Developing, implementing, and disseminating best practices for enhanced collection of sexual orientation and gender identity among cancer patients to catalyze innovative cancer control research.

Substantial gaps exist in person-centered care to patients who identify as sexual and gender minorities. This project's main objective was to understand acceptability, feasibility, assets, and challenges around implementation of standardized sexual orientation and gender identity measures at the patient, provider, and organizational level at one National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. This analysis focuses on sexual orientation and gender identity data collected from October 2023 to October 2024. In addition, qualitative interviews were conducted with 100 patients and 30 clinicians to evaluate the impact of these questions on clinical experience. This study found that most patients provided valid responses to gender identity, sex at birth, relationship status, preferred name, preferred pronouns, and sexual orientation questions. Examination of the qualitative data suggests 3 main themes: support for sexual orientation and gender identity measures, appreciate inclusivity, and concern about sexual orientation and gender identity measures and implications for care. Findings from this study can contribute to the foundation for evidence-based recommendations for sexual orientation and gender identity data collection to provide cancer care that meets the needs of this medically underserved community.