The impact of prostate cancer is described from a biopsychosocial perspecti
ve. Illness-related demands or stressors, such as symptoms, side effects, a
nd overall life disruption related to diagnosis, staging, monitoring, and t
reatments are addressed. Although a dearth of psychosocial research exists
in this field, there are indications that the sexual sphere-apart from urin
ary functioning-is primarily affected. Although impotence, urinary obstruct
ion, and incontinence are among the most common complaints from early stage
disease on, no statistics have appealed about the prevalence of psychologi
cal morbidity. The authors derive salient issues from available evidence; d
iscuss implications for practice, such as the role of and need for psychoso
cial interventions (e.g., psychoeducation and coping-skills training); and
note that age-specific factors may influence the impact of stress associate
d with the disease.