LGBTIQA+ people and cancer

Tips for health professionals

Overview

Respectful health care can help LGBTIQA+ people cope better with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Health services can support LGBTIQA+ people by using each person's pronouns, preferred name and relationship terms. They can also update their forms and resources to use inclusive language, and provide gender-neutral toilets.

Training resources can help health professionals provide inclusive care.

LGBTIQA+ people and cancer booklet (PDF)

About this information

The information on this website is not medical, legal or financial advice. Always consult appropriate professionals about your specific situation. Full disclaimer.

Reviewers

This resource was developed as part of the Western Sydney University Out with Cancer research project. This edition has been developed by Cancer Council NSW on behalf of all other state and territory Cancer Councils as part of a National Cancer Information Subcommittee initiative.

We thank the reviewers of this edition:

Prof Alison Brand, Clinical Professor, The University of Sydney and Director, Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Dr Daniel Brown, Clinical Psychologist and Researcher, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, VIC; Dr Rosalie Power, Senior Research Fellow and Deputy HDR Director, Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, NSW; Dr Sarah Bishop Browne, Palliative and Supportive Care Staff Specialist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Collette Butler, Clinical Nurse Consultant and McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Cancer Support Centre, Launceston, TAS; Prof Ada Cheung, Endocrinologist, NHMRC and Dame Kate Campbell Research Fellow and Head, Trans Health Research Group, The University of Melbourne, VIC; Dr Tiffany Daly, Radiation Oncologist, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Raymond Terrace, QLD; A/Prof Ian Faragher, The University of Melbourne and Head, Colorectal and General Surgery Unit, Western Health, VIC; Hall & Wilcox (law firm); A/Prof Peter Heathcote, Urologist, Brisbane Urology Clinic, QLD; Prof Richard Hillman, Senior Staff Specialist, HIV and Immunology, St Vincent’s Health Network, Sydney, NSW; Mads Kennedy, Project Coordinator, Silver Rainbow, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, NSW; Dr Sanjeev Kumar, Breast Cancer Medical Oncologist and Clinician Scientist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Madeline Lee, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council NSW; Luke Mitchell, Urological and Sexual Health Nurse Practitioner, Men’s Health Melbourne, VIC; Nadia Reddish, Consumer; Dr Stephen Rowles, Sexual Health Physician and General Practitioner, The Centre Clinic and Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, VIC; Teresa Simpson, Senior Clinician, Psycho-Oncology Social Work Service, Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, NSW; Mel Tume, Consumer; Prof Jane Ussher, Professor of Women’s Health Psychology and Chief Investigator, Out with Cancer Study, Western Sydney University, NSW; Syr Lumi Vor, Community Member; John Wenborn, Shine a Light (LGBTQIA+ Cancer Support Group).

We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who worked on the first the edition of this title. We particularly acknowledge ACON and Intersex Human Rights Australia for their extensive input on the first edition. Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag designed by Valentino Vecchietti (2021).

View our editorial policy.

Inclusive, welcoming health care can improve how LGBTIQA+ people cope with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Under the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, everyone has the right to safe, respectful and confidential health care. Health services can support LGBTIQA+ people by making a few simple changes.

Use preferred language – Use each person’s pronouns, preferred name, relationship terms (e.g. wife, husband), and language for body parts (e.g. breasts, chest). It can help to share your own pronouns first.
Avoid assumptions – When relevant to health care, ask respectful questions about people’s bodies, relationships or support needs.
Recognise partners and families of choice – Include spouses, partner/s and chosen family in care plans as the person wishes.
Check intake forms – Review intake forms to ensure they include a range of gender options and allow recording of both preferred name and legal name (e.g. name on the Medicare card).
Review language in care materials – Avoid gendered language (e.g. men’s and women’s) in patient information about cancer.
Check facilities – Provide gender-neutral toilets and consider ward or room placement carefully so trans and gender-diverse patients are not placed in facilities that don’t match their gender.
Seek training – Training can help health professionals provide inclusive care. Examples are the Cancer LGBTIQ+ Inclusivity Toolkit and Rainbow Health Australia resources.
Display LGBTIQA+ signs or flags – If your healthcare service provides inclusive care, display signs in the practice and online.
Think about referrals – Refer to other LGBTIQA+ friendly health professionals, where possible.

Relevant support

Can We

ACON

Services offered

Cancer information Cancer screening

View detail

QLife

Services offered

Mental health support (general)

View detail

Find support services

Find the right services for your needs, wherever you are in Australia

Read cancer information

Trusted cancer information for all people affected by cancer

Need to talk to someone?

We're available 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

Click to call for support

Common searches

Cancer Connect 13 11 20