Cancer Prevention is an LGBTQ+ Issue.
CPiA is dedicated to cancer prevention and addressing cancer disparities in the LGBTQ+ community.
The LGBTQ+ community carries a disproportionate cancer burden, has distinctive risk factors, and faces additional barriers to accessing health care. LGBTQ+ individuals may have a higher risk of getting cancer than those who identify as heterosexual or cisgender1 including HPV cancers, skin cancer, and other preventable cancers.
HPV Cancers
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes six types of cancers in people of all genders: cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and head and neck cancers. Gay and bisexual men are 20x more likely to get anal cancer 2, and even higher for gay and bisexual men who are HIV+. Lesbian and bisexual women have an increased risk of cervical cancer. 3 The HPV Vaccine can prevent over 90% of HPV cancers, and is recommended for people of all genders beginning at 9 and through age 45. Talk to your healthcare provider to start your HPV vaccine series, or use the Gardasil®9 Pharmacy Locator if over 18 years old: https://www.gardasil9.com/adults/where-to-get-hpv-vaccine/
Skin Cancer
Gay and bisexual men have higher rates of skin cancer, and higher rates of tanning bed use, compared with heterosexual men. 4 Indoor tanning beds are a known carcinogen and increase skin cancer risk. You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by reducing exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and indoor tanning, CLICK HERE to learn more about skin cancer prevention.
Cancer Screenings
The LGBTQ+ community faces numerous barriers to accessing healthcare. LGBTQ+ individuals are less likely to be up to date on cancer screenings3, more likely to delay health care1, and experience higher rates of discrimination in healthcare settings3 and being denied medical care. 6 The LGBTQ+ community carries a disproportionate cancer burden with higher rates of certain cancers including cervical cancer, skin cancer, and breast cancer. 1 Routine cancer screening can detect cancers early when they are easier to treat, or some cancers, before they start.
If you’re behind on cancer screenings, talk to your healthcare provider, or find an LGBTQ+ cancer screening provider through the National LGBT Cancer Network CLICK HERE
If you’re an employer and are interested in paid time off (PTO) for cancer screenings, CLICK HERE to learn more about how CPiA can assist you at no cost.
More resources for LGBTQ+ Cancer Prevention & Health Promotion:
National LGBT Cancer Network: https://cancer-network.org
The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Stony Brook Medicine, LGBTQ* and Cancer: https://www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/LGBTQ/Education/Cancer
SOURCES:
- American Cancer Society. (2023). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer [LGBTQ+] People and Cancer Fact Sheet for Healthcare Professionals. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/cancer-control/en/booklets-flyers/lgbtq-people-with-cancer-fact-sheet.pdf
- National LGBT Cancer Network. (2009). Anal Cancer, HIV, and Gay/Bisexual Men. https://cancer-network.org/cancer-information/gay-men-and-cancer/anal-cancer-hiv-and-gaybisexual-men/
- American Cancer Society. (2022). More Information About Cancer in LGBTQ People May Help Improve Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment. https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-highlights/cancer-health-disparities-research/cancer-health-disparities-acs-research-highlights.html?cm_ven=ExactTarget&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=June_NUCU_Test_CY22_06022022&utm_source=smc&utm_content=&utm_term=Full%20File%20-%2025%20Months%20or%20more%20and%20non%20donors_Test&nclid=SaKftADb0MsPs808JpFHQ4Dc5bFJf0OMgexOn5dOQYekqzjtsI0H7EddM6iZnBsp
- National LGBT Cancer Network. (2023). Melanoma and the LGBTQ+ Community. https://cancer-network.org/resources/melanoma-and-the-lgbtq-community/
- University of California, San Francisco, Transgender Care Program. (2016). Screening for Cervical Cancer in Transgender Men. https://transcare.ucsf.edu/guidelines/cervical-cancer
- American Cancer Society. (2021). Cancer Care for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/cancer-control/en/booklets-flyers/cancer-care-for-transgender-and-gender-nonconforming-people.pdf
