SpringerLink
Log in

“Sex Can be a Great Medicine”: Sexual Health in Oncology Care for Sexual and Gender Minority Cancer Patients

  • Sexual Orientation and Identity (E Coleman & GN Rider, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Sexual Health Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Until recently, sexual and gender minority (SGM) people have been largely invisible in health care and health services research. However, understanding the needs and experiences of SGM cancer patients is critical to providing high-quality care, including needs and experiences related to sexual health. In this narrative review, we highlight that the literature on sexual health for SGM people with cancer is lacking, summarize existing literature on disparities affecting SGM patients with cancer, and discuss factors associated with these disparities. We conclude with recommendations and suggestions for future research in this area.

Recent Findings

Emerging evidence suggests that SGM people are at a higher risk for breast, cervical, endometrial, HPV-related, and lung cancers, as well as poor cancer outcomes, due to behavioral risk factors and health care system factors (e.g., lower access to health care insurance, discrimination in non-affirming care settings, negative health care interactions with providers). Additional research suggests that lack of clear guidelines for cancer screening in SGM patients, particularly for transgender and gender diverse patients, negatively impacts cancer screening uptake among SGM people. A growing number of studies have suggested greater sexual challenges following cancer treatment for sexual minority men with prostate cancer, while other studies highlight positive outcomes for sexual minority women following cancer treatment, such as benefit finding and resilience. Research on transgender and gender diverse patients is lacking.

Summary

Collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data across clinical enterprises and population-based surveys, mandatory health care provider training on cultural and clinical competency with SGM patients, and additional research inclusive of and focused on SGM cancer patients are key strategies to advance evidence-based clinical cancer care for diverse SGM populations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Germany)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. Gates G. How many people are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender? In: The Williams Institute. Los Angeles: UCLA School of Law; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  2. LIVESTRONG Foundation. Coming out with Cancer. Austin: LIVESTRONG Foundation; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Patterson JG, Jabson JM, Bowen DJ. Measuring sexual and gender minority populations in health surveillance. LGBT Health. 2017;4(2):82–105. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2016.0026.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Cathcart-Rake EJ, Zemla T, Jatoi A, Weaver KE, Neuman H, Kazak AE, et al. Acquisition of sexual orientation and gender identity data among NCI Community oncology research program practice groups. Cancer. 2019;125(8):1313–8. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.31925.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Grasso C, McDowell MJ, Goldhammer H, Keuroghlian AS. Planning and implementing sexual orientation and gender identity data collection in electronic health records. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2019;26(1):66–70. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocy137.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Cahill S, Makadon H. Sexual orientation and gender identity data collection in clinical settings and in electronic health records: a key to ending LGBT health disparities. LGBT Health. 2014;1(1):34–41. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2013.0001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Cahill SR, Baker K, Deutsch MB, Keatley J, Makadon HJ. Inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in stage 3 meaningful use guidelines: a huge step forward for LGBT health. LGBT Health. 2016;3(2):100–2. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2015.0136.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Boehmer U. Twenty years of public health research: inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations. Am J Public Health. 2002;92(7):1125–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Mariotto AB, Rowland JH, Yabroff KR, Scoppa S, Hachey M, Ries L, et al. Long-term survivors of childhood cancers in the United States. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev. 2009;18(4):1033–40. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-08-0988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Howlader N, Ries LA, Mariotto AB, Reichman ME, Ruhl J, Cronin KA. Improved estimates of cancer-specific survival rates from population-based data. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2010;102(20):1584–98. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djq366.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Bauer GR. Incorporating intersectionality theory into population health research methodology: challenges and the potential to advance health equity. Soc Sci Med. 2014;110:10–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.03.022.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Onwuegbuzie AJ. 7 steps to a comprehensive literature review : a multimodal and cultural approach. 1st edn. 2016.

