American Cancer Society finds 'homophobia'... 'increase cancer risk' in LGBTQ+

[Jessica_Rose]

American Cancer Society finds 'homophobia' and 'discrimination' can 'increase cancer risk' in LGBTQ+ people

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/american-cancer-society-finds-homophobia-and-discrimination-can-increase-cancer-risk-in-lgbtq-people/ar-BB1kawbO?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=cae12ffd3677407d850cb1389b80523a&ei=27

Story by Jamie Joseph (19 March 2024)

A leading cancer research organization released a first-of-its-kind study outlining how LGBTQ+ individuals face an "elevated prevalence" of certain risk factors linked to the disease.

According to the American Cancer Society, there are certain "minority stress" factors associated with LGBTQ+ individuals, such as smoking, excess body weight, HIV and access to gender transition surgical procedures that exacerbate their vulnerability to developing cancer.

"Perhaps the greatest health disparity faced by LGBTQ+ communities is the presumption-of-care gap, which is the fear that a provider will refuse care due to gender identity or sexual orientation," the organization found in its 2024 Cancer Facts and Figures report.

There are currently nine states where providers can refuse to perform gender transition procedures for transgender people.