Cultivating LGBTQ+ Competent Cancer Research: Recommendations from LGBTQ+ Cancer Survivors, Care Partners, and Community Advocates

• Published in: Seminars in oncology nursing Vol. 37; no. 6; p. 151227
• Main Authors: Waters, Austin R., Tennant, Karrin, Cloyes, Kristin G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.12.2021
• Subjects: Cancer care partner; Cancer survivor; Cancer Survivors; Caregivers; Competent research; Ecosystem; Gender Identity; Humans; LGBTQ+ cancer; Neoplasms; Sexual and Gender Minorities; SGM cancer; SGM cancer; Cancer care partner; Competent research; LGBTQ+ cancer; Cancer survivor
• ISSN: 0749-2081; 1878-3449
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2021.151227

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) or LGBTQ+ communities were designated as a National Institutes of Health (NIH) disparity population in 2016, yet research exploring SGM cancer disparities is still limited. Thus, we sought the insight of LGBTQ+ cancer survivors, care partners, and community advocates to learn their recommendations for cultivating competent and inclusive cancer research for LGBTQ+ individuals. We conducted a focus group with LGBTQ+ survivors and care partners of LGBTQ+ survivors who were 18 years or older (N = 8) and interviews with community advocates who are leaders in LGBTQ+ cancer (N = 8). The focus group and interviews were recorded, transcribed, and qualitatively analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis. Qualitative analysis elicited an overarching theme of cultivating competent research for LGBTQ+ individuals, including three subthemes: (i) Cisheteronormativity: An inhospitable ecosystem for LGBTQ+ patients, survivors, and care partners, (ii) Study design: Shifting from invasive ‘othering’ to a sustainable community-driven climate, and (iii) Recruitment and data collection: Ways to cultivate ecosystem health. Cultivating inclusive, competent research with SGM populations is crucial for addressing health disparities and improving cancer survivors’ and care partners’ health. Recommendations from LGBTQ+ survivors, care partners, and community advocates ranged from small alterations to systemic changes, highlighting the multifaceted yet feasible process of cultivating LGBTQ+ competent cancer research. The process of cultivating competent research for LGBTQ+ populations will take substantial investment from researchers, providers, and health systems.