Grant: Doctoral Re. Award - PA: Sex, Gender and Intersectionality in Health Research

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in Canada. One of the primary treatments is a prostatectomy, a surgical procedure that helps control the spread of cancer. While this treatment can be life-extending, it often leads to significant physical, emotional, and social challenges for men. Many men experience changes in their sense of masculinity, identity, independence, and sexual functioning post-prostatectomy. These changes can be difficult to talk about, especially in a culture that values men's strength, stoicism, and self-reliance. Such masculine norms often discourage men from expressing vulnerability or seeking help. Post-prostatectomy, men frequently face mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and feelings of shame or inadequacy. These challenges can affect their intimate partner relationships and limit their ability to access peer support. In addition, healthcare providers typically focus on physical recovery and cancer surveillance, often overlooking men's emotional and relational needs. This ongoing problem leaves many men feeling unsupported in key aspects of their wellbeing. The proposed research will explore men's experiences after prostatectomy by examining closely to their stories through in-depth interviews and narrative analysis. The aim of the study is to examine how gender expectations shape men's mental health, relationships, use of support networks, and interactions with healthcare providers. By centring men's voices, the research aims to better understand how masculinities influence men's recovery and engagement with healthcare services. The findings will inform the development of gender-sensitive healthcare programs tailored to support men's emotional and social wellbeing post- prostatectomy, addressing a critical gap in current prostate cancer care. Ultimately, this research seeks to improve quality of life and psychosocial outcomes for men living with prostate cancer.