Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Advice for Queer Men
16 Sep 2024
September marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a crucial time to highlight the importance of prostate cancer testing and detection. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers amongst people presumed male at birth, with 1 in 5 Australian men likely to be diagnosed with the cancer during their lifetime. For gay, bi, and other men who have sex with men as well as some non-binary people and trans women, unique considerations and challenges make awareness and testing even more important.
Are Prostate Cancer Rates Higher in Queer Men?
Being gay or bi+ doesn’t make you more likely to get prostate cancer.
However, queer men are less likely to get tested for prostate cancer and this can mean doctors catch the cancer later and it can become more serious. There’s also a lack of studies and data on exactly how many queer men die from prostate cancer, partly because cancer doctors often don’t ask about sexuality. In Australia, 11 men of all sexualities die every day from prostate cancer.
Having receptive anal sex (bottoming) also does not increase your chance of developing prostate cancer.
What Are the Unique Challenges?
Many queer men feel uncomfortable discussing their sexuality and sex life with their doctor. Some might also feel uncomfortable receiving a prostate exam. It’s important to find a doctor you can be comfortable with for regular testing, whether that’s at a clinic like The Centre Clinic, specifically for LGBTIQ+ people, or a culturally competent doctor you know you can trust.
Similarly, non-binary people and trans women with a prostate face many barriers to accessing culturally competent healthcare. Make sure you have a gender-affirming doctor who understands your experience, like at Equinox Gender Diverse Health Service.
Queer men often don’t understand exactly how prostate cancer will affect their sex life. Frequently described as the “male g-spot”, the prostate plays an important role in pleasurable anal sex for many queer men.
After diagnosis, prostate cancer treatments range from active surveillance to surgery, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. Each option has different implications for sexual function and it’s important you openly discuss this with your surgeon and request minimal nerve damage to your erectile function, to avoid or minimise impotence. Consider seeking a second opinion or consulting a specialist with experience in treating gay and bi+ men to explore which treatment aligns best with your sex life and preferences.
What Advice is There for Queer Men?
Ensure you get tested for prostate cancer regularly, in line with Cancer Society recommendations. Choose a doctor you trust and can be open with. Note: these guidelines are currently being reviewed and may change.
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, make sure you discuss the treatment options with your doctor. Explain your sex life before treatment, and what you’d ideally like to be able to continue with post treatment.
It’s important you have a doctor you trust, who you feel like you can discuss this with.
Consider joining a support group specifically for gay and bi+ men. It could help to find a sense of community with people who had similar experiences navigating a diagnosis. Thorne Harbour helps run a group for exactly this, called the Prostate Pride Peer Support Group. To find out more, contact prostatepride@gmail.com.
A cancer diagnosis can also take a toll on mental health, affecting body image, sexual identity, and relationships. Engaging with mental health professionals who understand the specific experiences of gay and bi+ men can be beneficial. Don’t hesitate to seek counselling or peer support.
Looking Forward
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month serves as a vital reminder for everyone with a prostate to stay informed and proactive about their prostate health. By promoting awareness about the specific challenges queer men face, encouraging open conversations, and seeking tailored care, we can help ensure that every person has the knowledge and support needed to navigate prostate cancer with confidence and dignity.
If someone you know needs support or more information about prostate cancer, encourage them to read this article. You can also reach out to our support group for guidance and more information.