Man Cancer Sex is an accessible guide that explores the many ways cancer can affect male sexuality and sexual functioning. The book begins with a nice discussion on male sexuality and the social expectation for men to be virile with ravenous sexual appetites. When cancer diagnosis occurs, it can drastically alter self-perception and play on these ideas about masculinity. Dr. Katz does a nice job of demonstrating that male sexuality is as complex as female sexuality, and that men face equally as many emotional and psychological challenges in addition to the physical effects of cancer. 
 
Drawing from 11 different real-life examples of men living with different types of cancer, Man Cancer Sex explores a wide range of issues including libido, pain with orgasm, body image, depression, incontinence, as well as terminal illness. Dr. Katz also devotes a chapter to exploring the issues unique to gay men with cancer and the sexual issues a female partner of a patient with cancer may encounter. Each chapter includes informational boxes in which Dr. Katz explains the particulars of managing symptoms, strategies for communicating with partners, and discusses the emotional and physical dimensions of sexual side effects. You will also find take-away points throughout each chapter that summarize the information and provide practical advice. The book concludes with an index of resources for further reading. 
 
While the temptation is to treat the cancer quickly and move on with life is great, it is often necessary as a patient to ask questions about the short and long-term side effects of treatments as they relate to sexuality and sexual functioning. This book includes many useful strategies and questions to consider for individuals traveling through cancer diagnosis, treatment, remission, and navigating through the healthcare system. Chapter 4 on erectile functioning offers particularly valuable insight on nerve-sparing surgery for prostate cancer and penile rehabilitation. Asking for a referral to a sexual medicine specialist may also save stress down the road, and ease the recovery process. 
 
Like Woman Cancer Sex, this book is recommended for men of all ages working through their own cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery as well as partners of men living with cancer and cancer survivors. It's also a great choice for sex counselors and other healthcare providers for the insight it lends to the very unique experiences of their patients.

Author: Anne Katz, RN, PhD

Length: 169 pages

Published in: 2009