Support for the LGBTQIA+ Community with Prostate Cancer Members of the LGBTQIA+ community can have unique experiences when diagnosed with prostate cancer, from finding doctors to sexual-related side effects. Check out ZERO's support resources for gay men and the LGBTQIA+ community. Prostate cancer information for the LGBTQIA+ community Members of the LGBTQIA+ community can have unique experiences with prostate cancer, the emotional effects of a diagnosis, and treatment side effects, including sexual health. You are not alone. ZERO and many other organizations are here to help. Expand All I am a gay or bisexual man Gay and bisexual men have no increased risk of prostate cancer as compared to straight men. Neither oral nor anal sex increases the risk of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is not caused by one’s sexual orientation.However, studies have shown that gay and bisexual men are more negatively impacted by the side effects of prostate cancer than straight men are. The impact on intimacy for gay and bisexual men is particularly profound.Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common side effect after prostate cancer treatment. Much of the focus on side effect management after prostate cancer treatment is on ED and may ignore the needs of gay and bisexual men. Other possible issues that may be of concern to men who have sex with men include:Loss of ejaculatory functionChanges in rectal and prostate sensitivityChanges in anal intercourse due to the removal of the prostateTalking with your partner and with your doctor and utilizing resources may help you navigate these difficulties.Information resources:Prostate Cancer in Gay and Bisexual Men brochureLocalized prostate cancer treatment considerations for gay and bisexual menNorthwestern Medicine Gay and Bisexual Men’s Urology Program Videos:Prostate Cancer in Gay and Bisexual MenProstate Cancer in Gay and Bisexual Men: The Intersectional Racial-Sexual Minority Experience I am a transgender woman Although prostate cancer is often described as a male cancer (including on this website), the reality is that anyone who was born with a prostate can develop prostate cancer. We’re still learning about the impact that transitional hormones and gender-confirming surgery can have on the risk of prostate cancer. If you have a doctor you trust, that is the best person to talk to about your specific risk. Prostate Cancer Canada also has a very detailed and well-cited page about the effects of gender-confirming surgery and transitional hormones on prostate cancer risk, screening, and diagnosis for trans women.It can be emotionally difficult to have a male-associated cancer as someone who does not identify as male, especially since most prostate cancer support groups and resources are targeted at men. Consider building a support network of friends, family, or counselors with whom you feel comfortable discussing your prostate cancer diagnosis. MaleCare can also connect you with social workers who can help you. Additionally, Prostate Cancer UK is trialing an online support group for trans women.Although we often use male terms and pronouns, they are not meant to exclude transgender women or gender-nonconforming individuals. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, take a look at the rest of our website to gather more information about the disease. Being out to your doctor Having a doctor with whom you can be open about your sexual orientation or gender identity is important. Because prostate cancer can affect gay men and transgender women differently than cisgender or straight men, being out to your doctor can help you get the best possible care.You can find resources for coming out to your doctor at the Human Rights Campaign.Find an LGBTQ+ friendly healthcare provider near you at the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory. LGBTQIA+ Prostate Cancer Community ResourcesZERO Support GroupsProstate Cancer Support Group for the LGBTQIA+ Community (partners & spouses welcome) meets virtually the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month @ 10am PSTThis is a national group, so anyone in the United States is welcome to join. Contact Terri Likowski, Director of Support Groups, at terri@zerocancer.org to learn more.Gay Men with Prostate Cancer (partners and spouses welcome) meets virtually the 4th Thursday of every month @ 7pm ESTThis group is based out of Washington D.C. in coordination with the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. This support group is open to those who live in the U.S. Visit the website to learn more and see their full calendar.Other Organizations and Support GroupsJoin an online community for gay men with prostate cancerMalecare’s network of support groups and social workers who specialize in helping LGBTQ+ people after a prostate cancer diagnosisCancerCare’s LGBTQ+ Resources and Support GroupsFuckCancer’s LGBTQIA+ Cancer Support GroupNational LGBT Cancer Network Support GroupsFORCE virtual support meetingsLGBTQCaregivers.org - Provides advocacy, education and resources to empower LGBTQ Caregivers and those who care for LGBTQ people to improve their health and well-being.Out2Enroll.org - This organization is focused on getting LGBTQ+ individuals enrolled in health insurance.Resources to Find an Affirming DoctorLGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory - This is a free, searchable database of healthcare providers who are knowledgeable and sensitive to the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ people in the USA and Canada.OutCare's OutList: LGBTQ+ Affirming Healthcare Directory - This is an international healthcare directory that helps lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and two-spirit folks find LGBTQ+ friendly and affirming providers. Prostate cancer and the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ community Dr. Anne Katz, certified sexuality counselor and Clinical Nurse Specialist, discusses the unique issues and experiences that members of the LGBTQIA+ community can have with prostate cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship. Watch the video
