Healthy sexuality belongs to everyone, including people navigating cancer, chronic illness, trauma, or different‑abilities. In a zero‑shame, trauma‑informed spirit, I/we affirm the right to dignity, informed choice, and consent‑centered relationships. Grounded in the Five Circles of Human Sexuality—body, identity, relationships, intimacy, and pleasure—I/we will collaborate with my/our care team and, when desired, partners, to build a plan aligned with my/our values, goals, culture, and understanding of the diagnosis.
Patient Commitments:
I/We affirm that I am worthy of pleasure, connection, and whole‑person care that supports my evolving sexual wellness that maintains my dignity and personal agency with zero-shame.
I/We will speak openly and honestly. Share what I/we are experiencing in my/our body, emotions, relationships, desire, and function, fears and questions, at a pace that feels safe.
I/We will ask for resources and clarity. Request plain‑language education on expected changes and options; seek referrals (e.g., pelvic floor PT, sex therapy, mental health, men’s health, fertility); and access expertly curated resources such as Prowl The LAB.
I/We will work in collaboration with my clinicians and practitioners to develop a care plan that honors my values and needs, as well as the medical requirements to safeguard my health and ultimately, my life. Define personal goals and boundaries; invite partner(s) to appointments when I/we choose; and practice consent‑centered communication, including check‑ins and mutual respect for limits.
I/We will prepare and track pertinent information and keep a list of symptoms, concerns, and questions; bring it to visits; use patient portals; and ask for interpreters or accessible formats when needed.
I/We will advocate for equity of care. Request culturally responsive, identity-affirming, and different-ability‑inclusive care; ask about costs, insurance coverage, and alternatives; and seek safety supports when needed.
I/We will honor pacing and self‑compassion, celebrate small wins, rest when needed, and seek community support in safe, moderated spaces.
I/We will offer feedback and share what helped and what didn’t to improve care for others.
Timeframe & Accountability:
Within the next 3 months, I/we will complete at least three steps:
(1) Schedule a dedicated sexual health conversation;
(2) Obtain two resources/referrals aligned with my/our goals; and
(3) Document personal goals and consent preferences in the care plan.
Prowl The LAB Supportive Resources for Patients:
(1) Know Your HERstory: Family Health Tree: Your story is power. Your history is a healing map. This worksheet helps you document family's health history and patterns to support informed screening, prevention, and genetic counseling.
(2) Couple's Intimacy Care Plan: For couples navigating cancer, chronic illness, different-ability, or trauma. Use this to co-create safety, connection, and pleasure on your terms. Revisit weekly or as health changes.
(3) Self-Advocacy Pocket Cards:These cards track discussions with your clincian and should be taken to every medical appointment with your multidisciplinary team to make visits clearer, safer, and more effective for patients and couples.
I/We will review progress monthly and adjust as needed and continue to advocate for my optimal health and wellness.
