Improving cancer care by training doctors to address sexual health issues.
Official title: Addressing the Training Gap in Oncology on Sexual Health: Development of the Sexual Health Integrative Fellowship Training (SHIFT) Course for Hematology-Oncology Fellows
Funded at Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr · NIH-11064790 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a training program for doctors who specialize in treating cancer, so they can better help patients with sexual health concerns, making sure that survivors feel supported in all aspects of their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $161,299 |
| NIH project number | 5R25CA288297-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064790 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who have experienced sexual health concerns related to their diagnosis or treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently undergoing cancer treatment or who do not have concerns related to sexual health may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a training course for hematology-oncology fellows to better address sexual health concerns in cancer patients. Many cancer survivors experience distress related to sexual health, yet oncologists often lack the necessary training to discuss these issues effectively. The Sexual Health Integrative Fellowship Training (SHIFT) course aims to fill this gap by providing education and resources to future oncologists, ensuring they can support their patients' sexual health needs as part of comprehensive cancer care. By integrating this training into fellowship programs, the research seeks to enhance the overall quality of care for cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved communication and care regarding sexual health for cancer patients, enhancing their overall well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown that training healthcare providers on sensitive topics like sexual health can significantly improve patient outcomes, indicating that this approach is promising.
Where this research is happening
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Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reese, Jennifer Barsky — Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Reese, Jennifer Barsky
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.