If you are LGBTIQA+, here are some ways to manage challenges you may face when navigating the health care system.
- See a health professional who is affirming of your gender. To find a suitable doctor, use word of mouth or visit transhub.org.au or auspath.org.au.
- Look for services that are trans friendly.
- Plan ahead as cancer care teams may request clearance letters from your gender-affirming care team.
- Tell your cancer care team about your relevant anatomy, the sex you were assigned at birth, and any hormone therapy you’re taking. This can help the team recommend treatments and give you information that is right for you.
- Ask the receptionist to update your record with your name and pronouns, or consider wearing a pronoun badge or pin.
- Practise what you want to say to your doctor before an appointment to help the words come out more easily. Or read from a pre-prepared letter. Avoiding eye contact may make it easier.
- Let your health professionals know what language you prefer with for body parts.
- Bring someone you trust to your appointments for support. They can speak for you if you don’t know what to say.
- Use the Genders, Bodies and Relationships Passport to make telling your health professionals about your gender, body and relationships easier. Visit lgbtiqhealth.org.au/passport for more information and to order a copy.
- Explain what is important to you. This may include concerns about continuing gender-affirming treatment.
- Visit canwe.org.au to find screening programs that are right for you.
- If you think you’ve been treated inappropriately, consider making a complaint. See also Dealing with discrimination.
→ READ MORE: How cancer affects trans and gender-diverse people
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This resource was developed as part of the Western Sydney University Out with Cancer research project.
Prof Alison Brand, Clinical Professor, The University of Sydney and Director, Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Dr Daniel Brown, Clinical Psychologist and Researcher, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, VIC; Dr Rosalie Power, Senior Research Fellow and Deputy HDR Director, Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, NSW; Dr Sarah Bishop Browne, Palliative and Supportive Care Staff Specialist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Collette Butler, Clinical Nurse Consultant and McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Cancer Support Centre, Launceston, TAS; Prof Ada Cheung, Endocrinologist, NHMRC and Dame Kate Campbell Research Fellow and Head, Trans Health Research Group, The University of Melbourne, VIC; Dr Tiffany Daly, Radiation Oncologist, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Raymond Terrace, QLD; A/Prof Ian Faragher, The University of Melbourne and Head, Colorectal and General Surgery Unit, Western Health, VIC; Hall & Wilcox (law firm); A/Prof Peter Heathcote, Urologist, Brisbane Urology Clinic, QLD; Prof Richard Hillman, Senior Staff Specialist, HIV and Immunology, St Vincent’s Health Network, Sydney, NSW; Mads Kennedy, Project Coordinator, Silver Rainbow, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, NSW; Dr Sanjeev Kumar, Breast Cancer Medical Oncologist and Clinician Scientist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Madeline Lee, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council NSW; Luke Mitchell, Urological and Sexual Health Nurse Practitioner, Men’s Health Melbourne, VIC; Nadia Reddish, Consumer; Dr Stephen Rowles, Sexual Health Physician and General Practitioner, The Centre Clinic and Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, VIC; Teresa Simpson, Senior Clinician, Psycho-Oncology Social Work Service, Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, NSW; Mel Tume, Consumer; Prof Jane Ussher, Professor of Women’s Health Psychology and Chief Investigator, Out with Cancer Study, Western Sydney University, NSW; Syr Lumi Vor, Community Member; John Wenborn, Shine a Light (LGBTQIA+ Cancer Support Group). We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who worked on the first the edition of this title. We particularly acknowledge ACON and Intersex Human Rights Australia for their extensive input on the first edition. Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag designed by Valentino Vecchietti (2021).
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
