This valuable book for the partners of prostate cancer patients gives nuts-and-bolts information about the disease, the tests and treatments for it, and the changes it causes in relationships. Katz, a nurse who works with cancer patients, is an empathic guide who uses the stories of gay and straight couples to illustrate her points (e.g., before he gets his diagnosis, one man gets up five times a night to go to the bathroom, becoming a 'waterworks' that leaves his wife sleepless and grumpy). Despite going through a lot of angst to choose a treatment, most men do not regret their decisions. Still, their partners may disagree with their priorities. For example, sometimes a man may place greater importance on sexual functioning than his partner, 'who would trade sex for his life any day.' Katz provides important tips about why couples should attend all doctor appointments together and about how different treatment options appeal to different personalities. Her chapter on end-of-life care is one she hopes her audience doesn't need. Sensitively written and packed with information. * Booklist *
Katz tackles this intimate and sensitive subject with the same professionalism and compassion that appear in her four previous books about cancer. And like those earlier titles, her reason for writing Prostate Cancer and the Man You Love, she says, is simple: to help those dealing with prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery not just survive, but thrive....Throughout, Katz mixes firsthand stories with her straightforward, well-thought-out and well-composed prose....for those willing to invest in the time to read and digest this comprehensive reference, Prostate Cancer and the Man You Love provides loving advice, comfort, and insight that any couple facing the disease will benefit from receiving. * Foreword Reviews *
Anne Katz is a widely respected and internationally recognized authority on the subject of sex and cancer in women and men. Of all her many excellent books on this topic, this one may be her finest. With a sure hand, compassionate heart, and profound wisdom based on decades of experience, she leads the reader through every stage of dealing with the diagnosis and making informed treatment choices. Her depth of knowledge about the disease and available therapies is impressive, and her approach is realistic and pragmatic. While she doesn't mince words or tiptoe around the difficult truths, she maintains a compassionate, basically optimistic attitude. She also combines a gentle sense of humor with wry observations about ironies that are inherent in interacting with the medical establishment or reading between the lines when interpreting information provided by the pharmaceutical industry. Prostate cancer is definitely a couple's disease. One of the many features that differentiates this book from others in the field is that it is written for the partner of the patient, not just for the patient himself. There are dozens of books that provide medical facts and statistics about the disease but in this book, Dr. Katz also addresses the quality-of-life consequences of difficult decisions a couple will have to make and empathically offers guidance on dealing with the inevitable emotional stressors and avoiding typical communication pitfalls. ... This empowering book should be required reading for couples who have been plunged into the world of prostate cancer. It is written in a down-to-earth, warm, and supportive style and makes a valuable contribution to the reader's understanding of the disease. According to the author, the primary intended audience for this book is the partner of the cancer patient but in my opinion, it is also invaluable for the patient himself. I advise both members of a couple to read the book together. This book may also be of interest to any other members of the patient's health care team who wants to understand more about the nonmedical aspects of the experience. Another noteworthy feature of the book is the comprehensive coverage of the issues and the thorough documentation of facts. The author provides an index plus two bibliographies-a thorough alphabetical listing of authors (there are more than eight pages of references) and a listing of references relevant to each chapter, which makes it convenient to read further on individual topics. * Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy *
Anne Katz has done it again! With her skilled writing and knack for description, Dr Katz has managed to discuss a very delicate subject with professionalism and compassion. She has solidified her role as a leader in the field of human sexuality and continues to address the sensitive issues of sexuality and how it affects those living with cancer. -- Michael Krychman, M.D., Executive Director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health, Associate Clinical Professor USC, Associate Clinical Professor UCI, AASECT Certified Sexual Counselor
