Cancer-Related Masculine Threat in Young Adult Testicular Cancer Survivors: Associations With Biobehavioral Symptoms

Objective: Cancer and cancer treatment have been experienced by some men as a threat to masculinity. Cancer-related masculine threat (CMT) reflects perceptions that cancer and cancer-related change are inconsistent with one's ideal masculine gender role. This secondary analysis examines associations of CMT with symptoms of sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression, as well as levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers in young adult men after testicular cancer. Methods: Forty-four young adult men (M age = 28 years; SD = 4.1) who had undergone chemotherapy for testicular cancer within the prior 2 years completed questionnaires and provided blood samples for immune assessments. Patient-reported measures assessed CMT, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sleep quality. Results: CMT was significantly associated with poorer sleep quality (B = 0.50, p < 0.01), and more symptoms of depression (B = 0.47, p < 0.01) and anxiety (B = 0.54, p < 0.01). CMT was also related to higher circulating levels of IL-6 (B = 0.47, p < 0.05) and CRP (B = 0.33, p < 0.05), but not significantly associated with sTNF alpha RII. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence for the associations of CMT and biobehavioral symptoms after treatment for testicular cancer. The identification of modifiable processes underpinning such symptoms is crucial to the design of behavioral interventions to reduce and manage persistent symptoms.