Background: Cancer and its treatment can significantly affect sexual wellbeing. Although oncosexology is increasingly recognised, sexual concerns remain inconsistently addressed across cancer care. Contributing factors include limited clinician confidence and knowledge, and patients’ and partners’ perceived lack of permission to raise sexual health concerns. This submission builds on a poster presented at COSA in 2025.
Objective/Purpose: The Loddon Mallee Integrated Cancer Service (LMICS) Cancer and Sexual Wellbeing Community of Practice (CoP) was established to improve regional cancer clinicians’ confidence and health literacy by providing access to sexologists and structured case-based discussion. The pilot commenced in May 2025 and comprised five sessions.
Methodology: The CoP aimed to normalise discussion of sexuality in cancer care through input from accredited clinicians external or adjacent to cancer services, alongside local case studies. Attendee outcomes were evaluated in June 2026 using a post-program survey incorporating Likert-scale items and free-text responses.
Results: Nineteen attendees completed the survey; more than 65% attended three or more sessions, and at least 85% identified as working in regional or rural settings. Nearly 90% reported improved knowledge, and more than 80% reported improved confidence. In contrast, just over 40% reported observable patient-level changes, with most respondents indicating a neutral response.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that the CoP improved clinician knowledge, confidence and professional networks. However, translation into measurable patient outcomes remains a key challenge. Continued CoP delivery, supported by dedicated clinical pathways and access to evidence-based oncosexual interventions, may strengthen sexual wellbeing care for regional cancer patients.