Breast Cancer Trials’ popular and informative Q&A’s have tackled a number of important issues around breast cancer treatments, preventions, side effects, young women and breast cancer, amongst other subjects.
In their latest Q&A which will take place on Wednesday, May 3rd between 5-6.30pm, Breast Cancer Trials and their panel of experts will be answering questions about breast cancer and the LGBTQI+ communities.
Learning that you have breast cancer can be an isolating experience no matter who you are or how you identify but there can be additional challenges and barriers for those in the LGBTQI+ community.
Findings from the ‘Out with Cancer’ study from the University of Western Sydney, found that cancer patients in the LGBTQI+ community are 4 times more likely to report distress. 90% of 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.
Additionally, more communication and support is needed within the transgender population about breast cancer and breast cancer screening – https://www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au/about-screening-mammograms/information-for-trans-and-gender-diverse-people/.
In Breast Cancer Trials’ latest Q&A about breast cancer in the LGBTQI+ community, they will discuss key findings from the ‘Out with Cancer’ study, the impact of treatment-related body changes, the positive benefits of disclosing to your medical team, inclusivity and diversity in breast cancer research, and what support is available to help patients and their partners.
The expert panel, hosted by Julie McCrossin AM, includes oncology social worker, Ms Kim Hobbs, Professor Jane Ussher, Dr Elizabeth Blackley and breast cancer survivor, Michelle Steenson and her wife Sharon.
People interested in the QA can register for free at this link.They can also submit a question or a video question to the expert panel.
Source: BCT
