Quick facts
- 1 million. The number of LGBTQ+ cancer survivors in the country today (National LGBT Cancer Network, 2020)
- 7 types of cancer disproportionately impact LGBTQ+ people, including anal cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and uterine cancer (Cancer.net)
- Transgender individuals are significantly less likely to be screened for breast and colorectal cancer compared with cisgender individuals (AACR, 2021)
Getting Started
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Cancer Facts for Lesbians and Bisexual Women (American Cancer Society)This site discusses how to reduce the risk for the most common types of cancers for women.
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Cancer Facts for Gay and Bisexual Men (American Cancer Society)This site discusses how to reduce the risk for the most common cancer types for men.
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Coping With Cancer as an LGBT Person (CancerCare)A brief fact sheet covering health disparities, quality of care and support for LGBT patients.
MD Anderson Resources
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LGBT: What to know about cancer preventionTips on cancer prevention for the LGBT community, from MD Anderson’s Cancerwise blog, 2020
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Why MD AndersonAt MD Anderson, we understand how hard it can be to choose a hospital for cancer treatment. Here are some of the reasons why MD Anderson is your best hope for cancer care.
LGBTQ+ Cancer Organizations
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National LGBT Cancer ProjectThe LGBT Cancer Project provides cancer-related programs, services and research focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people.
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National LGBT Cancer NetworkThe LGBT Cancer Network works to improve the lives of LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk by educating the LGBT community, training health care providers and advocating for LGBT survivors.
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Malecare, Inc.This is the world’s first men’s cancer survivor organization to focus on gay and bisexual men’s survivorship.
If you’re an LGBTQIA+ colorectal cancer patient or survivor, Fight CRC’s resources are a great place to gain in-depth information about colon and rectal cancer treatments, symptom management, and survivorship care. Additionally, the following organizations offer great cancer resources specific to the LGBTQIA+ community:
- Cancer.Net: Resources for LGBTQ+ People with Cancer
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: LGBTQI+ Support Resources
- National LGBT Cancer Network: Support for Survivors
- Cancer Care: Coping with Cancer as an LGBTQ+ Person
- Fight CRC Resources Line: Supported by the Cancer Support Community, Fight CRC’s resources line is staffed by social workers who can provide short term counseling and information about local resources and support groups.
While LGBTQIA+ persons fall within general population screening guidelines for prevention and early detection of CRC, disparities in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship exist in the LGBTQIA+ community. With more than an estimated 1 million LGBT cancer survivors in the U.S., it’s essential to understand why the disparities exist and develop ways to address them.
Unfortunately, many cancer registries do not collect information on sexual orientation and gender identity, making it hard to know if screening guidelines are being met. This lack of data stunts research and policy development, awareness, and interventions that could address cancer disparities.
When diagnosed with cancer, LGBTQIA+ patients have reported more fear and stigma than other patients as a result of past negative experiences within the healthcare system and/or fear of discrimination from a provider. Medical teams who are competent in LGBTQ+ cancer care can better meet their patient’s needs.
Medical teams who are LGBTQIA+ community competent and experienced are the best choices for any community member who is recently diagnosed with cancer. A cancer diagnosis is difficult for anyone but especially for an LGBTQIA+ community member who does not feel they can be open about their medical history, life, and family history. It is so important to find the right medical professional that can not only treat you for cancer but also that will make you feel comfortable and relaxed about sharing personal and medical facts. Take the time to find the right medical professional for you.
Data suggest that at the time of diagnosis, many people on the oncology team do not know about a patient’s gender identity and/or sexual orientation. Being aware of these things is important to reduce patient anxiety, to direct patients to resources that are culturally appropriate, to avoid misgendering, and to be considerate of the patients’ emotional support team, which is often composed of friends versus family members.
Sometimes, the best thing for LGBTQIA+ people to do is find a culturally competent provider to replace their current physician if there is a sense of judgment and lack of trust. Cultural competency describes knowledge of attitudes, behaviors, norms, and language used across cultures, in addition to awareness of policies that affect different cultural groups. Sexual orientation is part of a patient’s culture.
