Sexual Health Specialist Course
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Target Audience
Health care professionals.
Educational Need
Sexual health concerns are common consequences of cancer and cancer treatment but remain inconsistently addressed in routine oncology care. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis involving 5,483 women with cancer estimated the prevalence of sexual dysfunction at 66% (International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine). Recent research also identifies persistent unmet needs related to sexual health information, support, and communication among patients and cancer survivors.
Patients report wanting healthcare professionals to initiate sexual health conversations rather than placing responsibility on the patient to raise these concerns. However, healthcare professionals may lack the knowledge, confidence, communication skills, and resources needed to routinely address sexual health. A 2024 systematic review involving more than 2,000 healthcare professionals found that although most considered sexual health care part of their professional responsibility, it was not adequately addressed in practice (Journal of Clinical Nursing). The review identified lack of knowledge as a significant barrier.
Advanced practice providers need education to develop the knowledge and competence to incorporate sexual health into cancer care. APPs need practical strategies to normalize and initiate conversations, recognize common sexual health effects of cancer and its treatment, use appropriate screening and assessment tools, address concerns within their scope of practice, and identify appropriate referral resources. Addressing these gaps can help integrate sexual health into comprehensive, patient-centered cancer care and improve attention to an important quality-of-life concern.
Description
This training program prepares advanced practice providers (APPs) to address sexual health as an important component of comprehensive cancer care. Participants will gain practical strategies for initiating and normalizing sexual health conversations with patients before, during, and after cancer treatment. The course will introduce tools for evaluating and screening for treatment-related sexual health concerns, approaches for managing concerns that can be addressed within the clinical setting, and strategies for determining when referral to another healthcare professional is appropriate. Emphasis will be placed on strengthening communication between patients and their care teams and integrating sexual health assessment and management into routine, patient-centered cancer care.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the six components of a 30-second message designed to normalize sexual health conversations following a cancer diagnosis.
- Identify three common sexual health side effects associated with cancer or cancer treatment.
- Identify two healthcare specialists who may serve as appropriate referral resources for patients experiencing cancer-related sexual health concerns.
Questions
For any comments or questions, please email Erin Sullivan-Wagner.

Course summary
- 14.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
- 14.25 AOA Category 2A
- 14.25 CE Contact Hour(s)
Laila Agrawal, MD
Hematologist/Oncologist, Breast Medical Oncology, Norton Healthcare
Erika Allred
Professional Voice Actor
Rodrigo Bayon, MD
Clinical Associate Professor of Otolaryngology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
Otolaryngologist, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Lauren Broschak, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
Oncology-Certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Life with Cancer
Marloe Esch, RN, BSN, OCN
Breast Care Nurse Navigator, Froedtert Hospital
Elizabeth Graf, PA-C
Physician Assistant, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Nikki Goff DNP, ARNP, RN, WHNP-BC
Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Alexandra Hill, PT, DPT, WCS, CLT-LANA
Pelvic Health and Oncology Physical Therapist, UF Health Jacksonville
Emily Hill, MD
Clinical Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
Gynecologic Oncologist, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Jordan Hill, PharmD, BCOP
Oncology Pharmacy Specialist (Breast Cancer), West Virginia University Medicine
Susan Kaliszewski, PA-C
Physician Assistant, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Veronika Kolder, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Iowa City, IA
Michele Lewis, RN
“All of Me project volunteer”
Mandy Mindin, MS, RD, CD
Oncology and Clinical Inpatient Registered Dietitian, Ascension
Ken Mitchell, MPAS, PA-C
Men’s Reproductive and Sexual Health Specialist, Arkansas Urology
Maxwell Mowitz
Program Director, One Iowa
Stacey Pawlak, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
Clinical Psychologist, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Amy Pearlman, MD
Urologist, Prime Institute
Erin Sullivan-Wagner
Executive Director, After Cancer
Emily Wentzell, PhD
Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of Iowa
Ann Wolf, ARNP
Nurse Practitioner, Program Director Breast and Plastic Surgery, Iowa City VA Health Care System
Accreditation Statements
- DO: Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (DMU) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. DMU designates this activity for a maximum of 14.25 AOA Category 2-B credits and will report CME and specialty credits commensurate with the extent of the physician’s participation in this activity.
- MD: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Iowa Medical Society (IMS) through the joint providership of Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (DMU) and After Cancer, Inc. DMU is accredited by IMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. DMU designates this enduring materials activity for a maximum of 14.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- Other healthcare professionals: This activity is designated for 14.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM.
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Educational Grants
No ineligible company provided financial support for this continuing education activity.
Disclosures
The speaker(s) will disclose if any pharmaceuticals, medical procedures, or devices discussed are investigational or unapproved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The activity director is responsible for determining educational content and selecting speakers.
Relevant to the content of this educational activity, the following individual(s) have no conflict(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
- Erika Allred – Narrator
- Rodrigo Bayon, MD – Speaker
- Lauren Broschak, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C – Planning Committee Member and Speaker
- Marloe Esch, RN, BSN, OCN – Speaker
- Nikki Goff, DNP, ARNP, RN, WHNP-BC – Speaker
- Emily Hill, MD – Speaker
- Susan Kaliszewski, PA-C – Speaker
- Veronika Kolder, MD – Planning Committee Member and Speaker
- Michele Lewis, RN – Speaker
- Mandy Mindin, MS, RD, CD – Speaker
- Ken Mitchell, MPAS, PA-C – Speaker
- Maxwell Mowitz – Speaker
- Stacey Pawlak, PhD – Speaker
- Erin Sullivan-Wagner – Activity Director and Speaker
- Emily Wentzell, PhD – Speaker
- Ann Wolf, ARNP – Speaker
Relevant to the content of this educational activity, the following individual(s) have conflict(s) with ineligible companies to disclose. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated either through peer review by individuals with no relevant financial relationships or attestation to adhere to evidence-based guidelines for clinical recommendations.
- Laila Agrawal, MD – Speaker
- Honoraria: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Breast Cancer Index – Ad Boards
- Speaker’s Bureau: Lilly
- The relationships are not relevant to the content of this educational activity.
- Elizabeth Graf, PA-C – Speaker
- Does not have a financial relationship to disclose; however, does intend to discuss off-label uses of the following commercial product(s)/device(s).
- Alexandra Hill, PT, DPT, WCS, CLT-LANA – Speaker
- Affiliate Link Partner: Intimate Rose, Ohnut, and Soul Source
- Jordan Hill, PharmD, BCOP – Speaker
- Does not have a financial relationship to disclose; however, does intend to discuss off-label uses of the following commercial product(s)/device(s).
- Amy Pearlman, MD – Speaker
- Consultant: EndoPharmaceuticals
- Grant or Research Support: Boston Scientific
- Medical Advisory Board: FirmTech
- Intends to discuss off-label uses of the following commercial product(s)/device(s).
Disclaimer
The information provided in this activity is for continuing education purposes only. It is not a substitute for a healthcare provider's independent medical judgment regarding diagnostic and treatment options for a specific patient's medical condition.
Available Credit
- 14.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
- 14.25 AOA Category 2A
- 14.25 CE Contact Hour(s)
Price
The cost to participate in this course is $675.

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