Men, Body Image, and Cancer

Abstract: Despite a growing body of literature around men’s bodies and body image, there is a paucity of research surrounding men and body image within the cancer literature. This chapter considers a range of issues including men’s body image and masculinities as well as illness-induced body dissatisfaction in men. It draws on literature and research to identify key issues so that health professionals can be informed about particular body image issues relevant to male cancer patients. The way in which the chapter is set out is designed to guide the reader through information that will highlight the broader issues facing men with respect to body image. It provides evidence to emphasize the need to understand men and their bodies in contemporary Western society generally and in the context of illness such as prostate cancer, which is the leading gender-specific cancer in men.