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Sexual Wellbeing: In conversation with Steve Allen

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Minutes: 20

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Topic:

Erectile dysfunction, Fatigue, Health Inequality, Patient Support, Psychological support, Side effects management
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Area of Practice:

Not specified
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Recommended for:

Allied Health Professional, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Secondary Care Doctor, Secondary Care Nurse

Sexual wellbeing remains one of the most challenging and often overlooked aspects of prostate cancer survivorship. For many men, the impact of treatment extends far beyond physical side effects, influencing identity, relationships, confidence, and emotional health. This session brings together two complementary perspectives to deepen understanding and inspire more holistic, equitable support within secondary care.

Kavita Taylor will draw on her extensive experience in quality improvement, sexual wellbeing service design, and implementation of the Movember guidelines to explore how services can better meet the needs of men experiencing sexual dysfunction, fatigue, and psychological distress after treatment. She will discuss the importance of integrated, multidisciplinary support and the role of secondary care teams in creating safe, open spaces for conversations about intimacy and identity.

Alongside this, Steve Allen will share his candid and deeply personal journey through prostate cancer treatment, including the profound impact of urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and the long road to recovery. His reflections — shaped by years of patient advocacy, national representation, and peer support — offer invaluable insight into the emotional realities men face and the difference that timely, compassionate support can make.

Together, Kavita and Steve will highlight strengths and gaps in current pathways, challenge assumptions about masculinity and intimacy, and encourage clinicians to champion person‑centred approaches that promote resilience, connection, and empowerment.

This session forms part of the Specialists Conference 2026 and is designed for secondary care nurses, clinical nurse specialists, doctors, and allied health professionals committed to improving survivorship care.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be better able to:

  • Deepen their understanding of the lived experience of prostate cancer, including the emotional, relational, and identity‑related impact of sexual side effects
  • Explore how treatment affects intimacy, masculinity, and overall wellbeing
  • Identify gaps and strengths in current support systems and advocate for more holistic, person‑centred care
  • Recognise how to promote resilience, connection, and empowerment in men experiencing sexual wellbeing challenges

Please be aware this session was recorded on 03/2026 for Specialists Conference 2026. We review our webinar content every 2 years.

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Webinar Presenters

Stephen Allen

Patient with lived experience

Steve Allen, now aged 77, received a diagnosis of prostate cancer some 18 years ago. Initially he dismissed symptoms of prostatic issues for over two years. Steve believed he had a non-cancerous condition, only to discover otherwise. He underwent a radical prostatectomy in 2008. Subsequently he developed almost total urinary incontinence and significant problems with sexual function. These have been helped to a varying extent with surgery – the implant of an artificial urinary sphincter – and a combination of pharmacology, psychological intervention, patience and time.

Steve could easily have regret or bitterness over his experience, yet he chooses to focus on the future, stating, “One cannot regret the past, only look to the future.” His current aim is to ensure that patients facing similar challenges receive not only appropriate treatment but also the vital support and guidance often lacking in such circumstances.

Since his surgery, Steve has become closely involved with prominent prostate cancer charities, including Prostate Cancer UK and Tackle Prostate Cancer. He is a patient representative for Tackle with national bodies such as NICE, the Scottish Medicines Consortium, and the National Prostate Cancer Audit.

He regularly gives talks to local PCa Support Groups throughout the country. Through his interactions with countless patients and their families, Steve has gained invaluable insights and shared experiences. He is both proud and humbled to be their voice when it is needed as an independent patient advocate.

Having been a consultant anaesthetist, he maintains a medical background. However, Steve is now always a patient first and a doctor second.

Kavita Tailor

Kavita Tailor, Sexual Wellbeing Service Manager, Prostate Cancer UK

With a longstanding commitment to quality improvement and service development in cancer care, Kavita is currently leading the design and implementation of an innovative sexual wellbeing service for men with prostate cancer, while also establishing a community of practice to support the implementation of Movember guidelines and strengthen sexual wellbeing support across prostate cancer services. Kavita began as a radiotherapist and has since held a range of impactful roles, including Macmillan Information and Support Officer supporting patients across nine tumour groups from diagnosis to end of life. She has also worked as a Health Facilitator driving improvements in cancer targets at primary care level, and as a Senior Healthcare Improvement Officer, facilitating leadership programmes and coaching professionals to lead meaningful quality improvement.

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