This self-access class takes a biopsychosocial approach to sexual dysfunction as a result of cancer diagnosis and treatment through an LGBT+ lens. Examining existing tools and approaches to sexual practice, the session will explore scenarios and case studies of LGBT+ patients and their sexual goals and priorities when living with and beyond cancer.
Topics covered include: diagnostic tools, anal sex, body image, gender affirming care, public and group sex, and consensual non-monogamy. As well as patients’ sexual function, priorities, and identities.
The class is highly relevant as existing models of sexual and relationship dysfunction majoritively focus on heterosexual penis-in-vagina sex and partner dynamics. This leaves patients within the LGBT+ community feeling overlooked and underserved in their psychosexual needs.
This session recording is part of a series which includes Sex & Cancer: Erectile and Ejaculatory Changes and Sex & Cancer: Sexual Pain.
**This self-access is a recording of a 3-hour live session which took place in November 2024. All of the discussions that took place during the live session have been removed from the recording, following editing of group discussions and study sessions the recording is approximately 2-hours.
The seminar will include:
- Exploring diagnostic tools and psychosexual models
- Prostate cancer impacts on sexual activity and identity
- Anal sex – pain, dilation, and sex after cancer treatment
- Body image, identity, and treatment goals
- Dilation and vaginal health
- Navigating multiple partners with an impaired immune system
- Harm and risk reduction including chemsex
- Depathologizing asexuality
About the Trainer
Stewart O’Callaghan is founder and CEO of the UK’s LGBTIQ+ cancer charity, OUTpatients.
Stuart has worked directly with LGBTIQ+ patients facing sexual dysfunction or changes to sexual activity as a result of cancer treatment.
Stuart’s work has also included advising guidelines, delivering talks, creating the Sex and Cancer Info Hub (outpatients.org.uk/sex), and authoring various short pieces about psychosexual wellness in LGBTIQ+ cancer patients.
