News > Advocating for health equity for LGBTQ+ people with breast cancer

Advocating for health equity for LGBTQ+ people with breast cancer

Living Beyond Breast Cancer kicks off PRIDE month with Beyond Pink, a new initiative to raise awareness about disparities faced by the LGBTQ+ community in breast cancer care and promote allyship.

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June is PRIDE month, a time to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender achievements, legal rights, and pride. At LBBC, it’s also time for Beyond Pink, our new initiative to shed light on the disparities faced by the LGBTQ+ community in breast cancer care and promote allyship.

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Breast cancer affects all genders, yet the LGBTQ+ community often faces unique challenges when it comes to diagnosis, treatment, and support. Statistics show that LGBTQ+ individuals are less likely to undergo routine screenings, leading to later-stage diagnoses and poorer outcomes. Additionally, many members of the LGBTQ+ community encounter discrimination, stigma, and lack of understanding within the healthcare system.

We’re launching Beyond Pink to raise awareness about these disparities and bridge the gap in breast cancer care for LGBTQ+ individuals. We’ve updated and expanded the information on LGBTQ+ with breast cancer, published new first-person stories from the community and practical tips from experts, and LGBTQ+ community members who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer are sharing their videos on LBBC’s social channels.

Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or want to be ally, you can help to ensure a more inclusive and supportive environment for all those affected by breast cancer, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Here’s how:

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Get information and resources tailored to LGBTQ+ people with breast cancer

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, we have information and practical tools to help you understand disparities in health care and research for LGBTQ+ people and how to navigate the ways that diagnosis and treatment may impact your emotions, body image, sexual life, and family plans. We also share breast cancer risk, screening, and treatment guidance for transgender individuals.

Learn more
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Read stories from the LGBTQ+ breast cancer community

Mike Hooves: Beyond pink ribbons: A non-binary experience with breast cancer

Victoria Seamon: Empowering LGBTQ+ voices in breast cancer

Carissa Hodgson: Navigating breast cancer care as a queer individual

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Be an LGBTQ+ ally

We are committed to advocating for more inclusive care and creating a safe space for everyone impacted by breast cancer to feel seen and heard. Our allyship guide has tips on how anyone can support the LGBTQ+ breast cancer community.

Download allyship guide
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Follow LBBC on social media

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A round orange circle with a multicolored wave at the top. The LBBC butterfly and the words "Beyond Pink" are written.
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Glossary
About LBBC

Fern Glazer

  • Has worked at LBBC since 2021
  • Has far too many close family and friends who have been touched by breast and other cancers
  • Is a book lover, yoga practitioner, late-in-life cyclist, farmers' market fan, writer of short fiction and children's picture books, dog mom

Monisha Parker

  • Has worked at LBBC since 2022
  • Was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28
  • Authored two books and a blog after her breast cancer diagnosis in hopes of encouraging and inspiring others through sharing her personal experiences

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Living Beyond Breast Cancer is a national nonprofit organization that seeks to create a world that understands there is more than one way to have breast cancer. To fulfill its mission of providing trusted information and a community of support to those impacted by the disease, Living Beyond Breast Cancer offers on-demand emotional, practical, and evidence-based content. For over 30 years, the organization has remained committed to creating a culture of acceptance — where sharing the diversity of the lived experience of breast cancer fosters self-advocacy and hope. For more information, learn more about our programs and services.