Narratives of Prostate Cancer: The Social Triad

Through personal portraits, in this chapter we will acquaint the reader with three people who have contributed their experiences to this book. These three individuals represent a social triad of relevance for understanding the impact that prostate cancer can have on those affected by it. In our first case, we meet Albert, who was surgically operated on for prostate cancer and is trying to deal with the side effects of treatment, as well as his otherwise ageing body. Next, we meet Svea, who is married to a man treated for prostate cancer. Her narrative represents the partner perspective of prostate cancer. Finally, our third case is Judith who works as a sexual counsellor and nurse specialised in lower urinary tract symptoms (urotherapist). She described her work with patients and their partners, and also spoke about how the sometimes delicate questions touched upon in work can spill over and affect her on a personal level. These three extended portraits are intended to introduce some central themes of the book, which will then be developed more rigorously throughout the remaining chapters.