Perceptions of masculinity and self-image in adolescent and young adult testicular cancer survivors: implications for romantic and sexual relationships.
OBJECTIVE
To examine adolescent and young adult (AYA) testicular cancer survivors' subjective understanding of the impact of cancer in adolescence and young adulthood, with a particular emphasis on romantic and sexual relationships.


METHODS
Twenty-one AYA testicular cancer survivors, aged 18 to 34 years, were recruited from outpatient testicular cancer follow-up clinics and completed a semi-structured qualitative interview that assessed the impact of testicular cancer on their romantic and sexual relationships.


RESULTS
Four themes were identified that reflected survivors' understanding of the impact of cancer in adolescence and young adulthood: (1) embarrassment leads to delays in care-seeking, (2) testicular cancer makes you feel different from others, (3) being different from others makes you damaged goods, and (4) cancer disclosure is difficult.


CONCLUSIONS
As these themes represent important components of being in a romantic/sexual relationship, either currently or in the future, AYA testicular cancer survivors would benefit from the development of tailored interventions focused on improving these relevant domains.
Carpentier
Melissa Y
MY
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. myc@iupui.edu
Fortenberry
J Dennis
JD
Ott
Mary A
MA
Brames
Mary J
MJ
Einhorn
Lawrence H
LH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D057228:Masculinity; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult