Evidence-Based Tools That Fit Real Oncology Workflows

Supported by 2025 grants from the Iowa Cancer Consortium and Pfizer/NCCN, After Cancer is expanding survivor resources and provider training nationwide.

From Silence to Standard

Our Approach

Our framework helps clinics and care teams integrate sexual health into cancer care. For those who see the need but don’t know where to start, After Cancer provides a clear, structured approach. Explore each step below — click on any line to learn more and see related links.

Assess the Landscape

Understand Your Team’s Starting Point

Our Sexual Health Needs Assessment provides a structured snapshot of how your providers and care team approach sexual health in cancer care, including confidence, knowledge, comfort initiating conversations, and awareness of referral resources.

This is not an audit. It’s a baseline tool designed to clarify where your team stands today so you can make informed decisions about next steps.

You’ll receive a summary report highlighting key themes and practical recommendations for training, patient materials, and implementation support aligned with your clinic’s goals.

Understand Provider & Clinic Needs

Recognize Why It Matters

Most patients want to talk about sexual health, but many never get the chance. Providers often want to help but feel unsure about what to say, how to treat concerns, or where to refer patients for more support.

Start the Conversation

Make Time for the Talk

Our 30-Second Patient Message gives care teams a quick, effective way to bring up sexual health. It helps set expectations, make the topic feel normal, and open the door for future conversations — all without slowing down clinic visits.

Build the Care Pathway

Create a Clear Path for Support

Our Sexual Health Specialist course helps advanced practice providers learn how to identify, evaluate, and manage common sexual health side effects. When the care team starts the conversation, they can confidently treat what’s manageable in the clinic and refer patients to specialists when extra care is needed.

Support Patients with Education

Give Patients Tools They Can Trust

Our library of educational handouts helps patients learn about sexual function, intimacy, body image, and more. Each resource is available in print or digital format, making it easy for clinics to share information whenever patients need it.

Equip the Clinic with Resources

Build a Safe and Supportive Environment

We give clinics the tools to make sexual health a consistent part of care. From communication tips and referral templates to inclusive language guides and waiting room signage, everything is designed to show patients that your clinic is a safe, supportive space to talk about sexual health.

Build Processes for Sustainability

Keep the Momentum Going

Our tools and training help clinics provide sexual health support at every stage of cancer care—not just after treatment. With After Cancer, these conversations become a natural and essential part of patient care.

The After Cancer Story

Focused on patient Advocacy

The After Cancer Story

After Cancer is a non-profit organization dedicated to the mission that all patients impacted by cancer will receive screening for sexual health side effects as part of their care. Started as a collaboration with oncology clinicians and experts in sexual health medicine, the organization now provides educational programs for healthcare professionals and care team members on addressing the issues of their patients.

“I have completed the course and took the test. This course has been invaluable for my patients and making positive changes in not only what I talk to my survivors about, but how I broach the situation. I felt the speakers were not only knowledgeable, but presented the material in such a way that I am no longer nervous to talk about any of these aspects with my patients. Kudos to you and your staff members for making such an all-inclusive, well thought out program!”

Tricia Eveleigh, Survivorship NP

Hematology Oncology

“After being diagnosed with cancer, one usually focuses on the treatment and does not think about considering the aftermath. Cancer survivorship continues to improve and After Cancer offers an all-encompassing course for health care professionals to improve their knowledge and confidence in discussing sexual health solutions following a cancer diagnosis. There is passion behind this program in improving sexual health for all. I highly recommend!”

Nicole Gin, NP

Gynecologic Oncology

“As an ARNP working in Urology and a Multidisciplinary Prostate Cancer Survivorship program, I see a variety of patients with concerns directly related to their cancer treatment including breast, colorectal and prostate cancer patients.  The most valuable concept from the After Cancer course is the importance of screening for sexual health concerns.  I have effectively incorporated the 30 Second Message into my visits in all patients with a history of cancer.  The course has also provided me with therapeutic communication techniques to discuss sensitive topics and provide effective treatment options as well.  I highly recommend this course to other providers caring for patients with a history of or current diagnosis of cancer.”

Sarah Norris, ARNP

Mercy Urology Clinic

“Erin’s presentation, which I had the pleasure of experiencing at a recent gathering of nurse practitioners from across Iowa, left an indelible mark on me and my colleagues. Her candid discussion about her own sexual health journey served as a poignant reminder of the significant gaps in care that persist within the medical community, particularly concerning the delicate topic of sexual health in cancer survivors.”

