Aims
Prior research suggests LGBTIQA+ people experience poorer cancer-related outcomes than the general population, partly reflecting reduced opportunities for healthcare engagement arising from gaps in culturally safe care. The visibility of LGBTIQA+ inclusivity on organisational websites can shape perceptions of safety and confidence to engage. This study aimed to assess the visibility and scope of LGBTIQA+ inclusivity across South Australian cancer treatment and support service organisation websites.
Methods
Websites of cancer treatment services (n=46) and cancer support services (n=19) were manually searched for LGBTIQA+ inclusivity, assessed as visibility (speed and ease of identifying content) and scope (range of content across six categories, including tailored resources, imagery, statements of inclusion, and partnerships or initiatives). Where no relevant content was manually identified, website search tools were used to confirm.
Results
LGBTIQA+ inclusivity was identified through manual searching on 11 of 65 websites (17%). Where content was present, visibility was generally high. Across the six scope categories, inclusion in anti-discrimination or diversity statements was most common (100%), while internally developed resources were least common (27%).
Conclusions
LGBTIQA+ inclusivity was inconsistently represented across cancer service websites; most lacked visible indicators, highlighting missed opportunities for visibility and implementation, particularly within public and regional services. Where present, inclusivity was generally easy to identify, though most commonly reflected generic diversity statements rather than substantive, internally developed resources. Organisational commitment to inclusivity and relevant digital content should be clearly embedded and visible on websites, extending beyond generic statements toward substantive inclusion, particularly for public and regional services where visibility gaps were most pronounced. Where such commitment or capability is not yet established, organisations should be supported to build cultural competency and communicate this digitally. Aligning visible indicators with genuine organisational commitment may support engagement and reduce inequities in cancer care for LGBTIQA+ people.