Precarious Bodies and Masculinities: The Experience of Exercise During Hormonal Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Abstract

This study focuses on ageing men treated for prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) linked to a spectrum of side effects, sometimes understood as emasculating. To understand the consequences of ADT and how to counteract side effects related to masculinity, interviews were conducted with treated men participating in an exercise programme. The aim was to analyse how participants experienced and embodied the exercise programme in relation to ageing, illness and masculinity. Findings show that the men experience their bodies as changing, loosing habituated abilities. The beginning of the programme evoked feelings of precarious bodies, whereas further along these feelings evolved into those of bodily remedy. Participation was seen as opportunity to meet other men in the same situation and created a sense of fellowship.