Prostate cancer and impotence

Because prostate cancer and impotence occur in a part of a man’s body associated with sexuality, the impact on masculinity is an important consideration. Researchers have suggested that a pattern of hegemonic masculinity exists in U.S. society that relates to how men approach health problems. The emphasis on machismo results in men ignoring health problems and resisting visits to the doctor because admitting weakness can be seen as a threat to their identity. Men’s bodies are seen as instruments that they use to prove to themselves and others that their masculinity is intact. Sexual activity becomes a way of confirming manhood. Prostate cancer and impotence are threats to male masculinity and sexuality that can have psychosocial implications resulting in a loss of selfesteem and sexual self-concept.

There are two medical benchmarks concerning prostate cancer and impotence, which involve the medical community’s attempt to involve the media in a discourse about these issues. Since 1966, the Prostate Cancer Initiative (PCI), a national program developed by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), has served clinical research, patient care, and public education needs (ACS, 2001). One such effort began in 1997. CRI, along with US TOO, the largest men’s cancer organization in the world, launched an educational initiative to educate men about the detection, diagnosis, and management of the disease. The Prostate Review Group, composed of more than 100 members of the prostate cancer communities, also met in 1997 to advance research and education of the disease.

The second noteworthy development in male-related health issues came in 1998 with the release of the drug sildenafil citrate, aimed at assisting the problem of impotence. Sildenafil citrate is best known by its brand name, Viagra[R]. The drug was originally designed to treat angina until patients reported an increase in erections as a side-effect. The drug’s producer, Pfizer Corporation, then re-released and branded it as a possible treatment for erectile dysfunction. Pfizer has claimed the drug makes it possible for men with impotence to have an erection when aroused. The erection occurs because Viagra[R] widens dilated penile blood vessels. Immediately after the Food and Drug Administration approved Viagra[R], public interest and curiosity about its ability fueled the demand for the drug. Almost three million prescriptions were written for Viagra[R] in the first three months of its release.