November Managing Survivorship Webinar: Sexual Health and Prostate Cancer

On November 13, 2024, PHEN held a Managing Survivorship Webinar called Take Control and Reclaim Your Sexual Vitality After Prostate Cancer! The speakers included PHEN Director of Clinical Trials and Patient Education Dr. Keith Crawford and Dr. Arthur Burnett, a urologist and Professor at Johns Hopkins University.

First, Dr. Crawford outlined how prostate cancer affects Black men at higher rates and then defined key sexual health terms including libido, erectile dysfunction (ED), and testosterone replacement theory.

Dr. Arthur Burnett’s presentation initially focused on sexual dysfunctions, such as hypoactive sexual desire, penile deformity, and erectile dysfunction. He went over how ED has been a common side effect from radical prostatectomy surgeries, but cavernous nerve-sparing surgical methods have decreased this issue by 15 to 40 percent.

Both Dr. Crawford and Dr. Burnett detailed different therapies and techniques for managing erectile dysfunction including oral medications (statins, angiotensin receptor blockers, etc.), mechanical devices, testosterone replacement, and surgical prostheses. They also emphasized the importance of psychological and sexual counseling for couples facing sexual health issues during and after prostate cancer treatment.

Lastly, Dr. Crawford answered audience questions and explained the importance of clinical trial participation among Black men. The audience members also took a survey, which showed that 77% of attendees were very satisfied with the webinar and 73% were better informed about the mental health impact on sexual functioning and the need for mental health support.