Masculinity & Medicine: Men, Sex, and Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men—and one of the easiest to ignore.In this episode of Unzipping Taboos, we sit down with Dr. Arthur Burnett—Professor of Urology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Patrick C. Walsh Professor of Urology, and Director of the Male Consultation Clinic at Johns Hopkins Hospital—to unpack what men’s health conversations too often avoid.From what the prostate actually does to why prostate cancer can develop silently, we get clear on what every man—and everyone who loves one—should know.We talk about the reality that “no symptoms” doesn’t mean “no risk,” and why waiting for something to feel wrong can come at a cost. Dr. Burnett walks us through screening, who’s most at risk, and why factors like family history and race—particularly for Black men—matter more than many people realize.And this conversation goes beyond the clinical.We get into what happens after diagnosis—the treatment decisions, the impact on sexual function, and the often unspoken emotional weight men carry when their sense of identity and masculinity feels tied to their bodies in new ways. From medications to devices to surgical options, we unzip what support and recovery can actually look like—and why silence and stigma only make it harder.This is a candid conversation about advocacy, awareness, and showing up for your health before something forces you to.Because when it comes to prostate cancer, what you don’t feel can still matter—and what you don’t talk about can cost you.If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here: ⁠⁠Show suggestions