LGBTQIA+ Cancer Community Statistics & Health Inequities
Gay Men More Likely to be Diagnosed with Cancer
"Gay men were more likely to have been diagnosed with cancer compared to heterosexual men. Gay men aged 65 years and older were 6.0% points more likely to be diagnosed with cancer compared to heterosexual men of the same age." (source)
Bisexual Women More Likely to be Diagnosed with Cancer
"Bisexual women were more likely to have been diagnosed with cancer compared to heterosexual women. Bisexual women aged 65 years and older were 7.6% points more likely to be diagnosed with cancer compared to women of the same age." (source)
LGBTQ Persons Experience a Multitude of Health Disparities
"In addition to facing systematic and provider-related barriers, LGBTQ persons experience a multitude of health disparities. For example, gay, lesbian, and bisexual adults and youth are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, suicide, and substance abuse; lesbian, and bisexual women are more likely to be obese than straight women." (source)
"From delayed diagnoses to missing choices on medical forms to simply not being seen, heard, acknowledged or offered much-needed preventive screening — cancer while queer can be frustrating, heartbreaking and at times, much harder than necessary." (source)
"LGBTQ+ patients may also have profound sexual side effects after cancer treatment, everything from erectile dysfunction, penile shrinkage and loss of ejaculate to vaginal dryness, loss of sensation, orgasmic problems and more." (source)
"For the 1 million LGBT cancer survivors in the country today, the impact of disease and treatment on quality of life is significantly different from that of our heterosexual counterparts in the areas of sexuality, social relationships, and dealings with the medical community." (source)
"In a survey of more than 800 LGBTQ people, approximately 10% experienced refusal of medical services, refusal to recognize a partner and/or children in a medical environment, harsh or abusive language from medical professionals, and unwanted physical contact by a physician." (source)
LGBTQ Community Has Increased Risks for Some Cancers
"In addition to these general mental and physical health disparities, the LGBTQ community also has increased risks for some cancers. A recent review of the literature highlighted seven cancer sites that may disproportionately affect the LGBTQ population: anal, breast, cervical, colorectal, endometrial, lung, and prostate cancers." (source)
Black & Multi-Racial Individuals More Likely to Experience Negative Encounters
"Black and Multi-racial respondents were more likely to experience negative encounters during their cancer diagnosis, care and treatment. Black and Multi-racial respondents also faced greater difficulty accessing culturally competent providers, likely due to the increased stigma and discrimination those with multiple marginalized identities face." (source)
Poorer Quality of Life, Poorer Cancer Outcomes & Greater Distress
"LGBTQ communities are at risk for poor access to cancer prevention, screening, and high-quality cancer care. LGBTQ people who are diagnosed with cancer also experience disparities in cancer survivorship, including poorer quality-of-life and cancer outcomes. Compared with heterosexual and cisgender people, LGBTQ cancer survivors report greater distress, report more relationship difficulties, are more likely to engage in substance use, are more likely to report poorer overall health, and experience lower satisfaction with their cancer care and treatment." (source)
"One study published in JAMA Oncology found that patients with breast cancer in sexual and gender minority groups “had delays in diagnosis, declined oncologist-recommended therapies more often, and experienced a 3-fold higher rate of breast cancer recurrence, compared with cisgender heterosexual patients.” (source)
Postponing or Avoiding Medical Care
"More than 1 in 3 LGBTQI+ adults reported postponing or avoiding medical care in the past year due to cost issues, including more than half of transgender or nonbinary respondents.
More than 1 in 5 LGBTQI+ adults reported postponing or avoiding medical care in the past year due to disrespect or discrimination by providers, including more than 1 in 3 transgender or nonbinary individuals." (source)
Lack of Data on LGBTQ+ Patients with Cancer
"Discovering what’s at the heart of these health disparities and poor outcomes is crucial, especially as the population ages and the number of cancer patients — of all stripes — continues to rise.
But there’s a dearth of data on LGBTQ+ patients with cancer. The main reason? A lack of self-reported sexual orientation and gender identity, or SOGI (pronounced “So-Gee”) data.
Although mandated by the Affordable Care Act, only a few cancer centers collect this data, so it can’t be systematically incorporated into national cancer registries like the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. That means researchers can’t determine overall cancer risk and outcomes for these populations.
Sometimes, SOGI data are just not requested: medical forms don’t have the proper checkboxes or care providers don’t ask for it. Other times, it’s not shared by patients because sharing it feels unsafe — and with good reason." (source)
Make LGBTQIA+ Affirming Health Care a Reality
Creating a Welcoming, Safe Environment for LGBTQIA+ Patients
Physicians, nurses, administrators, and all healthcare personnel: This one's for you.
