(Dis)embodying gender and sexuality in testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15–34. Although post-treatment prognosis is generally very good, the impact on sexuality, gender identity and fertility is amplified in this age group. A Canadian study of men with testicular cancer explores how men (re)consider questions of se...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Social science & medicine (1982) Vol. 58; no. 9; pp. 1597 - 1607
Main Authors:	Gurevich, Maria, Bishop, Scott, Bower, Jo, Malka, Monika, Nyhof-Young, Joyce
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2004 Elsevier Pergamon Press Inc
Series:	Social Science & Medicine
Subjects:	Academic Medical Centers Adolescent Adult Biological and medical sciences Body Image Canada Cancer Cancer Care Facilities Discourse Discourses Embodiment Fertility Gender Gender Identity Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics Health Humans Interviews as Topic Male Male genital diseases Males Masculinity Medical sciences Medicine Men Middle Aged Narration Reproductive system Self Concept Self image Sex Role Identity Sexuality Sexuality - psychology Social sciences Testicular cancer Testicular cancer Discourse Embodiment Masculinity Sexuality Testicular Neoplasms - diagnosis Testicular Neoplasms - psychology Testicular Neoplasms - therapy Toronto, Ontario Tumors Young men Canada North America America Discourse Masculinity Embodiment Testicular cancer Sexuality Human Orchidectomy Sex Male Sexual differentiation disorder Malignant tumor Gender identity Testicle Male genital system Young adult Complication
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Summary:	Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15–34. Although post-treatment prognosis is generally very good, the impact on sexuality, gender identity and fertility is amplified in this age group. A Canadian study of men with testicular cancer explores how men (re)consider questions of sexuality and gender post diagnosis and treatment. Semi-structured interviews with 40 men were analyzed using thematic decomposition, an analytic technique that combines discursive approaches with thematic analysis. The theoretical framework that guides this work relies on material discursive approaches. From an analytic stance, this perspective is concerned with a focus on the ways in which both subjectivity and the body are experienced and constituted in language. In particular, we are concerned with how these men interpret the (altered) male body as a locus of gender signification and gender disruption. Men in this study construct testicular cancer as alternately inhibiting and enhancing masculinity and sexuality. Disruption interpolates with potentiality. A discourse of precarious masculinity predominates these accounts, wherein the link between anatomy and masculinity is simultaneously asserted and disavowed. Constructions of anatomical essentialism (i.e., testicular integrity is equated with masculinity) are juxtaposed against construals of anatomical superfluousness (i.e., other sites of sexuality and male identity are emphasized as being more central).
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-1 ObjectType-Feature-2
ISSN:	0277-9536 1873-5347
DOI:	10.1016/S0277-9536(03)00371-X