Navigating healthcare can be complex, and your sexual orientation and gender
identity may have an impact on the cancer care you receive. Below you will find
resources we’ve created to help empower you as you navigate next steps.
Health Match is a problem-solving platform that we’ve created to provide a lifeline to patients and
their families by matching them to resources, tools and education based on the challenges they need
help with. There are various challenges we’ve identified for people diagnosed with cancer, but we’ve
also taken it a step further and curated resources from trusted organizations to help support the
unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.
We’ve curated helpful tips to help you understand your rights
and better partner with your healthcare team.
Take the time to find a healthcare provider that's sensitive to your needs and is someone you can be open to and connect with. Here you can find a curated directory of LGBTQIA+ friendly healthcare providers to get you started and/ or ask for referrals.
While certain topics can be difficult to talk about with your healthcare provider, sexual history and gender-related healthcare can influence the type of care you may need and the type of screenings you may be eligible for. To help you feel more comfortable sharing, you may want to bring a trusted friend. You can also ask to chat with your healthcare provider before you change into a hospital gown or enter the exam room, if that would make you more comfortable.
It is helpful for your care team to be aware of all your treatments and healthcare needs. This includes past personal and family history, as well as current and future treatments (medical/mental health and anything over-the-counter). Be sure to ask for your medical records so you have this at your fingertips.
Ideally, your healthcare provider will ask about your name, partner(s), pronouns and body parts (and the way you use them), without making any assumptions. If they don’t ask, share what is true for you and will make the experience better. You can postpone a sensitive exam for a future visit or get it out of the way at the start of the appointment. Ask for a detailed explanation as the exam happens, or no discussion until later. There are often many ways for the healthcare provider to see and hear what they need, so collaborate and let your preferences be known.
Your exam, treatments, and any details you share are confidential, and your privacy should be respected. You should receive documents that explain your privacy rights and how protected information may be disclosed. You also have the right to know who is in the exam room (other than your primary healthcare provider) and the reason for their presence.
Know what to ask. Be proactive and learn about the specific healthcare issues facing LGBTQIA+ people and screenings you may need. You can use the Head to Toe: Do You Know Your Body? infographic to help you understand some of the primary screenings, but everyone is different depending on treatments, hormones, and surgeries, so be sure to have a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Learn more about your healthcare rights! Federal regulations require most hospitals to document policies regarding a patient’s right to designate visitors of their choice, and SOGI discrimination is prohibited. You may want to create a Hospital Visitation Directive regardless of these regulations. The Healthcare Bill of Rights is a good place to start with understanding the basics.
It’s important for the LGBTQIA+ community to take steps to ensure that people you choose can make medical decisions on your behalf, in case of an emergency. State laws governing medical decision-making are often based on biological and marital relationships. To ensure your healthcare wishes and preferences are respected, take the time to prepare and share advanced healthcare directives, designating a health care proxy, and putting in place a living will.
Hormones play a huge role in your health. Talk to your healthcare provider about the affect of hormones on how your body functions and the impact on cancer risk and screenings.
You may have a higher risk of certain cancer types, and we all have a right to screenings. Screenings don't reduce your cancer risk but help with early detection and treatment.
Approximately 4 of 10 cancers are attributable to lifestyle and environmental risk factors, which
include sexual/reproductive history, smoking, alcohol, diet, weight and physical activity. Sexual and
gender minorities may have a higher risk of certain cancer types, and it’s important you stay on top
of your screenings! This resource provides a bird’s eye view of screenings you should talk to your
healthcare team about.
The LGBTQIA+ community may have a higher risk of certain cancer types, which is why it’s
important for your healthcare team to understand and accommodate your needs. This resource
includes a few tips to help empower clinicians to better partner with their LGBTQIA+ patients.
Take the time to find a healthcare provider that's sensitive to your needs and is someone you can be open to and connect with. Here you can find a curated directory of LGBTQIA+ friendly healthcare providers to get you started and/ or ask for referrals.
While certain topics can be difficult to talk about with your healthcare provider, sexual history and gender-related healthcare can influence the type of care you may need and the type of screenings you may be eligible for. To help you feel more comfortable sharing, you may want to bring a trusted friend. You can also ask to chat with your healthcare provider before you change into a hospital gown or enter the exam room, if that would make you more comfortable.
It is helpful for your care team to be aware of all your treatments and healthcare needs. This includes past personal and family history, as well as current and future treatments (medical/mental health and anything over-the-counter). Be sure to ask for your medical records so you have this at your fingertips.
Ideally, your healthcare provider will ask about your name, partner(s), pronouns and body parts (and the way you use them), without making any assumptions. If they don’t ask, share what is true for you and will make the experience better. You can postpone a sensitive exam for a future visit or get it out of the way at the start of the appointment. Ask for a detailed explanation as the exam happens, or no discussion until later. There are often many ways for the healthcare provider to see and hear what they need, so collaborate and let your preferences be known.
Your exam, treatments, and any details you share are confidential, and your privacy should be respected. You should receive documents that explain your privacy rights and how protected information may be disclosed. You also have the right to know who is in the exam room (other than your primary healthcare provider) and the reason for their presence.
Know what to ask. Be proactive and learn about the specific healthcare issues facing LGBTQIA+ people and screenings you may need. You can use the Head to Toe: Do You Know Your Body? infographic to help you understand some of the primary screenings, but everyone is different depending on treatments, hormones, and surgeries, so be sure to have a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Learn more about your healthcare rights! Federal regulations require most hospitals to document policies regarding a patient’s right to designate visitors of their choice, and SOGI discrimination is prohibited. You may want to create a Hospital Visitation Directive regardless of these regulations. The Healthcare Bill of Rights is a good place to start with understanding the basics.
It’s important for the LGBTQIA+ community to take steps to ensure that people you choose can make medical decisions on your behalf, in case of an emergency. State laws governing medical decision-making are often based on biological and marital relationships. To ensure your healthcare wishes and preferences are respected, take the time to prepare and share advanced healthcare directives, designating a health care proxy, and putting in place a living will.
Hormones play a huge role in your health. Talk to your healthcare provider about the affect of hormones on how your body functions and the impact on cancer risk and screenings.
You may have a higher risk of certain cancer types, and we all have a right to screenings. Screenings don't reduce your cancer risk but help with early detection and treatment.
Approximately 4 of 10 cancers are attributable to lifestyle and environmental risk factors, which
include sexual/reproductive history, smoking, alcohol, diet, weight and physical activity. Sexual and
gender minorities may have a higher risk of certain cancer types, and it’s important you stay on top
of your screenings! This resource provides a bird’s eye view of screenings you should talk to your
healthcare team about.
The LGBTQIA+ community may have a higher risk of certain cancer types, which is why it’s
important for your healthcare team to understand and accommodate your needs. This resource
includes a few tips to help empower clinicians to better partner with their LGBTQIA+ patients.
