We’re creating an inclusive organisation for our people from the shop floor to the lab to make the greatest progress in our collective fight against cancer.
Together we are beating cancer. And beating cancer means beating it for everyone.
We want equal access to cancer care for everyone. But right now, the LGBTQIA+ community experience inequalities throughout their cancer journey from access to screening and diagnosis, clinical care, communication and overall experience.
In 2021, the Joint Collegiate Council for Oncology and the Association of Cancer Physicians produced a statement on how to improve cancer care for the LGBTQIA+ community. We talked to the lead author of the statement, Dr Alison Berner, a cancer doctor and gender identity specialist, about how we can improve cancer care for the LGBTQIA+ community.
In 2023, we’ve gathered the ways UK organisations are tackling LGBTQIA+ inequalities through training doctors in inclusive cancer care, offering specialist care for trans people, personalising care and gathering missing cancer data because we can’t solve the problems we can’t see.“By focusing on all the minorities, “you get the majority.” Dr Alison Berner, cancer doctor and gender identity specialist.
How can we improve LGBTQIA+ cancer care? – That Cancer ConversationFor our podcast That Cancer Conversation, we spoke to Dr Alison Berner and CEO of the LGBTQIA+ cancer charity OUTpatients (formerly Live Through This), Stewart O’Callaghan. Recorded in 2023, we dive into inequalities and what we can do to make cancer care more inclusive for everyone.
Cancer screening can find cancer at an early stage when treatment is more likely to be successful, or even prevent it from developing in the first place. Transgender and non-binary people may face additional barriers to attending screenings including not getting invites, confusion over who’s eligible and gender dysphoria. We want to try to remove barriers so that everyone has the choice to attend.
I’m trans or non-binary, does this affect my cancer screening?
Help spot cancer early with cervical, breast and bowel screening for transgender or non-binary people.
Research shows that one size doesn’t fit all for cervical screening in the trans and non-binary community. Cervical screening is for anyone aged 25–64 with a cervix. Learn more about removing barriers to cervical screening in the trans and non-binary community.
We don’t just celebrate Pride once a year, we celebrate it every day. Discover how we’re championing the LGBTQIA+ community beyond Pride month.
We believe that having equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at the heart of our work is the best way to beat cancer. Creating a diverse workforce and inclusive culture which supports people to reach their full potential is an important priority for us.
Celebrate Pride with us! Join us at different events across the country.
We hope to see you there!
Our Pride network is for all LGBTQIA+ staff and allies. We meet to discuss progress, new challenges and interesting topics related to our communities within and outside the charity. Across the year, we put on a range of educational and awareness raising events for all staff and organise Cancer Research UK at the Pride in London parade.
Inclusivity is vital to achieving our goal of beating cancer and we’re proud to support and work along side the LGBTQIA+ community in our work.
Our LGBTQIA+ researchers are making more tomorrows possible. Hear from of our scientists on the power of diversity and why bringing your full self to research is so important.
We know it can be hard to talk about cancer or your health, but we’re here for anyone who needs us. Our trained nurses offer free, confidential, non-judgemental support for everyone, Monday – Friday 9am–5pm
Our fully moderated Cancer Chat forum is a safe space for you to connect to others in your cancer community and get support.
OUTpatients (formerly Live Through This) are an organisation who support and advocate for LGBTQIA+ people affected by cancer. Their goal is to help patients, survivors, partners and caregivers feel welcome and supported in cancer services.
With our online shop, every purchase supports life-saving research. And we have a fantastic selection of Pride rainbow items to choose from.
It's thanks to the generosity of our supporters that we can continue to make progress for all people affected by cancer. And it’s working, over the last 50 years, we’ve doubled cancer survival in the UK.
Our volunteers are at the heart of our communities. From shops to events to volunteers, find the right opportunity to get involved, learn new skills and help beat cancer.
