Episode 40: LGBTIQ+ experiences of breast cancer and cancer care

Upfront About Breast Cancer

We recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to this podcast, as some may find the content upsetting.

Let’s be Upfront about the extra challenges and different needs of LGBTIQ+ people when diagnosed with breast cancer. LGBTIQ+ communities have unique requirements and additional concerns and anxiety when dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis, including whether to disclose their sexuality to their medical team, whether they will be able to find the support they need, and anxiety surrounding discrimination and their treatment being negatively impacted.

Joining us for this episode of Upfront is Jane Ussher and Natalie Halse. Jane is a Professor of Women’s Health Psychology in the Translations Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University and is the lead researcher in the recent ‘Out with Cancer’ Study. Natalie is a registered nurse and a BCNA consumer representative with lived breast cancer experience of a LGBTIQ+ person.

We hear about some of the key findings of the ‘Out with Cancer’ study and its key learnings, discuss disclosure including how to do it safely, the positive benefits, and why some people are reluctant and also discover what to do if you experience a negative reaction from a health care professional and the support available.

This podcast was recorded in January 2022.

RESOURCES:

· Sign up to My Journey and access a range of resources on for LGBTIQ+ communities

· Visit and join our LGBTIQ+ Online Network to connect with people going through a similar experience

· Cancer Connect – 131 120

· National LGBTIQ+ Health Alliance – [phone]

· Switchboard Victoria – 1800 184 527

· Living Proud – 1800 184 527

· QLife – 1800 184 527

· Acon – 1800 063 060

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by Cancer Australia.

If this episode helped you or someone you know, you can support the show in the following ways to allow us to continue to be upfront with you and reach more people through meaningful content. Subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode, download so you always have an episode ready to listen to, leave a rating and review and tell us what you liked about the episode and complete the survey that you’ll find in the show notes. This survey will help us to tailor and create content that is relevant to our members and their breast cancer diagnosis.

Want to get in touch? Visit our website at bcna.org.au, email us at [e-mail], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258