Cultural Competence in the Care of LGBTQ+ Patients: A Primer for Breast/Chest Centers

Abstract

The number of individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) has doubled over the past 10 years, and this figure continues to rise. The LGBTQ+ community is diverse, encompassing a vast array of differences in gender identity and sexual orientation. Additionally, it is inclusive of people from all races, ethnicities, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This intersectionality of identities and experiences impacts both access to health care and its delivery. Barriers to care for this population are multifactorial and include stigma, discrimination, bias, limited role models, issues with insurance coverage, lack of education and training for health care providers, and lack of research on LGBTQ+ health–related issues. Specific to breast cancer, the screening recommendations for this group are influenced not only by risk but also by gender-affirming hormonal and surgical therapies. This article will provide an overview of the LGBTQ+ population, review breast cancer screening compliance and recommendations, summarize the multitude of health disparities, and offer potential interventions to improve care delivery at the individual, facility, organizational, and health policy levels.

Holistic Sexual-Reproductive Healthcare Services and Needs for Queer Individuals: Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives

“…Other barriers to specific SRHSN access for genderqueer individuals include HCPs lacking healthcare competence concerning reproductive health priorities and treatment [16], and a scarcity of education and training for HCPs on genderqueer health-related problems [17], such as gender-affirming healthcare services like hormone therapy and genderaffirming surgeries and a lack of tailored knowledge to assist genderqueer individuals [12]. Furthermore, some barriers that inhibit genderqueer individuals from accessing their specific SRHSNs include HPCs using discriminatory words and treatment, displaying prejudice, and stigmatizing such individuals [12,[16][17][18].…”