Joseph Lombardo1, Kevin Ko1, Ayako Shimada2, Nicolas Nelson1, Christopher Wright3, Jerry Chen1, Alisha Maity1, Marissa L Ruggiero1, Scott Richard4, Dimitrios Papanagnou5, Edith Mitchell6, Amy Leader6, Nicole L Simone7,8. 1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 2. Division of Biostatistics, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 3. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 5. Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 6. Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 7. Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. nicole.simone@jefferson.edu. 8. Department of Radiation Oncology, Bodine Center for Cancer Treatment, Thomas Jefferson University, 111 S. 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA. nicole.simone@jefferson.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: A disparity exists in cancer screening rates for the Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) community. We sought to understand the perceptions and baseline knowledge of cancer screening among SGM community members. METHODS: Survey administered via social media from June 2018 to October 2018. We asked 31 questions focused on cancer screening, human papillomavirus, emotional distress, and experience with the health care system. Those included were 18 years or older. Cancer screening attitudes and knowledge, as well as perceptions of the health care system were investigated. RESULTS: There were 422 respondents analyzed: 24.6% identified as female, 25.5% as male, 40.1% transgender, and 9.6% as other. 65.4% of the SGM community is not certain what cancer screening to do for themselves. Only 27.3% and 55.7% knew that HPV was a risk factor associated with head and neck cancer and anal cancer, respectively. Half stated their emotional distress prevents them from getting cancer screening. It was identified that process changes in making appointments, comforts during the visit, and formal training for physicians and nurses could increase cancer screening compliance for this community. The transgender population had a trend in more gaps in knowledge of appropriate cancer screening and significant excess emotional distress. CONCLUSION: Gaps in cancer screening knowledge and emotional and financial distress may be responsible for the disparity of lower cancer screening rates for the SGM population and the transgender population may be most at risk. Appreciating the cancer screening concerns of the SGM population can help shape future clinical and institutional approaches to improve health care delivery.
PURPOSE: A disparity exists in cancer screening rates for the Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) community. We sought to understand the perceptions and baseline knowledge of cancer screening among SGM community members. METHODS: Survey administered via social media from June 2018 to October 2018. We asked 31 questions focused on cancer screening, human papillomavirus, emotional distress, and experience with the health care system. Those included were 18 years or older. Cancer screening attitudes and knowledge, as well as perceptions of the health care system were investigated. RESULTS: There were 422 respondents analyzed: 24.6% identified as female, 25.5% as male, 40.1% transgender, and 9.6% as other. 65.4% of the SGM community is not certain what cancer screening to do for themselves. Only 27.3% and 55.7% knew that HPV was a risk factor associated with head and neck cancer and anal cancer, respectively. Half stated their emotional distress prevents them from getting cancer screening. It was identified that process changes in making appointments, comforts during the visit, and formal training for physicians and nurses could increase cancer screening compliance for this community. The transgender population had a trend in more gaps in knowledge of appropriate cancer screening and significant excess emotional distress. CONCLUSION: Gaps in cancer screening knowledge and emotional and financial distress may be responsible for the disparity of lower cancer screening rates for the SGM population and the transgender population may be most at risk. Appreciating the cancer screening concerns of the SGM population can help shape future clinical and institutional approaches to improve health care delivery.
Authors: Gwendolyn P Quinn; Julian A Sanchez; Steven K Sutton; Susan T Vadaparampil; Giang T Nguyen; B Lee Green; Peter A Kanetsky; Matthew B Schabath Journal: CA Cancer J Clin Date: 2015-07-17 Impact factor: 508.702
Authors: Henk Asscheman; Erik J Giltay; Jos A J Megens; W Pim de Ronde; Michael A A van Trotsenburg; Louis J G Gooren Journal: Eur J Endocrinol Date: 2011-01-25 Impact factor: 6.664
Authors: Vidisha Singh; Beau Gratzer; Pamina M Gorbach; Richard A Crosby; Gitika Panicker; Martin Steinau; Raiza Amiling; Elizabeth R Unger; Lauri E Markowitz; Elissa Meites Journal: Sex Transm Dis Date: 2019-10 Impact factor: 2.830