LGBTQ communities and cancer care

This module is aimed at cancer service workers (both clinical and non-clinical) to enhance their knowledge, confidence and inclusive practice skills in LGBTQ care and to respond to the unique needs of LGBTQ people with cancer.

About

People with diverse genders and sexualities (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities, known as LGBTQ) experience unique disparities, barriers, and risk factors related to cancer. Data about LGBTQ people and health are limited due to inadequate data collection around gender and sexuality. However, we know that LGBTQ people may experience a clustering of risk factors that increase the risk of cancer, including: 

• higher rates of smoking than the general population 
• higher rates of alcohol consumption than the general population 
• lower participation in cancer screening than the general population (breast and cervical) 
• long-term hormone use, particularly among trans and gender diverse people
• particular barriers that reduce frequency of accessing health services.

Understanding and appropriately mitigating these risks allows cancer services to provide inclusive and safe treatment to LGBTQ people.

Prior to completing this module, you may wish to complete the ACON Pride Training LGBTQ+ Introduction modules. You must be a registered user of eviQ Education to access these introductory modules.

Modules

This module has been developed by ACON’s Pride Training in cooperation with eviQ Education and the Cancer Institute NSW, drawing on expertise from across the cancer sector, LGBTQ subject matter experts and the latest research.

Additional Information

This module includes closed captioned videos. You may need to ensure your computer has speakers or headphone input. At the end of the training there is a short survey that we encourage you to complete. This will help us evaluate the program and identify additional opportunities for further education.

Funding

This project has been funded by the Cancer Institute NSW.