Embodied hegemonies: moral dilemmas in the onset of prostate cancer

[How did men report their long COVID experience? Health-Disease socio-anthropological meaning]

The study aims to explain the discourse of the collective subject of adult and elderly men about the experience of long COVID. Qualitative research, derived from a national multicenter clinical-virtual observatory involving 92 adult men, between 2022 and 2023 in Brazil. IRaMuTeQ software was used (data processing), the Collective Subject Discourse technique (analysis) and socio-anthropological references of the disease experience (interpretation). The results showed that the long COVID experience was marked by the prolongation of respiratory symptoms characteristic of COVID-19; systemic symptomatology in the physical-psychic body; and severe clinical complications. The experience of the long COVID-19 disease was shaped by gender relations and masculinities, constructed notions of health-disease, imaginaries about the capacity of the disease in the context of vaccination, the systemic character of syndromic events understood as sequelae left by the disease, resonating the sense of incapacity and stigmatization.

Masculinity stigma and metastatic prostate cancer: A review with a focus on Latin America

BACKGROUND

This review examines the impact of masculinity stigma on the diagnosis and treatment of metastatic prostate cancer, particularly in Latin America. It aims to provide insights into the influence of masculinity stigma on patient outcomes and inform strategies to address this issue.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL and LILACS) using relevant keywords and controlled vocabulary related to metastatic prostate cancer, masculinity, stigma, diagnosis, and treatment up to April 2023. The search strategy was developed in consultation with a medical librarian to ensure its comprehensiveness. Thirty-three studies that investigate the role of masculinity stigma in the diagnosis and treatment of metastatic prostate cancer were included.

RESULTS

Our findings highlight the unique sociocultural influences in Latin America that shape prostate cancer stigma. It emphasizes the impact of cultural beliefs, gender norms, and social expectations on stigma. Notions of masculinity, such as strength and invulnerability, contribute to the stigmatization of prostate cancer. Machismo culture and religious/spiritual beliefs further compound the challenges and hinder open communication about the disease. Cultural taboos, limited awareness, and misconceptions perpetuate the stigma.

CONCLUSIONS

These sociocultural factors shape the experiences and challenges faced by individuals with and at risk of prostate cancer in Latin America.

Body image, self-esteem, and sense of masculinity in patients with prostate cancer: a qualitative meta-synthesis

PURPOSE

Body image, self-esteem, and masculinity are three interconnected constructs in men with prostate cancer, with profound effects on quality of life. This meta-synthesis aimed to evaluate all known qualitative studies published studying the effect of prostate cancer on these constructs.

METHODS

A systematic review utilising PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases up to May 2020 was conducted in line with PRISMA and ENTREQ guidelines. All qualitative studies of men's experiences with body image, self-esteem, and masculinity whilst living with prostate cancer were included. A thematic meta-synthesis was conducted to identify emergent descriptive and analytical themes under the main study constructs.

RESULTS

Of 2188 articles identified, 68 were included. Eight descriptive themes were identified under two analytical themes: 'Becoming a Prostate Cancer Patient' and 'Becoming a Prostate Cancer Survivor'. These described the distress caused by changes to body image, sexual functioning, sense of masculinity, and self-esteem, and the subsequent discourses men engaged with to cope with and manage their disease. A key element was increased flexibility in masculinity definitions, and finding other ways to re-affirm masculinity.

CONCLUSIONS

Prostate cancer has an important effect on men's health post-diagnosis, and we identified strong relationships between each construct evaluated. The role of hegemonic masculinity is important when considering men's coping mechanisms and is also a key factor when addressing these constructs in counselling post-treatment.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

This meta-synthesis provides key topics that uniquely affect prostate cancer survivors, enabling these patients to be effectively counselled, and have their concerns recognised by clinicians.