  13. Quinn GP, Sanchez JA, Sutton SK, Vadaparampil ST, Nguyen GT, Green BL, et al. Cancer and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) populations. CA Cancer J Clin. 2015;65(5):384–400. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21288.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Viens LJ, Henley SJ, Watson M, Markowitz LE, Thomas CC, Thompson TD, et al. Human papillomavirus-associated cancers - United States, 2008-2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016;65(26):661–6. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6526a1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Frisch M, Smith E, Grulich A, Johansen C. Cancer in a population-based cohort of men and women in registered homosexual partnerships. Am J Epidemiol. 2003;157(11):966–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Boehmer U, Miao X, Ozonoff A. Cancer survivorship and sexual orientation. Cancer. 2011;117(16):3796–804. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.25950.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Jackson CL, Agenor M, Johnson DA, Austin SB, Kawachi I. Sexual orientation identity disparities in health behaviors, outcomes, and services use among men and women in the United States: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2016;16(1):807. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3467-1.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Ellingjord-Dale M, Vos L, Tretli S, Hofvind S, Dos-Santos-Silva I, Ursin G. Parity, hormones and breast cancer subtypes - results from a large nested case-control study in a national screening program. Breast Cancer Res. 2017;19(1):10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-016-0798-x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. McElroy JA, Wintemberg JJ, Williams A. Comparison of lesbian and bisexual women to heterosexual Women's screening prevalence for breast, cervical, and colorectal Cancer in Missouri. LGBT Health. 2015;2(2):188–92. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2014.0119.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Brandenburg DL, Matthews AK, Johnson TP, Hughes TL. Breast cancer risk and screening: a comparison of lesbian and heterosexual women. Women Health. 2007;45(4):109–30. https://doi.org/10.1300/J013v45n04_06.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Cochran SD, Mays VM, Bowen D, Gage S, Bybee D, Roberts SJ, et al. Cancer-related risk indicators and preventive screening behaviors among lesbians and bisexual women. Am J Public Health. 2001;91(4):591–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Kamen C, Blosnich JR, Lytle M, Janelsins MC, Peppone LJ, Mustian KM. Cigarette smoking disparities among sexual minority Cancer survivors. Prev Med Rep. 2015;2:283–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.04.004.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Conron KJ, Mimiaga MJ, Landers SJ. A population-based study of sexual orientation identity and gender differences in adult health. Am J Public Health. 2010;100(10):1953–60. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2009.174169.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Charkhchi P, Schabath MB, Carlos RC. Modifiers of Cancer screening prevention among sexual and gender minorities in the behavioral risk factor surveillance system. J Am Coll Radiol : JACR. 2019;16(4 Pt B):607–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2019.02.042.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Shires DA, Jaffee KD. Structural discrimination is associated with smoking status among a National Sample of transgender individuals. Nicotine Tob Res. 2016;18(6):1502–8. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntv221.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Azagba S, Latham K, Shan L. Cigarette, smokeless tobacco, and alcohol use among transgender adults in the United States. Int J Drug Policy. 2019;73:163–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.07.024.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Dhillon N, Oliffe JL, Kelly MT, Krist J. Bridging barriers to cervical Cancer screening in transgender men: a sco** review. Am J Mens Health. 2020;14(3):1557988320925691. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988320925691.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Kiran T, Davie S, Singh D, Hranilovic S, Pinto AD, Abramovich A, et al. Cancer screening rates among transgender adults: cross-sectional analysis of primary care data. Can Family Physician Medecin de Famille Canadien. 2019;65(1):e30–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. • Pratt-Chapman ML, Ward AR. Provider Recommendations Are Associated with Cancer Screening of Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming People: A Cross-Sectional Urban Survey. Transgend Health. 2020;5(2):80–5. https://doi.org/10.1089/trgh.2019.0083Importance: This paper is one of the few to focus on the experiences of transgender individuals in the context of cancer, specifically with regard to cancer screening.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. • Kamen CS, Alpert A, Margolies L, Griggs JJ, Darbes L, Smith-Stoner M, et al. "Treat us with dignity": a qualitative study of the experiences and recommendations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) patients with cancer. Support Care Cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer. 2019;27(7):2525–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4535-0Importance: This large national survey of SGM cancer patients highlights the importance of attending to relationship and sexual health issues.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Potter J, Peitzmeier SM, Bernstein I, Reisner SL, Alizaga NM, Agenor M, et al. Cervical Cancer screening for patients on the female-to-male Spectrum: a narrative review and guide for clinicians. J Gen Intern Med. 2015;30(12):1857–64. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-015-3462-8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Sonnenblick EB, Shah AD, Goldstein Z, Reisman T. Breast imaging of transgender individuals: a review. Curr Radiol Reports. 2018;6(1):1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40134-018-0260-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Buchmueller T, Carpenter CS. Disparities in health insurance coverage, access, and outcomes for individuals in same-sex versus different-sex relationships, 2000-2007. Am J Public Health. 2010;100(3):489–95. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2009.160804.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  34. Herek GM. Hate crimes and stigma-related experiences among sexual minority adults in the United States: prevalence estimates from a national probability sample. J Interpersonal Violence. 2009;24(1):54–74. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260508316477.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Ryan C, Russell ST, Huebner D, Diaz R, Sanchez J. Family acceptance in adolescence and the health of LGBT young adults. J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Nurs : official publication of the Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses, Inc. 2010;23(4):205–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6171.2010.00246.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Kamen C, Mustian KM, Dozier A, Bowen DJ, Li Y. Disparities in psychological distress impacting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cancer survivors. Psycho-oncology. 2015;24(11):1384–91. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3746.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Boehmer U, Ozonoff A, Potter J. Sexual minority Women's health behaviors and outcomes after breast Cancer. LGBT Health. 2015;2(3):221–7. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2014.0105.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Kamen C, Jabson JM, Mustian KM, Boehmer U. Minority stress, psychosocial resources, and psychological distress among sexual minority breast cancer survivors. Health Psychol : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association. 2017;36(6):529–37. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Hulbert-Williams NJ, Plumpton CO, Flowers P, McHugh R, Neal RD, Semlyen J, Storey L (2017) The cancer care experiences of gay, lesbian and bisexual patients: a secondary analysis of data from the UK Cancer patient experience survey. Eur J Cancer Care 26 (4). doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.12670.

