Health education materials made specifically for members of sexual and gender minority (SGM) groups play a pivotal role in SGM cancer survivors’ care satisfaction and experiences.
This is according to a study – “Overall Satisfaction with Cancer Care Among Sexual and Gender Minority People and Their Utilization of Identity-Tailored Health Education Materials” by Colin Burnett, Reece Lyerly, and Bill M. Jesdale – that appeared in LGBT Health.
For this study, the researchers identified 2250 SGM cancer survivors who completed the “OUT: National Cancer Survey,” conducted by the National LGBT Cancer Network in 2020–2021, and classified participants by their self-reported satisfaction with overall cancer care. They then examined care satisfaction in relation to use of SGM-tailored health education resources and factors surrounding their SGM identities, which may influence their satisfaction, including feelings of safety with care teams.
The study found that:
- regardless of satisfaction with overall care, substantial proportions of survivors reported lacking vital health education resources specific to their SGM identities
- areas where the lack was found included mental health (69%), physical activity (91%), tobacco use cessation (89%), and alcohol consumption (86%)
- among SGM survivors who felt safe with members of their care team knowing their SGM identity, only 3% were less than satisfied with their overall cancer care, compared to 38% who felt unsafe
“SGM survivors value tailored information and health education resources that incorporate their intersectional identities,” stressed the researchers.
They, therefore, recommend that:
- more research must be done to elucidate why SGM survivors do not receive these materials, while creating spaces where they feel safe receiving care; and
- focus be given on increased delivery of SGM-tailored materials and prioritization of SGM safety in health care as these may have implications for overall cancer care satisfaction among SGM survivors.
