National LGBT Cancer Network
Organization supporting LGBT cancer victims
- 2 min read
- 3 chapters
Related on Lably
Through Nonprofit organization, Bisexuality and Transgender
Establishment
There are a number of local lesbian cancer programs and national lesbian health organizations such as the Mautner Project. The National LGBT Cancer Network contains an online cancer screening and referral program, entitled "Take Care of That Body", original articles on cancer risks and survivorship experiences of the LGBT community, and links to resources for both LGBT people and health professionals.
The Network aims to educate the LGBT community of increased cancer risks and the importance of early screening and detection, to offer training initiatives for healthcare providers, and to advocate for the inclusion of the LGBT community in national cancer organizations, research, and media.
Sign in to keep reading
2 more chapters are free with a Lably account.
Recent work with the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation
In 2010, the National LGBT Cancer Network was selected to develop an LGBT cultural competence in healthcare curriculum that became mandatory for all 38,000 employees of the municipal hospital system.
Cancer in the LGBT community
Lesbians, gay men and transgender men and women experience disparities in availability of health insurance and are considered to be at increased risk for multiple types of cancer, based on behaviors such as high smoking and drinking rates, high fat diet, receptive anal intercourse and positive HIV status. Increased risks are coupled with decreased screening behaviors, resulting in cancers being detected at a later stage when it is more difficult to treat. Decreased screening is linked to lower insurance rates and perceived homophobia in health care. LGBT people experience extra challenges in cancer survivorship, including acceptance of their families by oncologists and emergency rooms and information about the effect of treatment on sexuality, relationships and fertility.