Learn about coming out to your cancer care team and how it can improve your treatment and support options.
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Overview
At the time of diagnosis, you may not have told others you’re LGBTIQA+, or you may have shared this with some people but not others. Some people want to share personal information with their cancer care team, while others feel it’s not relevant or fear discrimination.
It can be hard to talk to your cancer care team about your sexual or gender, whether you’re out or not. But sharing this information can help you discuss your needs, preferences and values. It also helps your team recommend appropriate treatments, provide relevant information and connect you with LGBTIQA+ support groups.
Repeated disclosure during treatment
During treatment, you’ll see many health professionals and may have to explain your situation several times. You may need to decide whether to share information with each professional you meet.
This can feel stressful and tiring, especially if you’re unsure how someone will react. Inviting people in is a process; it’s okay to take it one step at a time.
Sharing personal information with your cancer care team
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When you may not have a choice
Sometimes it may be medically necessary to share information with your cancer care team, so they have the information they need to make a diagnosis or recommend treatment. This could include which reproductive organs you were born with, whether you have an intersex variation, or whether any sex characteristics have changed over your life.
People with an intersex variation may not have a choice about how much to reveal to their cancer care team if these details are listed on their medical records or in diagnostic reports. This can be upsetting. You may want to share your preferred terms for body parts and discuss how your intersex variation may affect your cancer care.
You can work with your doctors and treatment team to ensure your information is shared and discussed with respect, and that you are not outed or discriminated against.
What if I’m not out?
You may not be out to all your family and friends, and may not want your cancer care team to share personal information with others.
If you decide to share information about your sexual orientation, gender or intersex variation with your cancer care team, it may be reassuring to know that health professionals are only permitted to collect, disclose and use your health information with your consent or as legally permitted (e.g. to support your treatment).
If you’re worried, talk to your healthcare team.
→ READ MORE: How to come out to your health professionals
Coming out over and over again, because of multiple doctors and specialists, is hard.
LAURIE (QUEER, COLORECTAL AND OVARIAN CANCER)
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Key resource
The information on this page is also available for download.
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.
