LGBTQ+ and Cancer Support - Blog 27th June

LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and other sexual orientations and gender identities. If you are LGBTQ+ and living with cancer, it is vital that you get the relevant information and support.

Cancer Screening

We know how crucial cancer screening is in detecting and diagnosing cancers in their early stages (or in some cases preventing them altogether). But for LGBTQ+ communities, there can be complex barriers to cancer screening; including a lack of information about who is eligible, not being invited in the first place, and gender dysphoria.

Breast Screening

According to research, certain aspects of gender-affirming care, like hormone therapy or surgery, can increase a person’s breast cancer risk. You are automatically invited for breast screening if you are registered as female with your GP, and aged between 50-70 (if you’re over 70, you can still self-refer through your GP). If you are transgender or non-binary, though, you may need to talk to your GP or practice nurse about breast screening, and they can arrange for you to be invited.

Cervical Screening

This is offered to anyone registered as female with their GP and aged between 25-64. There are many misconceptions out there, such as you don't need screening if you are a lesbian. But all individuals with a cervix should go for regular cervical screening. If you are a trans man or non-binary person and have a cervix, you should have a screening. Chat with your GP, practice nurse or local sexual health service if you have any questions, and they can help arrange a screening for you.

This walk-through video My Cervix My Service from Live Through explains what happens during a cervical screening at the trans-led clinic, CliniQ. This might help answer some practical questions you have about screening. You can explore Live Through This – a peer support group for LGBTQ+ people affected by cancer. This group concentrates on LGBTQ+ experiences of cancer and support overall, as opposed to one cancer type. They provide a safe space for those with experience of any type of cancer at any stage, from testing, diagnosis, treatment, and remission to long-term care.

Macmillan also has lots more information for trans and non-binary people for you to check out, including information about having tests, treatment and receiving support. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/transgender 

Support Line – our Macmillan Support Line advisers are here to help if you are LGBTQ+ and have any questions or concerns about cancer. You can call for free on 0808 800 00 00, lines are open from 8 am til 8 pm.

You can also join Macmillan’s LGBTQ+ cancer forum, a welcoming and supportive space for sharing your cancer experiences and chatting anonymously with others affected by cancer. This community is available 24/7 and is a safe space to ask anything you might be thinking or worrying about related to cancer. Talk to people who understand at the LGBTQIA+ cancer forum - Macmillan Online Community.

You can learn more about cancer treatment for LGBTQ+ people here 

That's it for this week, but as ever, if you have any feedback or would like to share a topic related to cancer or input to future blogs, please contact lee.davies@ageukcornwall.org.uk or mary.austin@ageukcornwall.org.uk