Day: May 27, 2018

Macmillan Cancer Support and Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard publish the findings from recent research, about the experiences and needs of LGBT+ people in Sussex who are affected by cancer.

IT PROVIDES an insight into how LGBT+ people affected by cancer in Sussex can be best supported and areas where patient experience can be improved. The report is based on findings from a small online survey, several in-depth interviews and two small focus groups with LGBT+ people affected by cancer and healthcare professionals.

Issues raised by participants included a lack of LGBT+ specific information and support; LGBT+ people being afraid to disclose their sexual orientation or trans status because of fears about homo-/bi-/transphobia; lesbian women being told they do not need cervical screening; and transgender people not receiving adequate information about the need for cervical and prostate screening.

Research participant Jackie Hutchinson, said: “This research into the experiences of LGBT+ people affected by cancer is an important piece of work. Attending the consultation has already improved my experience of accessing healthcare for cancer as a bisexual person, because it gave me a chance to review things, share information and gain perspective. Monitoring of LGBT+ people is an important step to improve our experiences of service provision and reducing inequalities in healthcare.”

Recommendations in the report include providing LGBT+ awareness training for all cancer healthcare professionals; develop LGBT+ specific cancer information resources; and develop LGBT+ specific peer support groups for those affected by cancer.

Valentine Mulholland, another participant, said: “A cancer diagnosis is already devastating and touches on every part of your life. Providing the support cancer patients need means recognising who they are, including their sexual and/or gender identity and who their significant others are. Whilst the NHS services in Brighton were amazing, I did encounter some issues with a national charity and a hospital outside Brighton that were unhelpful at a time when the last thing you need to do is fight to be recognised. I participated in this research to shine a light on why all cancer healthcare services and providers need to be inclusive of LBGT+ people.”

Daniel Cheesman, CEO of Switchboard, said: “This is an important piece of research and one that highlights the barriers that LGBT+ people face receiving and experiencing care. Whilst there is so much good work happening with regards to equality, it is disappointing to learn that many people still face significant prejudices and at times when they are most vulnerable. Wrong assumptions are often made about a patient’s sexuality or gender identity and this is very damaging. It is encouraging Macmillan are so open to improving the patient experience for LGBT+ people and we welcome the opportunity to work with them through our successful improving health project.”

Richard Longrigg, Partnership Quality Lead– South East, added: “We’ve gained valuable insight from this work, about the experiences of LGBT+ people living with and affected by cancer. It’s shown what areas to consider to further improve patient experience; and where support and information is required to enable professionals to feel confident identifying specific areas of support relating to a patient, carer or family members LGBT+ identity. We would like to thank all of the participants, both LGBT+ community members and professionals, who volunteered their time to share their personal experiences to help us better understand the needs of LGBT+ people living with and affected by cancer.”