Through 4 interactive self-paced modules, this course has been designed to deepen your understanding of the impacts of cancer and cancer treatment on sexual health, and to build your confidence, comfort, knowledge and skills to assess and support people experiencing changes in sexual health. AI simulated conversations are integrated after Modules 3 and 4, giving you the chance to practise and reflect on your knowledge and communication skills through conversations with a virtual patient.
What you’ll work through
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1
Module Sexual Function, Pleasure and Intimacy -
2
Module Effects of Cancer and Cancer Treatment on Sexual Health -
3
Module Initiating Conversations about Sexual Health -
→
Activity 1 · Simulated Conversation Initiating a conversation about sexual health -
4
Module Strategies to Prevent and Address Sexual Health Concerns -
+
Companion Guide Practical Tips for the Management of Sexual Health Concerns -
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Activity 2 · Simulated Conversation Discussing sexual health concerns and providing strategies
Everything you need to start the conversation — and to know what to do when concerns are raised.
During this course, you’ll have the opportunity to
Explore the core concepts of sexual health, sexual function, intimacy and pleasure, including common causes of sexual function changes linked to life stage, environment, stressors and interpersonal dynamics.
Learn how cancer and cancer treatment impact sexual health, sexual function, intimacy and pleasure, and understand the extent to which treatment-related effects can affect quality of life.
Explore the beliefs, assumptions and misconceptions that exist about sexual health and how they may influence your clinical practice, and learn how to prepare for these conversations, including what helps or hinders them.
Learn about available strategies and interventions for addressing sexual health concerns related to cancer and cancer treatment, including a practical guide to managing sexual health concerns in Module 4.
Lived experiences of people are woven throughout the modules. Content is broadly applicable across tumour groups and patient backgrounds, including priority populations not specifically addressed in this course.
Content warning
This course contains information about sexual health, sexual behaviours, sexual function, intimate relationships, and body changes. Content may be sensitive to some individuals. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to approach this material with empathy and an openness to perspectives, bodies, relationships, and experiences that may differ from their own or dominant clinical norms. Learning about cancer and cancer treatments may connect you with personal experiences of cancer, either for yourself or somebody close to you, which may be emotionally challenging or distressing. If this occurs, we encourage you to engage with the material at your own pace, step away if needed, and consider seeking support from a service available to you.
Acknowledgements
This program received funding through the Cancer Patient Support Program — an Australian Government Initiative. The views expressed in this course do not represent those of the Australian Government.
This course is part of a larger education program — the Sexual Function Intimacy Concerns after Cancer (SexFICC) program.
Program Leads
Prof. Claudia Rutherford, Co-Lead Investigator, The University of Sydney Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery
Prof. Kate White, Co-Lead Investigator, The University of Sydney Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery
Program Manager
Ms. Mary Hayes, The University of Sydney Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery
Program Team
Dr. Hollie Speer, The University of Sydney Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery
Dr. Sharon de Graves, Senior Program Manager, Cancer Nursing, VCCC Alliance
Ms. Kathe Holmes, Project Manager, Cancer Nursing, VCCC Alliance
Ms. Caitlin Broomhall, Program Coordinator, Cancer Nursing VCCC Alliance
Ms. Michelle Barrett, Director of Education, VCCC Alliance
Ms. Kyleigh Smith, Associate Director of Education, VCCC Alliance
Prof. Jacqueline Bloomfield, Professor of Nursing Education, The University of Sydney Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery
Dr. Horas Wong, Nursing Education, The University of Sydney Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery
Dr. Linda Tauobe, Interprofessional Learning Theme Academic Lead, Sydney Medical Program, The University of Sydney
Ms. Shannon Philp, Senior Lecturer & Nurse Practitioner, The University of Sydney, Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery
Mr. Kevin Ancog, Urology CNC, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney
Dr. Tamara Power, Senior Lecturer Chronic Conditions, The University of Sydney Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery
Donna Cowan, Director, Program Implementation (Cancer), Movember Institute of Men’s Health
Sarah Weller, Global Director (Prostate Cancer), Movember Institute of Men’s Health
Education Development and Design Team, VCCC Alliance
Gabrielle Vigar, Nurse Unit Manager, Radiation Oncology/ Cancer Outpatients, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, South Australia, Australia
Dr. Isabel White, Psychosexual Therapist, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.
Bec Cerio, St. Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sheena Lagat, Continence & UroGynae Clinical Nurse Consultant, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Niamh Mulvey, Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant, Chris O Brien Lifehouse, New South Wales, Australia
Rachel Byrne
Dr. Linda Kirkman, sexologist and psychosexual therapist
Freya Seale, Acute Leukaemia & Myeloid Malignancies Clinical Nurse Consultant | RPAH Haematology
Kristina Whelan, Cellular Therapies Long-Term Follow-up Clinical Nurse Consultant, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney.
Dr. Katharine Hodgkinson, (MAPS) Clinical Psychologist/Director HeadwayHealth Psychology Services
Dr. Vivek Bhadri, Adolescent Medical Oncologist, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse and Westmead Hospital, NSW
Dr. Karen Freilich, (MBBS BMedSc DRANZCOG MScRSHR FRACGP FECSM), Sexual Medicine & Therapy Clinic, Monash Health
Diane Davey, (she/her), Health Service Leader and Cancer Nurse. Diane has experience in oncology service delivery and a particular interest in patient-centred care, including intimacy and sexual health.
*John Close, Somatic Sex Therapist and Counsellor- Body Curious
Lisa Carson, (she/her), McGrath Early Breast Cancer Nurse
St. Vincent’s NELUNE Men’s Health Centre
*Has contributed as both a healthcare professional and person with lived experience of cancer.
John Leung, Sydney NSW, Oesophageal Cancer
Jessada Phuntuya
Janel Manns, People with Disability AU, Disability Subject Matter Expert. With expertise in training, facilitation and project management.
Polly Seymour, NSW. Representing People with a disability, LGBTIQA+, and CALD populations.
Hayley Katzen, Stage 3C Ovarian Cancer (clear cell), regional NSW
Matt Davey (he/him), Lived Experience Consultant, VIC.
Jen, Uterine Cancer
Martine Dines, Breast Cancer, 2021
Shanna Watson, (they/them). Treated for early stage 3 Breast Cancer. 5 years into preventative treatment at time of course development. Founder of Trans & Gender Diverse Cancer Support Network.
Carly Findlay OAM. Pronouns are (she/her). Carly has a rare severe skin condition called Ichthyosis and is a cancer survivor.
Sam Muglia, People With Disability, Australia
Russ Gluyas, Consumer
Melissa Booton, Queensland
Touching Base Inc, A charitable organisation bringing together sex workers and people with disability.
Members of the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) Community Engagement Program
Terence Humphreys, (he/him), LGBTIQ+ Health Australia
We also want to acknowledge several more contributors with lived experience of cancer who chose to remain anonymous.
Resource details
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