Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Sex Roles, cilt.91, sa.7, 2025 (SSCI)
Male breast cancer is a rare and gender-atypical illness that presents unique psychosocial challenges for affected men. This qualitative study explores how Turkish male breast cancer survivors understand and cope with changes in masculinity, gender roles, and sexual functioning following diagnosis and treatment. In-depth interviews were conducted with eight men who had undergone mastectomy, and data were analyzed using a content-driven thematic approach. Eight key themes emerged, revealing a non-linear trajectory of bodily disruption, emotional distress, stigma, and identity renegotiation. Participants reported struggling with diagnostic delays, altered body image, silence around sexuality, and reluctance to seek psychological support, often due to cultural norms equating emotional vulnerability with weakness. Spouses were identified as the primary source of emotional support, highlighting gendered patterns of caregiving. The findings point to significant gaps in psychosocial care, as well as the need for gender-sensitive interventions that address the emotional and relational impacts of male breast cancer. This study provides a culturally grounded, non-Western perspective on how men experience a feminized illness and contributes to more inclusive models of psycho-oncological care. Findings may inform clinicians, counselors, educators, and policymakers seeking to improve support services for men affected by gender-nonconforming health conditions.