LGBT Populations' Barriers to Cancer Care

Abstract

Objective: To describe lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals' barriers to accessing and receiving quality cancer care.

Data sources: Published data on cancer care and studies of LGBT individuals.

Conclusion: There is a clustering of barriers among LGBT individuals, which suggests multiple inequities exist in LGBT individuals' cancer care, although data on disparities along the cancer control continuum are not consistently available.

Implications for nursing practice: Nurses can make a difference in LGBT individuals' cancer care by obtaining training on LGBT health and their cancer-related needs and by providing a welcoming and respectful relationship with LGBT patients.

Keywords: barriers; neoplasms; patient–physician relations; self disclosure; sexual and gender minorities.