Changes in Sexuality of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients under Hormone Therapy in Japan: A Case Study
Abstract: Hormone therapy is
an important treatment for male patients with prostate cancer. However, it can
produce changes in the genitalia and sexuality of the patients.
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relations between changes in
male genitalia and sexuality in the castration-resistant prostate cancer
patients. It also proposed concrete interventions to ease pain and fear towards
body image changes.
Methods: This study used a descriptive qualitative design. The subjects
were two castration-resistant prostate cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
and endocrine therapy. The data were collected through semi-structured
interviews and analyzed using verbatim reports and content analysis.
Results: The study indicated that the effects of hormone therapy
treatment on the sexuality were largely categorized as: “surprises and
anxieties about the shrinkage of male genitalia”, “masculinity loss”,
“difficulty adapting the situation”, and “connection with others”.
Conclusion: It became clear that the prostate cancer patients had pains
not only for prognosis, but also for physical changes, relationship changes
with others and sexuality changes through their treatments.
Keywords: Prostate cancer;
chemotherapy; hormone therapy; sexuality
Penulis: Yoshiyuki Kashiwagi,
Shige Kakinohan
Kode Jurnal: jpkeperawatandd160480
