About Us
Vision
All women and girls affected by cancer will have timely access to evidence-based education and care to promote sexual well-being and optimize sexual outcomes.
Mission
To accelerate rigorous science, promote evidence-based education and practice, and foster networking and collaboration.
Core Values
Collaboration | Diversity | Excellence | Integrity | Scholarship
Goals
The Scientific Network is committed to advancing sexual health for women and girls affected by cancer through three strategic goals:
- Build a robust, multidisciplinary network of experts including clinicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, and patient advocates focused on the prevention and treatment of sexual problems in cancer patients and survivors.
- Advance the evidence base for the effective and routine treatment of sexual problems
- Foster multi-institutional and multidisciplinary collaboration to address sexual health sequelae for cancer patients and survivors and synthesize efforts for their rehabilitation and recovery.
Our History
The Scientific Network on Female Sexual Health and Cancer was founded through a collaboration between interdisciplinary teams at the University of Chicago and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The Network was established to bring together clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing sexual health care for women affected by cancer through collaboration, education, and research.
Since its inception, the Network has convened scientific conferences across the United States, including meetings in Chicago (2010), New York (2011), Durham (2013), and Boston (2015). A strategic planning meeting held in Madison (2012) further strengthened the Network's vision and long-term goals.
The Network's early growth focused on engaging experts from National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, creating a collaborative community committed to accelerating research, improving clinical practice, and enhancing the quality of life for women and girls affected by cancer.