Gay Men, Prostate Cancer, and What Comes After
Find this project on social media:
Background & PurposeThere is currently a significant body of research that has explored the topic of heterosexual couples’ experiences with prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment; however, there is very little research that looks at the experiences of gay men. The aim of this research study is to explore how being diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer affects the lives and intimate relationships of gay men. The findings of this research will help to inform a larger program of research that has focused on the experiences of heterosexual couples with prostate cancer conducted by Dr. Deborah McLeod at Dalhousie University.
|
Research Objectives, Goals, and Future Directions
The objective of this study is to better understand the lives, experiences, and coping strategies of gay men following diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Gaining an awareness of the process of becoming a person living with prostate cancer from the perspective of the person will help us to learn how and when we can provide the most helpful care in the most meaningful way.
Research Goals:
Later projects will include the partner/spouses of gay men living with prostate cancer to explore how the intimate partner and eventually the couples cope during the diagnosis, treatment and post treatment period. The results will inform future studies that will include both the survivor and their intimate partner to better understand how the individual partners and couple cope with the changes associated with this diagnosis.
Research Goals:
- Construct a theory that helps to illuminate the patterns of behaviour in response to experiencing a diagnosis and establishing a new way of being in their intimate relationships
- Identify potential factors that influence the way that gay men frame and experience themselves as sexual beings in a relationship
- Identify coping mechanisms, both emotional and behavioural that gay men use to make sense of the changes experienced as a result of prostate cancer treatment
- Identify points of intervention where health care providers might be able to assist in the process of living with the changes, both emotional and physical during and following treatment of prostate cancer
- Uncover barriers to care that are responsive to the needs of gay men
Later projects will include the partner/spouses of gay men living with prostate cancer to explore how the intimate partner and eventually the couples cope during the diagnosis, treatment and post treatment period. The results will inform future studies that will include both the survivor and their intimate partner to better understand how the individual partners and couple cope with the changes associated with this diagnosis.
ParticipantsParticipants will be English-speaking gay men from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island who have been diagnosed with and treated for prostate cancer. Dr. Rickards will conduct a 1-2 hour recorded interview to speak with the participant about their experiences. She may also need to conduct a second, shorter interview with the participant (30-60 minutes) to explore ideas and themes that were not explored during the first interview. As a thank you for taking part in this research, participants will receive a $25 gift card to Cineplex Theatres.
|
For more information
Please contact Dr. Rickards using the contact page of this website.