  40. Jabson JM, Kamen CS. Sexual minority cancer survivors' satisfaction with care. J Psychosoc Oncol. 2016;34(1–2):28–38. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2015.1118717.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Obedin-Maliver J. Time for OBGYNs to care for people of all genders. J Women's Health. 2015;24(2):109–11. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2015.1518.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. •• Schabath MB, Blackburn CA, Sutter ME, Kanetsky PA, Vadaparampil ST, Simmons VN, et al. National Survey of Oncologists at National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers: Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practice Behaviors About LGBTQ Patients With Cancer. J Clin Oncol : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2019;37(7):547–58. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.18.00551Reason: This national survey of oncologists highlights the need for additional training about SGM cancer patients.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Rose D, Ussher JM, Perz J (2017) Let's talk about gay sex: gay and bisexual men's sexual communication with healthcare professionals after prostate cancer. Eur J Cancer Care 26 (1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.12469.

  44. Sabin JA, Riskind RG, Nosek BA. Health care Providers' implicit and explicit attitudes toward lesbian women and gay men. Am J Public Health. 2015;105(9):1831–41. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302631.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  45. Patterson JG, Jabson Tree JM, Kamen C. Cultural competency and microaggressions in the provision of care to LGBT patients in rural and appalachian Tennessee. Patient Educ Couns. 2019;102(11):2081–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2019.06.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Alpert AB, CichoskiKelly EM, Fox AD. What lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex patients say doctors should know and do: a qualitative study. J Homosex. 2017;64(10):1368–89. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2017.1321376.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Boehmer U, Miao X, Ozonoff A. Health behaviors of cancer survivors of different sexual orientations. Cancer Causes Control : CCC. 2012;23(9):1489–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-012-0023-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. James SE, Herman JL, Rankin S, Keisling M, Mottet L, Anafi M. The Report of the 2015 U.S. Washington: Transgender Survey; 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  49. • Haider AH, Schneider EB, Kodadek LM, Adler RR, Ranjit A, Torain M, et al. Emergency department query for patient-centered approaches to sexual orientation and gender identity : the EQUALITY study. JAMA Intern Med. 2017;177(6):819–28. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.0906Importance: this large study examines the attitudes of both patients and providers about SOGI data collection, and the modality in which that data should be collected. It is specific to the emergency department, however, And its findings may need to be adapted to oncology.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  50. Boehmer U, Glickman M, Milton J, Winter M. Health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors of different sexual orientations. Qual Life Res Int J Qual Life Asp Treat Care Rehab. 2012;21(2):225–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-011-9947-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Brown MT, McElroy JA (2017) Sexual and gender minority breast cancer patients choosing bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction: "I now have a body that fits me". Women Health:1–16. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2017.1310169.

