CANCER SCREENING CONSIDERATIONS AND CANCER SCREENING UPTAKE FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PERSONS

OBJECTIVES: To describe the current state of cancer screening and uptake for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons and to propose cancer screening considerations for LGBT persons. DATA SOURCES: Current and historic published literature on cancer screening and LGBT cancer screening; published national guidelines. CONCLUSION: Despite known cancer risks for members of the LGBT community, cancer screening rates are often low, and there are gaps in screening recommendations for LGBT persons. We propose evidence-based cancer screening considerations derived from the current literature and extant cancer screening recommendations. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The oncology nurse plays a key role in supporting patient preventive care and screening uptake through assessment, counseling, education, advocacy, and intervention. As oncology nurses become expert in the culturally competent care of LGBT persons, they can contribute to the improvement of quality of care and overall well-being of this health care disparity population.