Larry Newman, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC

University of Iowa

“Erin presented at our community cancer survivorship event and oncology nursing conference. Both presentations were engaging and meaningful. She provided her personal story, as well as education during both sessions. Her presentation to community members focused on normalizing patient experiences and assisting in conversations with the healthcare team. During her nursing presentation, she assisted staff in developing their own 30-second message to initiate sexual health conversations with patients. Erin was professional, well organized, and easy to work with. I would highly recommend her for both patient and healthcare professional education.”

Michelle Reichert, MSN, RN, CNL, OCN

William R. Bliss Cancer Center

“Erin opened my eyes to an important topic that many of us in the medical world leave out of our care for patients-sexual health. What she has done to be vulnerable in talking about her own sexual health situation, and then create a solution for healthcare professionals, and then expand it across the country is truly remarkable. She really is empowering us to do what we should have done all along.”

Richard L. Deming, MD, FACR, FACRO

MercyOne Richard Deming Cancer Center

“Erin Sullivan-Wagner is knowledgeable and passionate about educating both patients and healthcare professionals about sexual health and cancer. She is professional, motivated and a pleasure to work with. I’ve appreciated her work on educating oncology professionals about the importance of sexual health for our patients and our responsibility to help them navigate those sequela of treatment.”

Emily Hill, MD, Gynecologist and Oncologist

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

“Erin and her team at  After Cancer has brought forth such an important topic to the cancer community. The care team at St. Anthony was given the opportunity to participate in the All of Me program, bringing to light the importance of sexual health for our cancer patients. This program helped build confidence and knowledge assuring that sexual health is part of the patient’s care plan. The After Cancer organization has done a wonderful job creating education materials that are relevant and can be used across multiple disciplines in the healthcare organization.”

Lori Pietig, MHA, CT, (RT)(R) Director of Cancer Services

ST. ANTHONY REGIONAL HOSPITAL

“I am incredibly grateful to have worked closely with Erin Sullivan-Wagner for almost five years. Erin’s guidance and expertise have been invaluable in my practice. She has taught me the art of effectively addressing sexual health concerns with clarity and conciseness, enabling me to provide better care to my patients. Moreover, Erin’s strategic approach has empowered me to provide early and frequent education and intervention when it comes to optimizing sexual health for individuals with cancer. She has also taught me how to educate every member of the healthcare team to incorporate this into their daily workflow. Her teaching and our collaboration has transformed my practice, which has, in turn, allowed me to provide more comprehensive sexual health care to my patients and healthcare team.”

Amy Pearlman, MD, Board-Certified Urologist Specializing In Male Sexual Health

PEARLMAN MDS

“Cancer is a word most people fear. Not only is a diagnosis of cancer life-changing in the very moment the news is received, it remains with a cancer patient for life. There are many important topics which require a candid conversation when cancer becomes part of a patient’s life. The goal for these, sometimes hard conversations, is to improve the patient’s quality of life. Quality of Life is important for the patient and all who are in the patient’s circle of family and friends. The conversation of expectations of what may occur regarding sexual health is among one of the important conversations patients need to have with their provider. Unfortunately this is not always occurring. The After Cancer program provides access to understanding the need for this conversation and provides the tools to normalize the discussion for the patient and their provider. The conversation regarding cancer and sexual health improves a patient’s quality of life.”

Caryn Liebowitz MSHA, BSN, RN, Director of Outpatient Oncology and Wound Care Services

SALINAS VALLEY HEALTH

“After Cancer is such an incredible organization that is working to improve sexual health outcomes for cancer survivors. Where many programs put the focus on the patient having to self advocate, After Cancer changes the narrative by putting the responsibilities of these hard conversations on the provider. Every patient deserves to have help for the sexual health effects of cancer and After Cancer is helping to make that possible through provider education and training.”

Alique Topalian, PhD, MPH, Research Scientist

UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI CANCER CENTER

“I have had the privilege of watching Erin turn her own cancer experience into a movement to fill a significant gap in provider knowledge and patient care. Erin and After Cancer are in high and growing demand because addressing sexual health during and following cancer care is not yet standard practice, but is desperately needed for whole human care. Erin has made this possible and approachable for both providers and patients by developing an evidence-based curriculum that approaches a tough topic in a frank but caring way. Her work has changed—and will continue to change—cancer care and survivorship.”

Kelly W. Sittig, Executive Director

IOWA CANCER CONSORTIUM

“Erin is determined to ensure that sexual health concerns are addressed properly with every patient being treated for cancer. Her experience with cancer allows her to approach her work with deep empathy and understanding for what patients need most from their care team. Erin’s energy and passion for helping others is incredibly inspiring and it has been a pleasure to work with her.”

Tessa Alred, Program Coordinator

IOWA CANCER CONSORTIUM

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