Abstract IA21: Cancer and the LGBT community

In response to the clear and persistent trends the elimination of cancer-related health disparities among racial/ethnic minorities has been a national public health priority. For the first time Healthy People 2020, the nation's roadmap for improving the health of Americans, also includes sexual minorities as population of priority. Although precise data on cancer rates among lesbians are lacking, evidence suggests that sexual minority status may contribute to excess risk for the development of certain types of cancers, including breast cancer, anal cancer, lung cancer and cancers associated with HIV/AIDS. The causes of these disparities are complex and likely influenced by the same factors that drive cancer disparity rates among African American and other underserved populations. These factors include poor continuity of care; socioeconomic factors, such as lack of adequate insurance coverage; medical mistrust; cultural and emotional factor; and providers' unintentional bias and inadequate cultural competency. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss risk factors for cancer disparities among LGBT individuals and to describe existing cancer risk reduction interventions targeted toward this community.Citation Format: Alicia K. Matthews. Cancer and the LGBT community. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia...
Source: Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: LGBTQ Cancer Health Disparities: Oral Presentations - Invited Abstracts Source Type: research