We don’t know what causes many cancers, but some risk factors are more common among LGBTIQA+ people. Risk factors for intersex people depend on their variation. Cancer risk has often been used as a reason for medical treatment of intersex people during childhood.
Learn more about:
- Delaying or avoiding cancer screening
- Higher risk for smoking- and alcohol-related cancers
- Higher risk of HPV (human papillomavirus)
- Living with HIV
- Lower rates of pregnancy
Delaying or avoiding cancer screening
Some LGBTIQA+ people may think that screening tests do not apply to them, feel unsafe in the healthcare system, or worry about discrimination. Trans, gender-diverse and intersex people may also not receive reminders because healthcare systems can’t record both gender identity and anatomy. Some LGBTIQA+ people may find screening distressing. Missing screening can delay cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Cancer screening for LGBTIQA+ people
Screening is organised testing to find cancer before any symptoms start. Finding cancer early often makes it easier to treat. In Australia, there are screening programs for breast, cervical, bowel and lung cancer. Most people with a Medicare card and in certain age groups will be invited by mail to be screened.
LGBTIQA+ people may face barriers to screening. Anyone with a cervix (including lesbian women, trans men and non-binary people), and some intersex people, should have cervical screening. You can collect your own sample in a private space at a healthcare clinic or sometimes at home – ask your doctor or nurse if this is an option for you.
Australia does not have a formal prostate screening program, but people with a prostate, including those having gender‑affirming care, should talk to their doctor about the benefits and risks of prostate checks.
Ask your doctor what screening tests are right for you.
For more information on screening, visit Can We or transhub.org.au/cancer-screening.
Higher risk for smoking- and alcohol-related cancers
Studies show LGBTIQA+ people report higher rates of smoking and alcohol use because of issues such as minority stress and lack of support. Smoking or drinking alcohol increase the risk of several cancers.
Higher risk of HPV (human papillomavirus)
HPV is a common infection that can cause cancers, including cervical, anal, throat, penile, vulvar and vaginal cancer. It can spread through sex, oral sex, fingers and shared sex toys. The HPV vaccine helps protect against the virus. For more information, visit hpvvaccine.org.au and The Bottom Line.
Living with HIV
HIV can increase the risk of certain skin cancers (e.g. Kaposi sarcoma, Merkel cell carcinoma and melanoma), anal, cervical, liver, lung, mouth and throat cancers, and lymphoma.
Lower rates of pregnancy
Pregnancy before age 30 and breastfeeding may lower the risk of breast cancer. Pregnancy and using oral contraceptives may also lower the risk of certain gynaecological cancers (e.g. ovarian and uterine cancer). Some LGBTIQA+ people are less likely than cisgender heterosexual women to have a child before age 30 or use an oral contraceptive, so they may not get these protective effects.
In Australia, about 170,000 people are diagnosed with cancer (excluding common skin cancers) each year, and about 1.6 million people are living with or beyond cancer. LGBTIQA+ people make up an estimated 5% of the population. This means about 8500 LGBTIQA+ people are likely to be diagnosed with cancer each year, and about 80,000 are cancer survivors.
Key resource
The information on this page is also available for download.
This resource was developed as part of the Western Sydney University Out with Cancer research project.
We thank the reviewers of our LGBTQI+ People and Cancer booklet: 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.
