LGBTQ Cancer Research and Support
There are several LGBTQ individuals who are actively engaged in Cancer research and support. This activity includes academic and practical research in the field, social work, fundraising, and documentary filmmaking. The areas of research and support includes breast cancer, prostate cancer, and many others.
One area of research includes the study of whether LGBTQ individuals have the same incidence of cancer as the general population. Issues such as homophobia and cultural differences may impact the community's access to assessment and treatment. This is particularly evident in less developed countries and other areas where homosexuals are discriminated against. Research has shown that LGBTQ individuals are often more hesitant to see treatment for fear of sharing personal information about their sexual relationships and behavior. This may increase the risk of the LGBTQ community to cancer, and indeed a UK study has shown that gay men report higher cancer rates than straight men (see story below).
Another important issue is the training of healthcare providers in the cancer field to service the unique needs of the LGBTQ community, given these characteristics. As a result of marginalization and intolerance, there are the additional health risks of substance abuse, depression, diet, and smoking that must be considered.
LGBTQ orrganizations that work in the field of cancer research include LGBTQ Cancer Research Network, The National LGBT Cancer Project, and Out With Cancer.
LGBTQ inclusion in the process of cancer research and healthcare support is critical to addressing the needs of the LGBTQ community. We have identified the following LGBTQ individuals who have made, or are making, notable contributions in this field of research and support:
- Jack Andraka, United States - researcher, cancer detection
- Carolyn Bartozzi, United States - chemist and cancer researcher
- Mary Bryson, Canada - Professor and principal investigator of the Cancer’s Margins project (CIHR, which studies cancer health knowledge)
- Eduardo Lopez Collazo, Spain - Scientific Director, IdiPAZ, a cancer research organization
- Chad Goldman, Canada - Co-founder, CauseForce, organizer of the 'Weekend To End Breast Cancer' fundraiser
- Catherine White Holman, Canada - social worker and activist
- Lawrence Isaacson, Great Britain - Chair, World Cancer Research Fund
- Nancy Mahon, United States - Chair, President's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS
- Liz Margolies, United States - Founder & CEO, National LGBTQ Cancer Network
- Peg Norman, Canada - documentary filmmaker on breast cancer, 'My Left Breast'
- Dan Pallotta, United States - fundraiser for cancer research
- Brian Pendleton, Canada - Co-founder, CauseForce, organizer of the 'Weekend to End Breast Cancer' fundraiser