Prostate cancer information for the LGBTQIA+ community Members of the LGBTQIA+ community can have unique experiences with prostate cancer, the emotional effects of a diagnosis, and treatment side effects, including sexual health. You are not alone. ZERO and many other organizations are here to help. Expand All I am a gay or bisexual man Gay and bisexual men have no increased risk of prostate cancer as compared to straight men. Neither oral nor anal sex increases the risk of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is not caused by one’s sexual orientation.However, studies have shown that gay and bisexual men are more negatively impacted by the side effects of prostate cancer than straight men are. The impact on intimacy for gay and bisexual men is particularly profound.Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common side effect after prostate cancer treatment. Much of the focus on side effect management after prostate cancer treatment is on ED and may ignore the needs of gay and bisexual men. Other possible issues that may be of concern to men who have sex with men include:Loss of ejaculatory functionChanges in rectal and prostate sensitivityChanges in anal intercourse due to the removal of the prostateTalking with your partner and with your doctor and utilizing resources may help you navigate these difficulties.Information resources:Prostate Cancer in Gay and Bisexual Men brochureLocalized prostate cancer treatment considerations for gay and bisexual menNorthwestern Medicine Gay and Bisexual Men’s Urology Program Videos:Prostate Cancer in Gay and Bisexual MenProstate Cancer in Gay and Bisexual Men: The Intersectional Racial-Sexual Minority Experience I am a transgender woman Although prostate cancer is often described as a male cancer (including on this website), the reality is that anyone who was born with a prostate can develop prostate cancer. We’re still learning about the impact that transitional hormones and gender-confirming surgery can have on the risk of prostate cancer. If you have a doctor you trust, that is the best person to talk to about your specific risk. Prostate Cancer Canada also has a very detailed and well-cited page about the effects of gender-confirming surgery and transitional hormones on prostate cancer risk, screening, and diagnosis for trans women.It can be emotionally difficult to have a male-associated cancer as someone who does not identify as male, especially since most prostate cancer support groups and resources are targeted at men. Consider building a support network of friends, family, or counselors with whom you feel comfortable discussing your prostate cancer diagnosis. MaleCare can also connect you with social workers who can help you. Additionally, Prostate Cancer UK is trialing an online support group for trans women.Although we often use male terms and pronouns, they are not meant to exclude transgender women or gender-nonconforming individuals. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, take a look at the rest of our website to gather more information about the disease. Being out to your doctor Having a doctor with whom you can be open about your sexual orientation or gender identity is important. Because prostate cancer can affect gay men and transgender women differently than cisgender or straight men, being out to your doctor can help you get the best possible care.You can find resources for coming out to your doctor at the Human Rights Campaign.Find an LGBTQ+ friendly healthcare provider near you at the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory.
LGBTQIA+ Prostate Cancer Community ResourcesZERO Support GroupsProstate Cancer Support Group for the LGBTQIA+ Community (partners & spouses welcome) meets virtually the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month @ 10am PSTThis is a national group, so anyone in the United States is welcome to join. Contact Terri Likowski, Director of Support Groups, at terri@zerocancer.org to learn more.Gay Men with Prostate Cancer (partners and spouses welcome) meets virtually the 4th Thursday of every month @ 7pm ESTThis group is based out of Washington D.C. in coordination with the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. This support group is open to those who live in the U.S. Visit the website to learn more and see their full calendar.Other Organizations and Support GroupsJoin an online community for gay men with prostate cancerMalecare’s network of support groups and social workers who specialize in helping LGBTQ+ people after a prostate cancer diagnosisCancerCare’s LGBTQ+ Resources and Support GroupsFuckCancer’s LGBTQIA+ Cancer Support GroupNational LGBT Cancer Network Support GroupsFORCE virtual support meetingsLGBTQCaregivers.org - Provides advocacy, education and resources to empower LGBTQ Caregivers and those who care for LGBTQ people to improve their health and well-being.Out2Enroll.org - This organization is focused on getting LGBTQ+ individuals enrolled in health insurance.Resources to Find an Affirming DoctorLGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory - This is a free, searchable database of healthcare providers who are knowledgeable and sensitive to the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ people in the USA and Canada.OutCare's OutList: LGBTQ+ Affirming Healthcare Directory - This is an international healthcare directory that helps lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and two-spirit folks find LGBTQ+ friendly and affirming providers.
Prostate cancer and the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ community Dr. Anne Katz, certified sexuality counselor and Clinical Nurse Specialist, discusses the unique issues and experiences that members of the LGBTQIA+ community can have with prostate cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship. Watch the video
