Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

“I would have felt less lost”: Evaluating the LGBTQI+ People and Cancer resource     (145839)

Jenni Bruce 1 , Rosalie Power 2 , Jane M. Ussher 2 , Kimberley Allison 2 , Samantha Ryan 2 , Janette Perz 2
  1. Cancer Council NSW, Woolloomooloo, NSW, Australia
  2. Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Aims 

LGBTQI+ people experience inequities across the cancer care continuum, including higher distress, discrimination, invisibility, and a lack of inclusive cancer information.1-6 To address these gaps, Cancer Council NSW translated findings from the Out with Cancer Study into the LGBTQI+ People and Cancer booklet. Co-designed with LGBTQI+ people affected by cancer, community organisations, clinicians and supportive care experts, the resource aimed to provide tailored, affirming information for LGBTQI+ communities. This evaluation examined the booklet’s usability, adequacy and fit, impact on knowledge and coping, and potential to support inclusive cancer care.

Methods 

A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted using an online survey (n=43) and semi-structured interviews (n=11) with LGBTQI+ people with cancer, carers and health professionals. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative data with reflexive thematic analysis. 

Results 

Participants strongly endorsed the booklet as easy to understand (95%), well designed (88%), engaging (86%) and an appropriate length (83%). Most reported that it completely or mostly addressed their questions about being an LGBTQI+ person with cancer (72%). Participants reported that the resource helped, or would have helped, with coping with distress (78%), disclosure of LGBTQI+ identity (77%), and changes in sexual wellbeing and intimacy (72%). Qualitative findings highlighted the booklet’s unique value in validating LGBTQI+ identities, relationships and chosen family, increasing feelings of visibility and inclusion, and supporting communication with health professionals. The resource was also considered valuable for clinician education and promoting culturally safe care.

Conclusions 

This evaluation demonstrates the successful translation of LGBTQI+ cancer survivorship research into a practical national cancer information resource. Findings highlight the value of partnerships between researchers, cancer organisations, LGBTQI+ communities and health professionals in enabling inclusive cancer care, and support routine use and dissemination of LGBTQI+ People and Cancer within cancer services and professional education.

 

  1. Pratt-Chapman ML, Alpert AB, Castillo DA. Health outcomes of sexual and gender minorities after cancer: a systematic review. Systematic Reviews. 2021;10(1):183.
  2. Ussher J, Power R, Allison K, Perz J, Ryan S, Sperring S, et al. Out with Cancer: LGBTIQ+ Experiences of Cancer Survivorship and Care: Overview of Findings. 2025. https://doi.org/10.26183/j0qw-vc07
  3. Power R, Ussher JM, Perz J, Allison K, Hawkey AJ. "Surviving Discrimination by Pulling Together": LGBTQI Cancer Patient and Carer Experiences of Minority Stress and Social Support. Frontiers In Oncology. 2022;12:918016.
  4. Ussher JM, Allison K, Perz J, Power R, Out with Cancer Study Team. LGBTQI cancer patients' quality of life and distress: A comparison by gender, sexuality, age, cancer type and geographical remoteness. Frontiers In Oncology. 2022;12:873642.
  5. Ussher JM, Ryan S, Power R, Perz J, Out with Cancer Study Team. Almost invisible: A review of inclusion of LGBTQI people with cancer in online patient information resources. Patient Education and Counselling. 2023;114:107846.
  6. Power R, Ussher JM, Allison K, Hawkey A, Perz J, Out with Cancer Study T. "A sweating moment": impact of disclosure in cancer care on LGBTQI patient satisfaction. Journal of Cancer Survivorship. 2024.