“Many LGBTQ+ people have experienced rejection and stigmatization due to their gender identity or sexual orientation in the hands of healthcare providers. They are looking for subtle signs in the medical environment that can be read as indications of whether they are welcomed or not. After effectively training your staff in LGBTQ+ care, making a few adjustments to the space in which you practice can communicate to your LGBTQ+ patients that you welcome them and want them to feel comfortable.” (source)
- Include inclusive language and questions on patient intake forms: SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) data, pronouns, preferred name, relationship status, etc.
- Become familiar with the language used by LGBTQIA+ individuals. This glossary from the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center is a good starting point.
- “Set yourself free from the mindset of “we treat everybody the same,” because people often have that as the end of their equation. Think about how you can convey that to us before we even get in your door.” (source)
- “A slightly newer resource that is incredibly powerful in this area is putting your pronouns on your lanyard, your nametag, in your email signature or on your staff listing because that doesn’t say you’re LGBTQ at all. It just says you acknowledge that misgendering is a big problem for a population that experiences a lot of disparities, and you don’t want to add to it. We see pronouns, it’s a huge relief because it tells us someone gets one of the basic principles that we struggle with. You may not be perfect in trans care or even using the right pronoun, but adding your pronouns wherever you can is a great, powerful message that you are starting to understand what an underrepresented, underserved population experiences.” (source)
- “Display brochures and educational materials about LGBTQ health concerns.” (source)
- “Have—and post—an inclusive nondiscrimination policy. Be sure to include sexual orientation and behavior, gender identity and expression, sex and sex characteristics, HIV status, and weight along with race, ethnicity, immigration status, marital status, veteran status, etc.” (source)
- “Waiting areas should include transgender-themed posters, artwork, pamphlets, magazines, etc. to indicate a commitment to serving the transgender community.” (source)
- Reserve assumptions about supportive people who accompany your patient to appointments. Don't assume they are a "friend" or "buddy." The person may be a long-time partner, spouse, family member, chosen family, or advocate. Simply ask your patient, "Who is with you today and how will they be supporting you during this time?"
- “Bathroom policies should either define all bathrooms as gender-neutral, or specifically state that patients may choose either the women's or men's rooms based on their own preference. In this latter case, making at least one gender-neutral bathroom available will provide a safe space for nonbinary people as well as for those in transition and who feel uncomfortable in any gendered space.” (source)
- “Cultural humility is a concept through which individuals recognize that their own experiences or identities may not project onto the experiences or identities of others. Each patient should be approached as an individual with no preconceptions. Individual preferences of terminology, complex or novel gender identities, and differing desires for gender affirming treatments will be encountered daily in the clinic. Meeting patients "where they are" without judgment or editorializing (including in some cases, even positive remarks about appearance) will enhance the patient-provider relationship and avoids the perception of stigma or pathologization. While some patients may be empowered by serving as a source of information for medical providers, others may be uncomfortable doing so. It should not be routinely expected that patients explicitly "teach" their providers, and providers should limit historical questions to those that are relevant to the current visit or problem.” (source)
- “When discussing body parts, ask what words the patient uses to describe their body and use those terms. Body dysphoria is a real thing and renaming body parts helps.” (source)
- “Take an inclusive sexual history: Learn to ask about the 5 P’s from CDC (Partners, Practices, Protection, Past History, Pregnancy) and ask everyone, every time in a non-stigmatizing way. Get comfortable asking a sixth: P for Pleasure!” (source)
- “Bring in a trans-led organization to give sensitivity training. And pay them well. This is emotional labor on their part and they didn’t have to come in for you. This is a gift from them. Treat it as such. Ongoing training is necessary to keep staff fresh.” (source)
- “Engaging with local LGBTQIA+ community organizations and individuals helps to build awareness of your health center’s commitment to caring for the community. Efforts may include hosting community events in collaboration with local organizations; recognizing LGBTQIA+ awareness days such as National Coming out Day (October 11) , Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20), and LGBT Health Week (March, weeks vary); organizing a group to march in the community’s annual Pride parade (June); inviting diverse LGBTQIA+ people to join your health center’s governing and community advisory boards; and getting involved with local issues of importance to the LGBTQIA+ community. You can assess the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community in your local area by holding focus groups, administering surveys at LGBTQIA+ events, and talking with key LGBTQIA+ stakeholders and community leaders.” (source)
- Sign up to be included in an LGBTQ-friendly healthcare directory like GLMA, OutCare Health, or LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory.
- Ten Strategies for Creating Inclusive Health Care Environments for LGBTQIA+ People. Check out this guide from the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center for more tips.
More Love Coming Soon
There is more love in store for this page so stay tuned! In the meantime, please take advantage of the resource collection at the bottom of this page for more information on cancer screening, cancer care, support, legal needs, locating LGBTQIA+ healthcare providers, and more for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
If you haven't yet, check out the Newly Diagnosed page and the Learner's Lounge for heaps of information that may help you through your cancer experience.
