Cancer screening for LGBTQ+ communities

Cancer screening for LGBTQ+ communities

Did you know: Our communities have higher rates of certain lifestyle factors that increase the risk of cancer, such as drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco/vaping.

Our communities are also less likely to participate in some cancer screening programs than the general population.

The good news is that cancer screening can detect cancer early, or even catch abnormalities before they become cancerous – resulting in much better outcomes.

Cancer screening processes can be confronting for us LGBTQ+ people. But there have been big improvements in how these tests are done over the years (hello, self-swab cervical screening!), and some progress in the healthcare sector to address the needs of our communities.

Just like STI screening, routine cancer screening empowers you to make informed decisions about your own health and wellbeing.

Keeping up to date with cancer screening means reducing the risk of harm from cancers – and even preventing cancer entirely.

Who needs to screen?

Cervical screening  

• Everyone with a cervix who has been sexually active, regardless of their gender, sexuality, sexual partners or sexual practices, should have regular cervical screenings from the age of 25. It is recommended that screening is repeated every 5 years, or as advised by your doctor.
• Some people may need cervical screening more often than every 5 years. This includes those with a history of high-grade cervical changes or who are immunocompromised (for example, living with HIV or taking long-term immunosuppressive medicines). Ask your doctor what interval is right for you.

Breast screening 

• All cis women, trans women and gender diverse people who have been on oestrogen for 5 or more years, and trans men and non-binary people assigned female at birth who have not had top surgery, aged 50-74 years, should get a screening mammogram. It is recommended that screening is repeated every 2 years, or as advised by your doctor.
• For people in these groups aged 40–49 years and 75+, you’re eligible for a screening mammogram, but you won’t be actively invited or reminded. Talk to your doctor about your personal risk to find out if screening is right for you.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are eligible and recommended for a screening mammogram from age 40 years.

You may also be eligible for other cancer screenings, like bowel screening and lung screening. There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to cancer and the LGBTQ+ community.

For an LGBTQ+ specific conversation on cancer, visit ACON’s CanWe website where you can find out more about what to expect from screening, access information for trans and gender diverse folks, take the In the Know quiz for personalised information about your own risk of cancer, and more!

Bring a letter to your GP

It’s not always easy to speak up and ask for what we need when it comes to being treated the way we’d like by healthcare professionals. GP letters help do the talking so we don’t always have to.

You can head to our sibling site CanWe and download a General or Comprehensive GP letter, which you can use to communicate with clinicians and medical centre reception staff about your needs. The letters clearly express the cervical screening guidelines for all people with a cervix regardless of other sex characteristics, gender identity, gender expression, sexuality or sexual history.

The more comprehensive letter allows space to indicate and explain:

• Your correct name and pronouns
• The language you prefer when talking about part of your body
• Any history of trauma and/or past traumatic experiences with pap tests
• How you would prefer the test be done (self-collection or by a clinician)
• A ‘safe word’ to stop the procedure immediately

When to see a healthcare professional

A healthcare professional can recommend the tests that are right for your body and your sexual practices. They can provide treatment straight away if you need it, check for any complications, and talk with you about re-testing or letting partners know. Regular checks are a simple way to look after yourself, your partners and your community.

See a healthcare provider if:

• you notice any unusual changes or symptoms listed above
• a partner has told you they have an STI
• you have had sex without a barrier (condoms, dams or gloves)
• you are starting a new sexual relationship
• it has been a while since your last sexual health check

Many STIs don’t cause symptoms, which is why routine testing is one of the best ways to stay on top of your sexual health.

Check out our STI testing guide for more on what happens during a sexual health check.