Stress, Discrimination Add to Cancer Burden for LGBTQ+ Americans [Video]

Key Takeaways

LGBTQ+ people are likely to face discrimination when seeking cancer careAbout 20% of people live in a state where it’s legal to refuse care to LGBTQ+ peopleThese groups also are at higher cancer risk

FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 (HealthDay News) — While LGBTQ+ people have higher risk factors for cancer, they are apt to face discrimination when in need of high-quality medical care, a new report shows.

In particular, LGBTQ+ people have to worry that a health care provider will refuse to treat them due to their gender identity and sexual orientation, the American Cancer Society (ACS) report says.

That concern is particularly valid for the 20% of the U.S. population who reside in one of nine states where it is legal to refuse care to LGBTQ+ people, the ACS noted. Those states have “conscience clauses” that allow medical staff and insurers to deny care based on their personal or …