LGBTQI+ People and Cancer

Research shows that as an LGBTQI+ person diagnosed with cancer you may have to deal with a number of unique challenges.

Find answers to common questions, such as do I need to tell my cancer care team that I am LGBTQI+, and what details could I disclose?

A diagnosis of cancer can be difficult for any person to deal with. Research shows that the outcomes of cancer and its treatment can be different for LGBTQI+ people.

Many people worry that they will face discrimination if they tell their health professionals they are LGBTQI+.

Cancer and its treatment can change the way you look. This can affect how you feel about yourself (body image), regardless of sexual orientation, gender and sex characteristics.

Explore our tips for coping with the ways cancer treatment can affect sexual activity and intimacy.

Before starting treatment, it’s important to discuss how cancer treatments may affect your ability to conceive a child or maintain a pregnancy (fertility) and your options for fertility preservation.

We discuss some of the ways being transgender (trans) and/or gender-diverse may affect cancer treatment.

We discuss some of the ways having an intersex variation may affect treatment for cancer.

Advanced cancer is cancer that has spread from the original site or come back. Many LGBTQI+ people worry about receiving palliative and end-of-life care that is safe and meets their needs.

Learn about follow-up care, what happens if the cancer returns, and how to look after your physical and mental health.

Caring can be challenging for everyone but LGBTQI+ carers may face added challenges.

There are many general and LGBTQI+ specific sources of support and information to help you, your chosen family and carers.