Are you LGBTQIA+ and living with cancer?

Have you ever felt like parts of your identity or experience were not fully understood during your cancer journey? 

While everyone’s experience is different, Macmillan recognises that LGBTQIA+ people can face additional barriers across the cancer pathway. Alongside treatment, appointments and recovery, many people also navigate questions about identity, and how to communicate needs to others. 

Some challenges LGBTQIA+ people face: 

• Worrying if healthcare professionals will understand and respect your relationships or family structure. 

• Having to repeatedly explain pronouns, names, identities or family structures during treatment. 

• Feeling uncomfortable correcting assumptions about gender identity or sexual orientation during appointments. 

• Worrying if partners, chosen family members or support networks will be recognised in the same way as heterosexual or cisgender relationships. 

• Difficulty accessing information, support and screening services, particularly for some trans, non-binary and intersex people. 

• Worrying how cancer treatment may affect gender identity, gender expression or gender-affirming care. 

• Feeling invisible if cancer information or services do not reflect LGBTQIA+ experiences. 

• Experiencing higher levels of anxiety due to previous experiences of stigma. 

• Struggling to find people with shared experiences. 

These challenges can feel overwhelming. At Macmillan Cancer Support, we believe everyone should have welcoming, relevant and inclusive cancer support. 

We've collected some tips for navigating cancer if you are LGBTQIA+: 

• Take someone you trust to appointments if possible. They can help with emotional support, remembering information and asking questions. 

• Write down questions before and after appointments. Questions about gender and sexuality are important parts of cancer care, and it is okay to raise them. 

• Tell your healthcare team what is important to you. This could include your pronouns, gender identity, sexual orientation or family structure. You have the right to receive care that respects who you are. 

• Ask questions if you are unsure why personal information is being requested. Healthcare teams should be able to explain why information is relevant. 

• Look for signs that a service is LGBTQIA+ inclusive, such as NHS Rainbow Badges, rainbow lanyards or visible LGBTQIA+ information. 

• Connect with other LGBTQIA+ people affected by cancer. Peer support can reduce isolation and provide a space where you can feel seen. 

• Remember that support is available for more than just treatment. Many LGBTQIA+ people find it helpful to talk about identity as part of their wider cancer experience. 

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate LGBTQIA+ communities. But feeling seen, respected and supported during cancer treatment matters every month of the year. That is why the Macmillan Online Community has a dedicated LGBTQIA+ forum. It is a space where LGBTQIA+ people affected by cancer can connect with others who understand the unique experiences you may have. 

If you are LGBTQIA+ and affected by cancer, whether you are newly diagnosed, living with cancer, supporting someone else or adjusting to life after treatment, we invite you to join the conversation and connect with others in the Macmillan Online Community. Whether you are looking to connect with someone who has a similar experience, or share tips on how to cope, there is a space for everyone. 

Macmillan developed much of its LGBTQIA+ cancer information in partnership with OUTpatients, an LGBTQIA+ cancer support and advocacy charity. 

We also have information and resources available below: 

• Support for LGBTQIA+ people with cancer 

• Dealing with cancer treatment if you are LGBTQ+ 

• Living with cancer if you are trans or non-binary.