The Health Equity in Action: LGBTQIA+ Task Force  is comprised of members from non-profit organizations, the business community, those with lived experience with cancer, and government representatives and organizations.

There is a disproportionate cancer burden on LGBTQIA+ individuals and the LGBTQIA+ population is associated with increased risk and poorer outcomes for certain cancers. Such disparities in cancer-specific outcomes stem from the unique cancer risks, needs, and challenges, such as gaps in patient-provider communication and quality of care. Examples include fear of discrimination, negative interactions with health care providers, health insurance barriers, and outright denial of care.

 

The national survey of oncologists at the National Cancer Institute–Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers found that most providers feel they don’t know enough about the specific health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender patients. According to The Williams Institute at UCLA’s School of Law, there are approximately 60,000 people age thirteen or older that make up the LGBTQIA+ population in Maine. Health disparities associated with cancer care for LGBTQIA+ individuals is significant.

 

Therefore, the purpose of the LGBTQIA+ advisory group is to reduce health inequities for Maine’s LGBTQIA+ communities by partnering with stakeholders in Maine interested in reducing the burden of cancer within Maine’s LGBTQIA+ population.

 

Our Goals are:

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1. To increase stakeholder education and understanding of potential gaps in attitudes, knowledge, institutional practice behaviors, and interests in education on the care of LGBTQIA+ patients with cancer.

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2. To increase access to cancer-related care from prevention, screening, treatment, to survivorship for Maine’s LGBTQIA+ community.

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Help us create a Gender Affirming Provider list! If you would like to be added to this list please email dani@maincancer.org