There is no cost to attend, and all interested individuals are invited to participate. Continuing education credit will be available.

This session will only be held at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences. An online option will not be available. 

LEARN MORE.

EDUCATIONAL NEED
 

Sexual dysfunction is a prevalent yet frequently overlooked consequence of cancer treatment, affecting a significant portion of both male and female patients. Studies report that up to 90% of women and 40–85% of men with cancer experience challenges related to sexual health, including low libido, erectile dysfunction, genitourinary symptoms of menopause, painful intercourse, hypogonadism, and body image concerns. These issues can have profound impacts on patients’ quality of life, emotional well-being, and intimate relationships. Despite these realities, many oncology professionals and other healthcare providers report feeling underprepared to address sexual health concerns in clinical practice. Barriers include limited training, discomfort with the topic, time constraints, and uncertainty about appropriate management or referral options. Furthermore, a lack of standardized approaches to discussing sexuality in cancer care can lead to inconsistent support for patients across care settings.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Recognize what sexual health means in the context of cancer care.
• Discuss the impact cancer can have on intimacy and relationships.
• Identify the barriers providers face in addressing sexual health.
• Explore providers' roles in addressing sexual health with their patients.
• Practice using the "30-second message" to make the conversation about sexual health easier to initiate with patients.

SPEAKER

Erin Sullivan-Wagner
Executive Director, After Cancer, Inc.