Learning that you have breast cancer can be an isolating experience no matter who you are or how you identify.
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A study from the University of Western Sydney, titled Out with Cancer, found cancer patients in the LGBTQI+ community are four times more likely to report distress, among other issues specific to this demographic.
Nine out of 10 people surveyed in the study said they'd experienced discrimination in their general lives, so when they go into cancer care they are afraid of how they will be treated by health professionals.
The study found that there is also a higher level of anxiety about disclosing their sexuality to their doctor or medical team, and they don't have the same support systems compared to patients in the general cancer population.
Patients in the LGBTQI+ community may also have difficulty having their partners or other significant people recognised as family, while navigating the health system as a gender and sexually diverse partnership.
As such, oncology research group Breast Cancer Trials is hosting a free online Q&A about the disease in queer communities. It will have experts and case studies to talk through these challenges, barriers, as well as solutions and where to find help.
The Q&A will be held online on Wednesday, May 3 from 5-6.30pm AEDT. Participants can register here.
