Cancer can affect intimacy, sexuality, body image, relationships, and sexual health, yet staff may be unsure how to respond or what falls within their role.
Basic Staff Training introduces intimacy-informed cancer care and prepares staff to recognize common concerns, offer appropriate first-line support, and know when additional expertise is needed.
What the training covers
Participants are introduced to the ways cancer and treatment can affect intimacy across physical, emotional, relational, and sexual areas of life.
The training also explores:
- Why patients may hesitate to raise intimacy-related concerns
- How staff can communicate that these concerns are welcome and appropriate to discuss
- Simple ways to introduce or acknowledge the subject
- Effective ways to respond when a patient shares a concern
- What useful first-line information and support can look like
- How different members of the team can contribute within the scope of their roles
- How to recognize when additional or specialized support may be appropriate
- The importance of knowing available resources and referral options
The emphasis is on practical understanding that staff can use in everyday interactions rather than expecting them to diagnose or treat intimacy-related concerns.
Who It Is For
Our Basic Staff Training is designed for patient-facing teams across cancer care and support, including nurses, social workers, navigators, program staff, peer supporters, volunteers, and rehabilitation professionals.
No previous training in sexuality or sexual health is required.
What participants will leave with
Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of why intimacy belongs within whole-person cancer care, greater confidence responding when concerns arise, and clarity about what falls within their role.
First-line support can be as simple as acknowledging a concern, offering useful information or resources, or connecting someone with another member of the care team.
Staff do not need to have every answer to respond well.
Format
Basic Staff Training is offered as a 90-minute live virtual training for organizational teams.
The session includes foundational education, practical examples, and opportunities to discuss how the material applies within the organization’s setting.
On-site and customized training options are also available.
Investment
Starting at $2,500* per organization
*Preferential pricing is available for select nonprofit, community-based, and early partner organizations. We’re happy to discuss what may be available for your organization.
The standard engagement includes:
- One 90-minute live virtual training
- Training for one organizational team (up to 15 people)
- Participant resources, reference guides, and practical tools
- Supporting materials for use after the session
Training for larger audiences, multiple teams or locations, on-site delivery, or customized content can be scoped separately.
Training can be a starting point
Basic Staff Training can stand on its own or become one practical step toward a more consistent approach to intimacy-informed care.