COMING SOON: Sex - Cancer - Ireland

The Sex - Cancer - Ireland (SCI) online resource aims to improve the sexual health and wellbeing of cancer patients and survivors in Ireland. Ireland has an unhealthy relationship with sexual pleasure and communication. This leaves many people without access to evidence-based resources on sexual wellbeing. Research has shown the importance of sexual satisfaction to overall health and happiness, and it is well-documented that the impact of cancer on sexual relationships can be difficult to navigate.

Unfortunately, Irish cancer patients receive little to no support around their sexual health, and their many questions on how to deal with e.g. cancer treatment effects, body image issues, relationship issues and more, are left unanswered. By bringing the most common queries of Ireland-based cancer patients and survivors to a new website, and displaying responses from Ireland-based medical professionals, the SCI project hopes to empower people to be sexually healthier and happier!

What is the value of this project?
By centering the perspectives of patients and survivors, SCI will break down sexual stigma in a public, online resource. Including insights from medical experts ensures evidence-based information for the website users. By using focus groups, visually engaging web design, and a straightforward Q & A format, the resource will be relevant, accessible and engaging for users.

Who is working on this project?
I (Olivia Teahan) am organising the project. I decided to do this following my work in sexual health promotion and cancer awareness. Furthermore during my Masters in Health Promotion, the crossover of cancer, sex and communication became apparent in my research. Several cancer support centres and medical experts across Ireland have agreed to participate in the project. They are conscious of the urgent need for a resource like this and the eagerness of patients for support and recognition of sexual issues. Medical experts contributing to the project include those from physiotherapy, psychotherapy, sexology, sex education, oncology and cancer care. Queries/topics for the Q & A will be decided during focus groups, populated by cancer patients and survivors.

What needs to be done?
- I will do a call-out for cancer patients and survivors who would like to participate in an online focus group.
- I will organise and run focus groups to establish what they want out of the SCI resource.
- I will bring the selection of topics/queries to the medical experts, and collate their feedback.
- Once all topics have been established and responded to, I will design the website and upload the Q & As, and include links to international resources.
- I will do multimedia promotion of the resource.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING THIS PROJECT? PLEASE GET IN TOUCH BELOW!