ISSM/MESSM Webinar on From Diagnosis to Recovery: Integrating Sexual Health into the Cancer Care Pathway
This webinar took place on July 28, 2025.
In this ISSM/MESSM Webinar on Integrating Sexual Health into Cancer Care, experts addressed key aspects of sexual health throughout the cancer journey.
They reviewed communication strategies and prevention of treatment-related complications for urological, gynecological, and breast cancers. Additionally, psychosexual interventions and approaches to maintaining intimacy for couples during and after cancer treatment, providing healthcare professionals with practical insights to improve patient well-being and quality of life.
What You'll Learn
- Sexual Health Counselling at Urological Cancer Diagnosis: Communication Strategies and Prevention of Treatment-related Complications by Mohamed Marzouk Abdallah (Egypt)
- Maintaining Intimacy: Psychosexual and Couple Intervention in Cancer Care by Christian Nelson (USA)
- Sexual Health Counseling at Gynecological and Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Communication Strategies and Prevention of Treatment-related Complications by Faysal El Kak (Lebanon)
Nahid PunjaniUSA
Nahid Punjani MD MPH is an Associate Professor of Urology at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. After finishing his urologic residency, he completed a fellowship in Male Sexual and Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering. His practice currently focuses on the men’s health, sexual dysfunction and male infertility.
Mohamed Marzouk AbdallahEgypt
Prof. Mohamed Marzouk Abdallah is Professor of Urology and Senior Consultant Urologist with a distinguished career in male sexual and reproductive health, oncological urology, and reconstructive surgery. He completed his clinical fellowship in Reconstructive Urology and Andrology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), USA.
Prof. Abdallah has a particular interest in the management of male sexual dysfunction following cancer therapy, advanced prostate diagnostics, and penile prosthesis implantation. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in the fields of sexual medicine and urologic oncology. A committed educator and speaker, he plays a leading role in regional and international educational events, including point-counterpoint debates, hands-on training workshops, and multidisciplinary oncology symposia.
Christian NelsonUSA
Christian Nelson is the Chief of the Psychiatry Service and an Attending Psychologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with expertise in treating men with prostate cancer and other genitourinary malignancies. As the psychological liaison to Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Genitourinary and Sexual Medicine services, he provides short- and long-term counseling services to patients struggling with cancer-related issues. Dr. Nelson also works with the Center’s 65+ Program, providing psychological support for patients who are 65 and older, and co-facilitates a support group for patients dealing with the combined issues of cancer and aging.
Working with members of the symptom management, neurocognitive, and psychotherapy laboratories, Dr. Nelson has focused his research on cancer’s impact on quality of life in prostate and geriatric cancer patients, and on developing new psychotherapy approaches for these groups. Some specific studies he has conducted include the impact of sexual dysfunction following cancer treatment; the cognitive effects of hormonal therapy on prostate cancer patients; distress in African-American men with prostate cancer; and developing assessment measures and psychotherapy specific to geriatric patients.
Faysal El KakLebanon
Professional Experience
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Sexual Health and Director of Women Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) Program, Department of OBGYN, American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC)
Senior Lecturer of Health Behavior and Sexuality, Faculty of Health Sciences, AUB
President of the World Association of Sexual Health (WAS)
Immediate Past Vice President of the Federation International Gynecology Obstetrics (FIGO)
Expertise and Research Interests
Integrated clinical ObGyn services
Comprehensive sexual health services (medical, surgical, counseling)
Sexual and reproductive health
