Breast Cancer Disparities in the LGBTQ + Community: How to Move Towards Inclusive Care from Screening to Survivorship.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Breast cancer disparities for LGBTQ + individuals exist from screening to survivorship care and lead to worse breast cancer outcomes compared to cisgender, heterosexual individuals. The intent of this review is to provide information on differences in screening rates, risk profiles, treatment goals, and survivorship care plans in breast cancer care for LGBTQ + individuals, along with recommendations on how to reduce and eliminate these disparities.

RECENT FINDINGS

There has been an expansion in the recognition of LGBTQ + cancer care and preliminary data on the effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy specific to breast cancer development. However, healthcare avoidance of LGBTQ + individuals remains a large barrier to care. Recent studies have found that subgroups within the LGBTQ + community have distinct needs from one another. Specifically, the transgender and gender-diverse population face increased discrimination within the healthcare system with non-uniform breast cancer screening measures.

SUMMARY

Current research highlights the ongoing breast cancer disparities that impact the LGBTQ + community. There is a need for increased education on the needs of the LGBTQ + community to mitigate the breast cancer disparities in time to diagnosis and treatment, along with more tailored breast cancer survivorship care plans.