  52. Ussher JM, Perz J, Rose D, Dowsett GW, Chambers S, Williams S, et al. Threat of sexual disqualification: the consequences of erectile dysfunction and other sexual changes for gay and bisexual men with prostate Cancer. Arch Sex Behav. 2017;46(7):2043–57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0728-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Rosser BRS, Kohli N, Polter EJ, Lesher L, Capistrant BD, Konety BR, et al. The sexual functioning of gay and bisexual men following prostate Cancer treatment: results from the restore study. Arch Sex Behav. 2020;49(5):1589–600. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-018-1360-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Hart TL, Coon DW, Kowalkowski MA, Zhang K, Hersom JI, Goltz HH, et al. Changes in sexual roles and quality of life for gay men after prostate cancer: challenges for sexual health providers. J Sex Med. 2014;11(9):2308–17. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12598.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  55. Ussher JM, Perz J, Kellett A, Chambers S, Latini D, Davis ID, et al. Health-related quality of life, psychological distress, and sexual changes following prostate Cancer: a comparison of gay and bisexual men with heterosexual men. J Sex Med. 2016;13(3):425–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2015.12.026.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Rosser BRS, Hunt SL, Capistrant BD, Kohli N, Konety BR, Mitteldorf D, et al. Understanding prostate Cancer in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender women: a review of the literature. Curr Sex Health Rep. 2019;11(4):430–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-019-00234-7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  57. Boehmer U, Timm A, Ozonoff A, Potter J. Explanatory factors of sexual function in sexual minority women breast cancer survivors. Ann Oncol. 2012;23(11):2873–8. https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mds099.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Boehmer U, Glickman M, Winter M, Clark MA. Lesbian and bisexual women's adjustment after a breast cancer diagnosis. J Am Psychiatric Nurs Assoc. 2013;19(5):280–92. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390313504587.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Oktay K, Harvey BE, Partridge AH, Quinn GP, Reinecke J, Taylor HS, et al. Fertility preservation in patients with Cancer: ASCO clinical practice guideline update. J Clin Oncol : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2018;36(19):1994–2001. https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.2018.78.1914.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Electronic address Aao. Fertility preservation and reproduction in patients facing gonadotoxic therapies: an ethics committee opinion. Fertil Steril. 2018;110(3):380–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.05.034.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Coccia PF, Pappo AS, Beaupin L, Borges VF, Borinstein SC, Chugh R, et al. Adolescent and young adult oncology, version 2.2018, NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology. J Natl Compr Cancer Netw : JNCCN. 2018;16(1):66–97. https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2018.0001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Fantus S, Gupta AA, Lorenzo AJ, Brownstone D, Maloney AM, Shaul RZ. Addressing fertility preservation for lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents and young adults with Cancer. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2015;4(4):152–6. https://doi.org/10.1089/jayao.2014.0048.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Tishelman AC, Sutter ME, Chen D, Sampson A, Nahata L, Kolbuck VD, et al. Health care provider perceptions of fertility preservation barriers and challenges with transgender patients and families: qualitative responses to an international survey. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2019;36(3):579–88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1395-y.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  64. Riggs DW, Bartholomaeus C. Fertility preservation decision making amongst Australian transgender and non-binary adults. Reprod Health. 2018;15(1):181. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-018-0627-z.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  65. Chen D, Matson M, Macapagal K, Johnson EK, Rosoklija I, Finlayson C, et al. Attitudes toward fertility and reproductive health among transgender and gender-nonconforming adolescents. J Adolesc Health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine. 2018;63(1):62–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.11.306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Bayer CR, Eckstrand KL, Knudson G, Koehler J, Leibowitz S, Tsai P, et al. Sexual health competencies for undergraduate medical education in North America. J Sex Med. 2017;14(4):535–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.01.017.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Everett BG, Higgins JA, Haider S, Carpenter E. Do sexual minorities receive appropriate sexual and reproductive health care and counseling? J Women's Health. 2019;28(1):53–62. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2017.6866.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Everett BG, Sanders JN, Myers K, Geist C, Turok DK. One in three: challenging heteronormative assumptions in family planning health centers. Contraception. 2018;98(4):270–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2018.06.007.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  69. Wingo E, Ingraham N, Roberts SCM. Reproductive health care priorities and barriers to effective care for LGBTQ people assigned female at birth: a qualitative study. Women’s Health Issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. 2018;28(4):350–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2018.03.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Keuroghlian AS, Ard KL, Makadon HJ. Advancing health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people through sexual health education and LGBT-affirming health care environments. Sex Health. 2017;14(1):119–22. https://doi.org/10.1071/SH16145.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Haider A, Adler RR, Schneider E, Uribe Leitz T, Ranjit A, Ta C, et al. Assessment of patient-centered approaches to collect sexual orientation and gender identity information in the emergency department: the EQUALITY study. JAMA Netw Open. 2018;1(8):e186506. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.6506.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  72. Alpert A, Kamen C, Schabath MB, Hamel L, Seay J, Quinn GP. What exactly are we measuring? Evaluating sexual and gender minority cultural humility training for oncology care clinicians. J Clin Oncol : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2020;38(23):2605–9. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.19.03300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Butler M, McCreedy E, Schwer N, Burgess D, Call K, Przedworski J, et al. In: improving cultural competence to reduce health disparities. Rockville: AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Reviews; 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  74. Bonvicini KA. LGBT healthcare disparities: what progress have we made? Patient Educ Couns. 2017;100(12):2357–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2017.06.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. McGarry KA, Clarke JG, Cyr MG, Landau C. Evaluating a lesbian and gay health care curriculum. Teach Learn Med. 2002;14(4):244–8. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15328015TLM1404_8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Kelley L, Chou CL, Dibble SL, Robertson PA. A critical intervention in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health: knowledge and attitude outcomes among second-year medical students. Teach Learn Med. 2008;20(3):248–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/10401330802199567.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Shrader A, Casero K, Casper B, Kelley M, Lewis L, Calohan J. Military lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) awareness training for health care providers within the military health system [formula: see text]. J Am Psychiatric Nurs Assoc. 2017;23(6):385–92. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390317711768.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Taylor AK, Condry H, Cahill D. Implementation of teaching on LGBT health care. Clin Teach. 2018;15(2):141–4. https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.12647.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Pratt-Chapman ML, Phillips S. Health professional student preparedness to care for sexual and gender minorities: efficacy of an elective interprofessional educational intervention. J Interprof Care. 2020;34(3):418–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2019.1665502.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Seay J, Hicks A, Markham MJ, Schlumbrecht M, Bowman M, Woodard J, et al. Develo** a web-based LGBT cultural competency training for oncologists: the COLORS training. Patient Educ Couns. 2019;102(5):984–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2019.01.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Seay J, Hicks A, Markham MJ, Schlumbrecht M, Bowman-Curci M, Woodard J, et al. Web-based LGBT cultural competency training intervention for oncologists: pilot study results. Cancer. 2020;126(1):112–20. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.32491.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Pratt-Chapman ML, Potter J (2019) Cancer care considerations for sexual and gender minorities. Oncology Issues.

