Common questions about LGBTIQA+ people and cancer

It’s your choice what you tell your healthcare team about your sexual orientation, gender or variation in sex characteristics. However, sharing this information can help them  provide person-centred care.

This is care that treats you the way you’d like to be treated and listens to your needs,  preferences and values. It means that you are an equal partner with your healthcare  professional in planning your treatment and ongoing care (known as shared decision-making).

Research shows that many LGBTIQA+ people  do not disclose their sexual orientation, gender or sex characteristics to health professionals for fear of discrimination or harassment. To  get the best possible care, it’s important to feel  comfortable with your healthcare team.

Knowing more about your experiences and  how they have affected your health – such as your sexuality, fertility and any past trauma – can help your cancer care team provide safe and inclusive care. It also makes it easier for your partners (e.g. same-gender or trans partners) and chosen family to be recognised and involved in your care (for more on this, see Coping with cancer).

Much of this section focuses on the experiences of people with marginalised sexualities and  gender identities. Intersex people who are cisgender and heterosexual may prefer to read information specific to intersex people and then refer to Cancer Council’s general cancer information. General information is also  available from Intersex Human Rights Australia.

Health professionals are experienced in discussing sensitive health information and are required to keep your information confidential under the Health Practitioner Regulation  National Law (if they are a registered health practitioner). If the information is not already on your medical records and you think it’s  relevant to your cancer care, you may want to tell them about your:

• sexual orientation
• gender, pronouns, preferred name
• variations of sex characteristics
• preferred terminology for body parts medical history (e.g. surgeries, gender-affirming hormone therapy)
• concerns about preserving fertility
• concerns about the impact of cancer on gender-affirming care
• concerns about sex and intimacy
• history of trauma, including medical trauma, if it feels safe.

You may be reluctant to disclose these details, especially if previous experiences have affected your trust in health professionals or you are not “out” in all areas of your life. But being open and sharing information with your cancer care team:

• helps them consider all possibilities when trying to diagnose the cause of your symptoms (such as ovarian cancer in a trans man)
• ensures they have all the information they need to offer informed, safe and trauma-informed care for you
• means they can connect you with the right support services.

Ultimately, it’s your choice how much  information you share. You may tell only  health professionals you see regularly, or ask that some details are not included in your patient record (however, doctors should  include clinically relevant information.

In Australia, everyone has the right to: safe and competent health care; the right to be free from unlawful discrimination; accept or refuse treatment; and privacy and confidentiality.

• This means your healthcare professionals should:
• respect your body, sexual orientation and gender
• respect your partner/s and family
• listen to and respect your treatment goals
• respond to your care needs, preferences and values
• involve you in decisions about your treatment and ongoing care
• recognise when you may need for extra support, such as clearance letters for gender-affirming care during cancer treatment
• only collect or disclose your health information to others with your consent, or when required by law.

After a cancer diagnosis, you will need to make many decisions. To help you get the best care and treatment, it’s important to be involved in your care and feel able to ask questions. If you are concerned about the security of your health information, talk to your healthcare provider or ask to see a copy of their privacy policy. For more information, visit the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

For more general information on your legal rights, see Cancer care and your rights.

Each person’s experience of cancer is different. It can depend on the type of cancer, whether it has spread, and their age and general health. Cancer Council has free booklets and fact
sheets on more than 40 cancer types and their treatments. Call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 or visit cancerconnect.org.au.

Australian laws recognise how important carers are in supporting family, partners and friends. Under the Carer Recognition Act 2010 (Commonwealth), carers should have the same rights, choices and opportunities as other Australians, regardless of their sex or sexuality.

Similar laws exist in all states and territories, although the details vary. Laws about carers generally apply to unpaid carers and to government and government-funded agencies that support them, not to paid care workers. These laws set out a range of rights for carers, including the right to:

• be treated with respect and be considered as a partner by healthcare workers or providers
• support for their own health and wellbeing
• participate in family, social and community life
• opportunities to work and study.
• Children and young people who are carers also have the right to the same opportunities as their peers.

Partners or carers of LGBTIQA+ people may experience lack of recognition or discrimination. For example, health  professionals may mistakenly assume a  partner is a friend and exclude them from  discussions about your care, or direct  conversations to other family members.

If you have told your cancer care team about your relationship and your partner continues to be excluded, (see How to deal with discrimination). In Australia, spouses and de facto partners generally have similar rights. A de facto partner may need to provide evidence of the relationship to access some legal rights.

I was completely open about being a lesbian with a life partner and two children. My wife, Melissa, was acknowledged and respected by my doctors and the team. This openness was important because I became very ill during treatment and lost the capacity to speak.

JULIE (LESBIAN, OROPHARYNGEAL CANCER)

LGBTIQA+ friendly health services create an environment that feels safe and is supportive, respectful and non-judgemental. They don’t make assumptions about pronouns, your body, partners and families of choice. This is known as culturally safe care.

Connecting with a health service that  understands the needs of LGBTIQA+ people can help you feel safe and supported. They should include anyone you want to be part of your care plan, including your partner/s, family or chosen family. Where you live might affect availability of LGBTIQA+ friendly health services.

Finding health professionals you trust is  important at all stages of cancer. You shouldn’t  miss out on treatments, help with side effects, or follow-up care because you feel uncomfortable or have had a bad experience in the past.

If you’re treated as a public patient in a public hospital, you’ll be seen by the specialist/s  appointed by the hospital. If you have concerns, you may be able to talk to a specialist nurse, a patient representative or a patient advocate. Some hospitals have an LGBTIQA+ patient navigator who provides culturally-safe support to LGBTIQA+ people and advises health  professionals about inclusive care.

To find organisations that may help you navigate the health system as an LGBTIQA+ person, visit qlife.org.au/resources/directory.

You can ask to see a different specialist or be treated at another hospital or treatment centre. If you feel comfortable, talk to your cancer care  team about your concerns first; they may be able  to address these issues or help with the change.  Sometimes, it’s not possible to change services  (e.g. if the cancer needs specialised care).

You have the right to make a complaint about any aspect of your health care. This applies whether  you’re treated in a public or private hospital or  treatment centre. You can usually find details about the complaints process on the healthcare service’s website, or for public hospitals on the government department’s website.

You can also check with the cancer care  coordinator, nursing unit manager, social worker, or one of the nurses looking after you. If you’re unhappy about the  ethical or professional behaviour of a health  service, contact the health complaints  organisation in your state or territory.

If you think you have been discriminated against because of your sexual orientation, gender or intersex variation, see Dealing with discrimination.

Take time to make informed treatment decisions

You may feel that everything is happening too fast and that you don’t have the time to get a second  opinion. Ask your cancer specialist how soon  treatment should begin and how much time you have to make decisions. You can get a second  opinion or change your doctor even if you have started treatment.

Most people with cancer find it helpful to have support from others. This can include your  family, friends or wider community. You might lean on your partner/s or chosen family for support and comfort, particularly if you have limited or no contact with your family of origin. Not everyone wants support from others; some people are happy to manage alone.

If you would like support, there are many ways to find it.

• Call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20, visit Cancer Connect, or join
  Cancer Council’s Online Community.
• Use the LGBTIQ+ Health Australia member directory to find good sources of support.
• Contact QLife on 1800 184 527 or visit  to connect with others in a safe space.
• Speak to your general practitioner (GP), social worker, psychologist or other health professionals. They can link you with local services.
• If you’re aged 12–25 and diagnosed with cancer, you can chat with other young people at canteenconnect.org.
• Get practical and financial assistance

For more general information on how to find support, see Emotions and cancer.