A Survey of Canadian Radiation Therapists’ Perspectives on Caring for LGBTQ2SPIA+ Cancer Patients

Sexual and gender diversity in cancer care and survivorship

“…A survey in the UK revealed that less than 10% of oncologists felt they possessed sufficient knowledge of SGD patient needs and 68% believed that SGD training should be required [43 ▪ ]. Similarly, a survey revealed that 56.1% of radiation therapists felt they possessed inadequate training to treat SGD patients or to respond to SGD-related topics [44,45 ▪▪ ]. Thus, it has been recommended that HCP education on SGD topics should be improved by providing HCP with clinical, cultural and communication competency education developed by SGD experts in their communities [46].…”

“…Bias can manifest in the absence of including a clear social context, for example listing cancer disparities or risk behaviors without addressing the complex factors of why these behaviors may be present. Samantha Chan and colleagues addressed this language as ‘othering’ [45 ▪▪ ]. When this occurs, there is a risk of misinterpretation implying that SGD communities are individually responsible for having cancer, due to engaging in these risk behaviors.…”

“…Heteronormativity was an additional subtle theme that emerged in our review of the current literature which was at times noticeable as a barrier and unconscious bias in some research studies. For example, in one study, respondents (HCP) indicated that all patients should be treated equally, therefore no adaptation in practice appeared to be required [45 ▪▪ ]. This belief was also reflected by reporting that those HCP are comfortable caring for SGD communities, despite the majority also reporting having inadequate education [44,45 ▪▪ ].…”

“…For example, in one study, respondents (HCP) indicated that all patients should be treated equally, therefore no adaptation in practice appeared to be required [45 ▪▪ ]. This belief was also reflected by reporting that those HCP are comfortable caring for SGD communities, despite the majority also reporting having inadequate education [44,45 ▪▪ ]. However, we believe that in a society that assumes heteronormativity, treating everyone equally reinforces hetero-centric standards of care.…”