  83. Ceres M, Quinn GP, Loscalzo M, Rice D. Cancer screening considerations and Cancer screening uptake for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2018;34(1):37–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soncn.2017.12.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Bristowe K, Hodson M, Wee B, Almack K, Johnson K, Daveson BA, et al. Recommendations to reduce inequalities for LGBT people facing advanced illness: ACCESSCare national qualitative interview study. Palliat Med. 2018;32(1):23–35. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216317705102.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. The Joint Commission. Advancing effective communication, cultural competence, and patient- and family-centered Care for the Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community: a field guide. Oak Brook: The Joint Commission; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  86. Bowleg L. The problem with the phrase women and minorities: intersectionality-an important theoretical framework for public health. Am J Public Health. 2012;102(7):1267–73. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2012.300750.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  87. Radix A, Maingi S. LGBT cultural competence and interventions to help oncology nurses and other health care providers. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2018;34(1):80–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soncn.2017.12.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by NIH grants K07 CA190529 and UG1 CA189961.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery and Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester, Saunders Research Building, 265 Crittenden Blvd, Box 420658, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA

    Charles Kamen

  2. School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Mandi L. Pratt-Chapman

  3. Grossman School of Medicine and Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University, New York, NY, USA

    Gwendolyn P. Quinn

Authors
  1. Charles Kamen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mandi L. Pratt-Chapman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gwendolyn P. Quinn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Charles Kamen.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

All authors report that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Sexual Orientation and Identity

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kamen, C., Pratt-Chapman, M.L. & Quinn, G.P. “Sex Can be a Great Medicine”: Sexual Health in Oncology Care for Sexual and Gender Minority Cancer Patients. Curr Sex Health Rep 12, 320–328 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-020-00285-1

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-020-00285-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation