Survey finds prostate cancer care misses gay and bisexual men

A new survey from The Focal Therapy Clinic says many gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer felt their sexuality was overlooked during diagnosis, treatment discussions and recovery. The findings point to gaps in counseling and information at a time when prostate cancer rates are expected to rise 14% over the next decade.

Why it matters: - The survey suggests prostate cancer care is not consistently tailored to gay and bisexual patients. - That gap can affect treatment choices, sexual health, mental health and relationship outcomes. - Prostate cancer incidence is projected to rise 14% over the next decade, making patient-centered counseling more important.

What happened: - The Focal Therapy Clinic surveyed gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer in the United Kingdom. - Most respondents said doctors did not adequately consider their sexual identity across diagnosis, treatment and recovery. - The clinic highlighted the findings on July 27, 2026.

The details: - 71% of respondents said healthcare professionals were not sensitive and understanding of their sexuality at diagnosis. - 63% said doctors did not understand their sexual identity and needs when discussing side effects. - 53% said doctors were not sensitive when discussing recovery and ongoing care. - 53% gave the same response when discussing treatment options. - 73% of men diagnosed in the last 1-5 years reported a lack of sexual sensitivity at diagnosis, compared with 67% diagnosed 6-10 years ago. - 39% said changes in ability to engage in anal intercourse were a side effect of treatment. - 37% reported erectile dysfunction that affected sexual activity. - 35% reported altered orgasmic function or sexual pleasure. - 34% reported difficulty maintaining intimacy or sexual communication. - 31% reported reduced sexual confidence or libido. - 1% reported none of those side effects. - 25% said they were not adequately prepared for treatment side effects. - 31% said treatment caused issues in their relationship because of poor planning. - 29% said treatment or recovery contributed to depression, anxiety or other mental health problems. - 25% said they chose a treatment plan that was not right for them. - 25% said they had to find information elsewhere. - 21% said they did not feel comfortable raising concerns with their doctor. - 19% said they felt embarrassed, isolated or unable to discuss their experiences with a partner, friends or family. - Married men were more likely to report relationship issues from poor planning, at 42%, than unmarried men in active relationships, at 15%.

Between the lines: - The findings point to a counseling gap, not just a medical one. - Alan Doherty, consultant urologist at The Focal Therapy Clinic, said clinicians often lack the time or experience to fully explain treatment trade-offs. - Doherty said discussions often emphasize cure, while quality of life can be just as critical. - Doherty also said sexual function should not be assumed unimportant if a patient does not raise the topic. - The clinic argued that better recognition of sexual context could change how patients understand options such as HIFU, which it said preserves sexual function in 90%+ of patients.

What's next: - Doherty said men need clearer decisions based on cancer type, cancer extent, treatment choice, baseline sexual function and expected consistency of outcomes. - The survey suggests doctors may need more training and more tailored materials for gay and bisexual patients. - The pressure to improve care may grow as more men face prostate cancer over the next decade.

The bottom line: - The survey says prostate cancer care still leaves many gay and bisexual men feeling unseen, poorly informed and under-supported.