When providers and oncology teams invite patients to bring their whole self to appointments, this fosters trusting and positive relationships. The result could mean greater adherence to treatment plans and protocols and overall satisfaction.
Cancer Care
Provides support services and education to the LGBTQ+ community including online support groups for LGBTQ+ persons coping with cancer.
Cancer Support Community
For cancer survivors, having a safe space where they can find social connection and support is essential. For cancer survivors who identify as LGBTQ+, a supportive space is especially important. Studies show that cancer survivors in the LGBTQ+ community face unique challenges, including higher post-treatment stress levels.
The Cancer Support Community is committed to addressing and reducing health inequities in the LGBTQ+ community. Many of our CSC and Gilda’s Club network partners across the country offer support groups, activities, or other programming for LGBTQ+ cancer survivors. Explore a sampling of these program offerings here.
This is not necessarily a complete list. If you don’t see a program near you below, use our location finder to see if there is a CSC location near you. If there is, contact that location to ask if they offer LGBTQ+ support programs.
CSC Greater Ann Arbor
Pride Cancer Support Group (LGBTQ+)
When: Third Thursday of each month, 6-7:30 p.m.
The Pride Cancer Support Group welcomes patients, survivors, and loved ones impacted by cancer who identify as bisexual, gay, lesbian, nonbinary, queer, transgender, 2-spirit, and all other sexual and gender minorities. Join our community.
CSC Los Angeles
Gay Men’s Prostate Cancer Support Group with Los Angeles LGBT Center
When: Second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, 7-9 p.m.
In collaboration with the Los Angeles LGBT Center, this group welcomes gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer and their partners. This group provides a safe space to meet others with similar experiences and talk openly about issues such as treatment options, doctors, health insurance, sex, relationships, fears, coping with after-effects, and more. Join our community.
LGBTQ+ People Living with Cancer Support Group with Los Angeles LGBT Center
When: Fridays, 3-5 p.m.
Individuals currently impacted by cancer or dealing with life after cancer are welcome to join this virtual support group for the LGBTQ+ community. Connect with others in a comfortable, online environment to share your experience and learn from the experiences of others. By participating, you are agreeing to join both CSC Los Angeles and Los Angeles LGBT Center. Join our community.
Gilda’s Club Chicago
LGBTQIA+ Monthly Support Group (in partnership with Howard Brown Health Center)
When: Fourth Monday of the month, 6-7:30 p.m. (Virtual)|
Gilda’s Club Chicago and Howard Brown Health Center invite you to join us for this supportive, virtual monthly group for all those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, nonbinary, genderqueer) and have been impacted by cancer, including those who are living with cancer and family and friends. Email Gilda’s Club Chicago to learn more about participating or call 312-464-9900.
Gilda’s Club South Florida
Gay Men’s Networking Group
When: Second Monday of each month, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. (Virtual)
Facilitated by a licensed oncology social worker, our free support and networking group offers a safe and supportive space for gay, bisexual, and transgender men impacted by cancer in any way, including men with a cancer diagnosis, caregivers, and friends and family members. A light meal is served. For free membership, contact our program team at 954-763-6776 or register online for a new member orientation.
Gilda’s Club Twin Cities
Pride Cancer Networking Group
When: Contact Gilda’s Club Twin Cities.
We are proud to offer a free, professionally facilitated monthly networking group for patients, survivors, and loved ones identifying as LGBTQI+ and all other sexual and gender minorities. Join us in an affirming, empowering space to get and give support. Sign up to attend a new member meeting.
We believe that community is stronger than cancer. We are a relentless ally for anyone who strives to manage the realities of this disruptive disease, so that no one faces cancer alone.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dana-Farber, we know that the LGBTQ+ community faces unique challenges and health disparities, and we work to provide care that addresses each person’s cancer in the context of their lives.
