Research Study - Sexual Wellbeing and Quality of Life after Prostate Cancer for Gay and Bisexual Men and their Partners
The University of Western Sydney and Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) are conducting a study on Sexual Wellbeing and Quality of Life after Prostate Cancer for Gay and Bisexual Men and their Partners.
It is estimated that 600 - 1000 Australian gay men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. This study aims to examine the psychological burden of changes to sexual wellbeing, sexual identity and intimate relationships in gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer and their male partners. Sexuality and intimacy are important aspects of an individual's quality of life, with changes to sexual functioning, relationships, and sense of self-reported to be among the most negative influences on the wellbeing of men with prostate cancer. However, the focus of previous research has been heterosexual men, with gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer being described as an "invisible diversity", or a "hidden population". This has led to a plea for research on the impact of potentially important differences in sexuality, identity, and intimate relationships on gay and bisexual men's experience of prostate cancer, which can be used to inform health education and health promotion, as well as lead to targeted psycho-social interventions.
This project is funded by Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) and is a collaboration between UWS and Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP). This research has received formal ethics approval from University of Western Sydney, ACON and Victoria AIDS Council (VAC).
Who can participate:
- Gay and/or bisexual men, and/or men who have sex with men, who have (or have had) prostate cancer
- Male partners of gay and/or bisexual men, and/or men who have sex with men who currently have prostate cancer
How to participate:
If you are willing to take part in this study, you will need to complete a survey, which may take about 30 minutes to complete. The survey has questions about the impact of prostate cancer, and your thoughts about sexual practices, sexual identity, intimate relationships and quality of life. You can access the survey online at http://www.uws.edu.au/PCAS (Person with Cancer Survey or Partner Survey).
If you are only interested in participating in Stage 2 of this study which is the interview, please contact the team via the email below. A member of our research team will contact you shortly to arrange the interview with you.
Contact Details:
- Telephone: 1800 19 20 02 (freecall) or +61 2 4620 3606
- Email: cancerandsexuality@uws.edu.au
- More information: http://www.uws.edu.au/PCAS
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/UWSPCAS
