First data from OUT: The National Cancer Survey of LGBTQ+ survivors.

Abstract

e18544 Background: Cultural barriers that inhibit LGBTQ cancer care are a public health crisis. Although LGBTQ cultural competency trainings are rapidly becoming the norm, patient-centered information is lacking for healthcare professionals in cancer care. The purpose of OUT: The National Cancer Survey is to understand the experiences of LGBTQ cancer survivors in order to make cancer care a safer and more welcoming place for survivors and their support teams. Methods: Individuals age 18 or older currently living in the United States who have been previously diagnosed with cancer and who identify as LGBTQ+ were recruited via community partnerships and targeted paid social media advertisements with an oversample of media outreach to Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Participants completed a cross-sectional web-based survey of their cancer care experiences. This resulted in a final sample of [1,600+] survivors, the largest known sample of LGBTQ+ cancer survivors in the world. The sample was weighted to adjust for U.S. sex assigned at birth and racial/ethnic demographics. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant responses, crosstabs were used to compare responses across demographic categories, and excerpted responses are used to highlight qualitative themes. Results: Participants ranged in age from X to X years (median X). X% of the sample identified as either gay or lesbian, X% as bi, and X% as trans or gender nonconforming. X% of the sample identified as White only, followed by X% as Latine, X% as Black and X% as other or mixed race. Most common cancer types included XYZ. When asked about welcoming care, X% of the sample reported they specifically sought an LGBTQ+ welcoming provider after diagnosis. Most common methods for finding such a provider included: X, X, and X. Most common cues that helped patients identify welcoming providers included X, X, and X. Overall X% reported receiving care in an LGBTQ+ welcoming environment but X% did not. Of those who did not receive care in a welcoming environment, they were more likely to be X, X, and X. Overall, X% of patients were out to their providers, but this varied by X, X, and X. The most common ways of coming out included X, X, and X. When asked what they wanted to tell health care providers to ensure better care, participants highlighted several themes, including: X, X, and X. These findings provide patient driven insights into how cancer care varies within the LGBTQ+ population by different demographic factors and specific strategies providers can take to enhance care for LGBTQ+ people.

Supporting Women’s Health Choices—Challenges Facing Breast Cancer Survivors Today

“…We know that people of all genders and sexualities who are diagnosed with cancer have additional unmet needs, and efforts to address the sexual health concerns of minoritized populations are urgently needed, including the concerns of those who identify as nonbinary. 6 Cancer-related sexual and reproductive concerns need to be approached using a coordinated and comprehensive biopsychosocial model that addresses biological, psychological, interpersonal, and sociocultural factors. These items would ideally be able to be personalized and delivered via close partnerships between cancer survivors and multidisciplinary teams using an integrated approach.…”

State of Cancer Care in America: Achieving Cancer Health Equity Among Sexual and Gender Minority Communities

“…The National LGBT+ Cancer Network queried SGM patients' cancer care experiences in their online Out Survey, which sampled over 3,700 respondents. 16 The findings from the survey indicate that 81% of respondents felt they were respected and 89% felt welcomed during their cancer journey. 16 Although 87% of respondents felt their cancer center was safe for SGM patients, over 10% did not feel safe.…”

“…16 The findings from the survey indicate that 81% of respondents felt they were respected and 89% felt welcomed during their cancer journey. 16 Although 87% of respondents felt their cancer center was safe for SGM patients, over 10% did not feel safe. 16 The report also suggests disparities in crucial areas of care such as fertility preservation, with over 80% of respondents failing to recall any fertility discussions during their cancer care.…”

“…16 Although 87% of respondents felt their cancer center was safe for SGM patients, over 10% did not feel safe. 16 The report also suggests disparities in crucial areas of care such as fertility preservation, with over 80% of respondents failing to recall any fertility discussions during their cancer care. 16 Similar studies looking at the experiences of SGM people across the cancer care continuum are underway and will help clarify the quality of care offered and received.…”

Clinical outcomes of radiation therapy for transgender and gender-expansive people with cancer

“…Additionally, many transgender, nonbinary, and genderexpansive people have had negative prior experiences with healthcare providers including being intentionally called by the wrong name or pronouns, experiencing verbal or physical abuse, and being refused care due to their transgender identity. In national surveys, 30% of transgender respondents reported delaying or avoiding medical care due to prior discrimination (8), and 24% of transgender cancer survivors reported that their oncology providers were not aware of their gender identity (9). Transgender and gender-expansive people experience healthcare disparities and may have unique needs (10).…”