Finding out you have cancer can be difficult for anyone to deal with. Research has shown that the outcomes of cancer and its treatment can be different for LGBTIQA+ people.
Learn more about:
- How you might feel
- Dealing with feelings of sadness
- Diversity of experience
- Fear of discrimination
- Coming out to your cancer care team
- How to come out to your health professionals
How you might feel
After a cancer diagnosis and throughout treatment, it’s common to feel a range of strong emotions including anger, fear, anxiety, sadness, grief and resentment. Research shows that LGBTIQA+ people may have greater risk of mental and emotional distress after a cancer diagnosis for several reasons.
You may feel anxious about disclosing personal information to health professionals, fear discrimination because of your sexual orientation, gender or intersex variation, or worry about
how cancer and its treatment will affect your identity or relationships.
Some people have experienced stigma or shame for being LGBTIQA+. They may blame themselves for delaying getting cancer symptoms checked, or feel judged by others. It’s natural to feel vulnerable while having cancer treatment.
If you are distressed, anxious or feeling low or depressed, appropriate support and information is available.
For more information on coping with a cancer diagnosis, see Emotions and Cancer and Just Diagnosed.
Cancer sucks but it has forced me to choose how I genuinely want to live the rest of my life. That choice has opened doors and possibilities I had never dreamed of.
NADIA (TRANSGENDER WOMAN, PROSTATE CANCER)
Dealing with feelings of sadness
If you continue to feel sad, numb or irritable, find it hard to get up in the morning, or lose interest in activities that you once enjoyed, you may be experiencing depression. This is quite common after a
cancer diagnosis.
Everyone has their own way of coping with their emotions. It’s important to give yourself, and those around you, time to deal with the strong emotions that cancer can cause. For support, call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20. People aged 12–25 can also call Canteen on 1800 945 215.
If you think you may be depressed, talk to your GP, because counselling or medication – even for a short time – may help. Some people can get a Medicare rebate for sessions with a psychologist.
To connect with LGBTIQA+SB peer support, call QLife on 1800 184 527. For information about coping with depression and anxiety, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline 13 11 14.
→ READ MORE: Diversity of experience
Podcast: Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis
Listen to more of our podcast for people affected by cancer
We thank the chief investigators from the Out with Cancer research project: Prof Jane Ussher, Prof Janette Perz, Prof Martha Hickey, Prof Suzanne Chambers, Prof Gary Dowsett, Prof Ian Davis, Prof Katherine Boydell, Prof Kerry Robinson and Dr Chloe Parton. Partner investigators were Dr Fiona McDonald and A/Prof Antoinette Anazodo. Research Associates were Dr Rosalie Power, Dr Kimberley Allison and Dr Alexandra J. Hawkey.
We thank the reviewers of our LGBTQI+ People and Cancer booklet: Prof Jane Ussher, Chair, Women’s Heath Psychology and Chief Investigator, Out with Cancer study, Western Sydney University, NSW; ACON; Dr Kimberley Allison, Out with Cancer study, Western Sydney University, NSW; Dr Katherine Allsopp, Supportive and Palliative Care Specialist, Westmead Hospital, NSW; A/Prof Antoinette Anazodo OAM, Paediatric and Adolescent Oncologist, Sydney Children’s Hospital, NSW; Megan Bathgate, Consumer; Gregory Bock, Clinical Nurse Consultant–Oncology Coordinator, Urology Cancer Nurse Coordination Service, WA Cancer & Palliative Care Network, WA; Morgan Carpenter, Executive Director, Intersex Human Rights Australia (formerly OII Australia); Prof Lorraine Chantrill, Medical Co-Director Cancer Services, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, NSW; A/Prof Ada Cheung, Endocrinologist, Head, Trans Health Research Group, Department of Medicine (Austin Health), The University of Melbourne, VIC; Bonney Corbin, Australian Women’s Health Network; Cristyn Davies, Research Fellow, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, NSW; Prof Ian Davis, Professor of Medicine, Monash University and Eastern Health, Medical Oncologist, Eastern Health, Chair, ANZUP Cancer Trials Group, VIC; Rebecca Dominguez, President, Bisexual Alliance Victoria; Liz Duck-Chong, Projects Coordinator, TransHub and Trans Health Equity, ACON, NSW; Lauren Giordano, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council NSW; Hall & Wilcox (law firm); Natalie Halse, BCNA Consumer Representative; Jem Hensley, Consumer; Prof Martha Hickey, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, and Director of the Gynaecology Research Centre, The Women’s Hospital, VIC; Kim Hobbs, Clinical Specialist Social Worker – Gynaecological Cancer, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Dr Laura Kirsten, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Nepean Cancer Care Centre, NSW; Amber Loomis, Policy and Research Coordinator, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia; Julie McCrossin and Melissa Gibson, Consumers; Dr Fiona McDonald, Research Manager, Canteen, NSW; Dr Gary Morrison, Shine a Light (LGBTQIA+ Cancer Support Group); Penelope Murphy, Cancer Council NSW Liaison, Prince of Wales Hospital, NSW; Dr Rosalie Power, Out with Cancer study, Western Sydney University, NSW; Jan Priaulx, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council NSW; Paul Scott-Williams, Consumer; Simone Sheridan, Sexual Health Nurse Consultant, Sexual Health Services, Austin Health, VIC; Cheryl Waller and Rhonda Beach, Consumers.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
