VBCF is proud to support and amplify the voices of all Virginians affected by breast cancer, including our LGBTQ+ community members across the state. We aim to empower every person facing this disease with the confidence to take charge of their journey and advocate for the care they deserve. In honor of June being Pride Month, we’re highlighting some recent news and sharing updated additions to our local and national resource lists.
Highlights from the American Cancer Society’s new study: “Cancer in People who Identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Gender-nonconforming (LGBTQ+)”
In this pioneering new report, ACS kicked off Pride Month by revealing data from a new study focused specifically on the cancer experience of people in the LGBTQ+ community – from prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment to palliative care and beyond. The importance of studies like this can’t be emphasized enough. Due to the lack of consistency in collecting information about sexual orientation and gender identity in medical records across the field, we know that the science, education, and policies around inclusive care still have a long way to go. Here are some key takeaways from the article:
- ‘One in 6 LGBTQ+ adults and 1 in 5 transgender adults specifically, avoid health care due to previous discrimination.’
- ‘Perhaps the greatest health disparity faced by the LGBTQ+ community is the presumption-of-care gap, which is the fear that a provider will refuse care due to gender identity or sexual orientation.’ (*The U.S. still has 9 states where medical professionals are legally allowed to refuse care. Thankfully, Virginia is not one of them!)
- ‘Although many cancer treatments are hormone-based and may interact with gender-affirming care hormone therapy, most transgender patients are not counseled about potential issues and clinical guidelines are lacking.’
- ‘Minority stressors faced by LGBTQ+ individuals can be individual or structural and include overt prejudice, rejection, discrimination, and internalized homophobia. Exposure to these stressors may lead to increased prevalence of mental health or substance use disorders and unhealthy behaviors that increase cancer risk…Reducing minority stressors by implementing interventions at the structural, interpersonal, and individual level is a crucial component of mitigating cancer disparities in LGBTQ+ communities. These interventions include establishing institutional safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals and programs designed to increase knowledge and empathy among providers.’
Click here to read the original article from Cancer Magazine.
Highlights from the Human Rights Campaign’s 2024 Healthcare Quality Index
This year marked the 16th Edition of the Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) – “the national LGBTQ+ benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities’ policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees.” The HEI evaluates over 2,000 facilities nationwide and seeks to promote equitable and inclusive care for Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, & Queer Patients by providing education to healthcare providers and collecting data with their program. For 2024’s report, VBCF was thrilled to see that the campaign reached a milestone of over 1,000 healthcare facilities participating in this year’s national survey.
Congratulations to the following Virginia facilities that earned a top designation as LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leaders in inclusive policies for their communities!
- Inova Alexandria Hospital – Alexandria, VA
- Inova Fair Oaks Hospital – Fairfax, VA
- Inova Fairfax Hospital – Falls Church, VA
- Inova Loudoun Hospital – Leesburg, VA
- Inova Mount Vernon Hospital – Alexandria, VA
- University of Virginia Medical Center – Charlottesville, VA
Click here to read the full report, search for a location near you, explore the interactive map, and access more resources for LGBTQ+ patients.
Are you a medical professional interested in registering your facility to participate in the HEI? Learn more about the program and how to inquire here:
https://www.thehrcfoundation.org/professional-resources/participation-request
LGBTQ+ Breast Cancer Resource Additions
Virginia Resources
Patient Advocate Foundation
https://www.patientadvocate.org
(800) 532 -5274
Based in Virginia with a national reach, PAF can assist patients and their families with a wide range of resources. Explore their National Financial Resource Directory, get help from a case manager, apply for co-pay relief, and more.
Diversity Richmond’s Community Resource Directory
https://www.diversityrichmond.org/resources
Organized by type of need, this is a wonderful resource list containing a full range of organizations providing support in VA and beyond.
Nationz Foundation
https://nationzfoundationrva.org
This 501(c)3 non-profit organization was organized to provide education on HIV prevention, inspire the community to take responsibility for their health and wellness, and work towards a more inclusive Central Virginia for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Programs include emergency housing assistance, a mobile testing & food pantry, and more!
Virginia Transgender Resource and Referral List
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/10/2019/04/TransRRList.pdf
Updated for 2024 & organized by region, this list provides a great range of health-focused resources for Transgender Virginians.
National Resources
CancerCare – LGBTQ+ Community & Cancer – Support Services
https://www.cancercare.org/tagged/lgbtq+
Provides free, professional support services, including counseling, resource navigation, and LGBTQ+ specific support groups.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s ‘LGBTQ+ with Breast Cancer’ Guide
https://www.lbbc.org/lgbtq-plus
Find LGBTQ+ breast cancer resources, healthcare communication tips, emotional support, and survivor stories. Get the free Allyship Guide to share.
LGBTQ+ Health Directory
https://lgbtqhealthcaredirectory.org
Use this customizable search engine to find LGBTQ+-friendly healthcare near you.
LGBTQ Caregivers
https://www.lgbtqcaregivers.org
Caregiver support & resources tailored to match the specific needs of the community.
Out 2 Enroll
Focuses on helping individuals enroll in healthcare if they are uninsured.
Click here to visit VBCF’s full web page of LGBTQ+ breast health education & support resources.
Are you a medical professional looking for resources to assist your patients? Download VBCF’s LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Guide for Medical Offices
We dedicate this blog in memory of Anne Maguire, a groundbreaking LGBTQ+ leader and breast cancer research advocate who passed away on December 29, 2023. Anne created many safe spaces throughout her career, including co-hosting the local radio broadcast ‘Gay Way’ from 1973 to 1980, and opening the bars Sisters and Somewhere, two favorite local hangouts for women. A mentor to many, she managed the campaign of Massachusetts’ first openly gay state elected official, Rep. Elaine Noble, who won her race in 1974. Diagnosed twice with breast cancer, she helped found the Silent Spring Institute, focused on research on environmental impacts on women’s health. She was the first board director of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition and went on to be a respected leader at the National Breast Cancer Coalition, with whom VBCF has worked alongside many years in our advocacy efforts. We hope to honor her legacy by continuing to promote breast cancer awareness and supporting our community members in need.
Read Anne’s full obituary in the Provincetown Independent from January 10, 2024.