LGBTQ+ patients are at a higher risk for certain types of cancers, including Kaposi sarcoma, cervical, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, lung, liver, anal, and some others. As one of the world’s foremost cancer centers treating these types of cancer – and as a leader in providing equitable care and strong advocacy for LGBTQ+ patients – Dana-Farber is in a unique position to serve the LGBTQ+ community.
Dana-Farber provides the latest, most innovative treatment available to LGBTQ+ patients challenged with cancer, as well as compassion and support to their families and loved ones:
- Our world-renowned specialists provide comprehensive, personalized cancer care and support.
- Our clinical researchers offer unique clinical trials in the cancers to which LGBTQ+ patients are most at risk.
- Our viral immunology researchers lead the field in HIV- and AIDS-related research breakthroughs.
LGBT Cancer Network
The National LGBT Cancer Project is the United States’ first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender cancer survivor support and advocacy nonprofit organization. Our online support group community, Out With Cancer, is committed to improving the health of LGBT cancer survivors with peer-to-peer support, patient navigation, education, and advocacy.
Livestrong
Coming Out with Cancer: Living After Cancer Treatment Brochure
Livestrong’s Living After Cancer Treatment-LGBTQ+ Brochure offers resources related to the physical, emotional, and day-to-day concerns of LGBTQ+ cancer survivors.
At Livestrong, we prioritize a person-centered approach to cancer care for all survivors. There are an estimated one million LGBTQ+ cancer survivors in the United States.
Malecare
212 673 4920
Provides true psychosocial support to over 38,000 men since our founding in 2004. We are a volunteer organization of social workers and psychologists, who found the more widely-used model of a monthly lecture as inadequate for facilitating peer to peer support. Our groups meet weekly or bi-weekly, are 90 minutes in length, and led by a social worker or psychologist who is diagnosed with prostate cancer, or has suffered the loss of their father from prostate cancer. Attendees are limited to men diagnosed with prostate cancer. We run both massive and intimate online groups, including video chats. We focus on underserved communities, such as Gay men (www.lgbtcancer.org) and African-American men. We also facilitate a leading Male Breast Cancer support network.
Mautner Project
The Mautner Project provides services that include health education and workshops to the community and educating healthcare professionals about the unique health needs of the LGBT community.
We offer many resources, including a client navigation system, transportation to cancer treatment and other medical appointments, peer support and referrals to local resources.
National LGBT Cancer Network
Addresses the needs of all LGBT people with cancer and those at risk. The Network advocates for LGBT cancer survivors and trains health care providers in offering respectful and culturally competent care. The Network estimates there are one million LGBT cancer survivors in the U.S. today. As a group, LGBT people have dramatically increased cancer risks and reduced screening rates, with cancers detected at later stages when they are harder to treat.
Improves the lives of LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk by educating the community about their increased cancer risks and the importance of screening and early detection, training health care providers to offer more culturally-competent, safe and welcoming care, and advocating for LGBT survivors in mainstream cancer organizations, the media and research.
National LGBT Cancer Project
The National LGBT Cancer Project is our country’s first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender cancer survivor support and advocacy nonprofit organization. Our online support group community, Out With Cancer, is committed to improving the health of LGBT cancer survivors with peer to peer support, patient navigation, education and advocacy.
Out With Cancer’s volunteers include oncologists, social workers, and psychologists. Many of us are cancer survivors or family members of cancer survivors. All of us are united with you in our fight against cancer and in support of equal and appropriate access to health care for our LGBT community.
On the website, you will find patient and doctor written articles about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people diagnosed with cancer, research references, and resources for our national cancer survivor community. The National LGBT Cancer Project is the premier voice of LGBT cancer survivors in the United States.
The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association: Cancer in Our Lives
LGBTQ+ individuals are at greater risk for some cancers and less likely to access necessary and appropriate diagnostic and treatment resources. These presentations help to put a personal face on cancer in this community, confront the unique obstacles to care, and look at the promising science emerging to prevent some cancers.
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