Toward a More Comprehensive Model of Prostate Cancer Care Inclusive of Gay and Bisexual Men and Transgender Women

Abstract

C H A P T E R S U M M A R Y Despite the recent growth in cancer care research specific to sexual-minority populations, comprehensive care models of prostate cancer inclusive of gay and bisexual men (GBM) and transgender women (TGW) are lacking. The prostate cancer care process is described as occurring in four phases: (1) screening, (2) diagnosis, (3) treatment, and (4) post-treatment and survivorship. Research in the past ten years has shown that while the biology of prostate cancer is similar regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, the psychosocial needs of gay, bisexual, and transgender persons are quite different from those of their straight peers. In this chapter we describe a comprehensive care model for GBM, TGW, and others with diverse sexual and gender identities at risk for prostate cancer; the model includes these four phases and was informed by a national survey of gay prostate cancer survivors that we conducted. It is our hope that this model of prostate cancer care can be used as a foundation for both clinicians and GBM and TGW patients in understanding and addressing some of the unique needs at each stage of the prostate cancer care process.