 55 years ago. She said that in heaven, all will be perfectly happy, but for an expansive soul, that would entail quantitatively more happiness, while to a narrow soul, one that has never really expanded itself, it would entail less happiness in real terms, but that everyone would still be perfectly happy according to their ability to perceive happiness. I'm not arguing for the existence of a "heaven," just reflecting on Peter's interesting comment that our lives are still full, but now they're tiny lives, filled with crumbs. It brought back memories of that nun's comments many decades ago.
Posted 9/23/2013 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
The article certainly hits home in my case as my QOL has greatly diminished and I really have to extend myself physically and emotionally to create those memories with family and friends. Perhaps the article is pointing out the need for a holistic approach to help deal with these matters related to PCa, as my Urologist is not interested nor does he have the time to address these issues. Nor does my Oncologist.

Maybe that is why we continue to be a part of this forum, but it is limited in scope, and I have never found much joy in spending time behind a computer for a long period of time. The GMPH gatherings probably help with many of these scenarios, but not all of us can attend. My being part of my community has decreased as my problems associated with PCa have increased. And it certainly has impacted all of my relationships to varying degrees. I will just keep moving my feet looking for answers and staying as busy as I can engaged in the activities that bring me joy.

Michael 

Posted 9/23/2013 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
It's not contradictory. People can lead what they think is a full life with their limitations.
For example many blind or paralyzed people lead a full life in spite of what we would consider major limitations. Humans are great at adapting and substituting things they can do for those they are unable to do anymore in order to live fulfilling lives.
Posted 9/23/2013 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
guys, not to be a downer, but if you ask a million men without PCa if they enjoy life to the fullest I'd be surprised if more than 50% say they do. Life is full of stress. It's about expectations. And although I agree with john that we are highly adaptable to any circumstance, those expectations always get int he way. One could go into a rant about the "American Dream" here but it's just not related.

As for "loss of masculinity", look up rates of ED in men 50+, 60+ and so on. those rates are extremely high regardless of PCa. As such, one can argue that the potential for these feelings has more to do with aging than with PCa per se.

Also, it really depends how one defines masculinity and gender roles. Just too many variables involved.
Posted 9/23/2013 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
davidg said:

"... the potential for these feelings has more to do with aging than with PCa per se."

Well said. We can't blame everything on PCa.

It's only human nature to interpret every little ache and pain that suddenly arises anywhere in the body as the beast expanding itself, but the reality is that the vast majority of such troubles are going to have nothing to do with PCa, and are far more likely the result of some condition of aging making itself known.

The sooner we understand this, the less paranoid we become about every cramp and twinge, and the better off we are.
Posted 9/23/2013 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
My take on the survey is that it confirms one fact that I already knew before I read it. Nobody likes hormone therapy. Physical limitations one can find a way around -- there are lots of ways to have fun. But if you give a man drugs that directly attack the underlying ability to enjoy anything very much, then it's not just a lack of imagination in finding enjoyable activities while working around some physical lifestyle limitation.

That's not to say that men on HT can't live a full, satisfying, active life. We have a number of them here on the forum. Later this week I am going to go hang out with some of them in Rochester. I admire the heck out of them. Because I know it's not easy.
Posted 9/23/2013 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Peter I think you, as usual had some great things to say and point out. We have guys in our forum who have been on HT for years and will be the rest of their lives who are living above their cancer and sucking the life out of their bonus days. I have had the pleasure of meeting several of them at GFMPH gatherings and sure they hate HT and PC but they love life more.

 

I was lucky I got to my PC early and had a great surgeon who got it out and kept me 100% continent. Yes I do have 100% ED but I was on Viagra for years and was suffering from a downhill slide in the sex part of life before PC. I miss the normal sex life I had 10 years ago but I love life even more. Since my RALP I have lost over 30 lbs in weight and I now pee like I did when I was a teenager and overall my QOL has improved. The best part is the many friendships I have made through HW and attending GFMPH gatherings something I would be hard pressed to exchange for not having any ED.

 

Terry
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