Resources for medical care providers & carers supporting LGBTQIA+ people with cancer
For carers
When caring for someone with cancer it’s important to also have someone there to support you. If you are an LGBTQIA+ person caring for someone with cancer we are here for you and can support you through this difficult time.
Email info@rainbow-project.org or call 028 9031 9030 to get in touch. We can provide you with one-to-one emotional support, as well as End of Life Workshops and Death Cafes to better understand the end of life journey and help with the process of bereavement or anticipated-loss.
Please see our Palliative and End of Life Care for LGBTQIA+ people for more resources.
For medical professionals
As a medical care provider, you may want to improve your confidence in providing personalised care to LGBTQIA+ people with cancer, and learn more about some of the issues people face.
The Rainbow Project can provide LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training to professionals and specialised training from the Cancer Champions Team on the barriers affecting LGBTQIA+ people in cancer care. Please contact training@rainbow-project.org to get in touch.
We have also produced inclusive Breast/Chest screening videos for Trans and Non-Binary people that may be helpful to use as a visual aid with your patients.
Please see our Screening For All page for more details. Feel free to share among colleagues and patients.
You can refer a patient into the Cancer Champions service at The Rainbow Project by emailing info@rainbow-project.org or calling 028 9031 9030 to make a referral. We provide support to LGBTQIA+ people over the age of 18 affected by cancer including those who have relatives or close friends who have had cancer.
Resources for carers
General Resources:
Greater Manchester Cancer Academy – LGBTQ+ Inclusive Communication
Outpatients – a guide to pronouns
Cancer-specific Resources:
UCATS (UK Cancer and Transition Service) – A service that provides support to Trans and Non-Binary people with cancer or a history of cancer where they feel it interacts with their gender-affirming care. They can link in directly with the clinicians supporting a patient and take both clinical and self-referrals.
Macmillan – Resources for Carers
Carers UK – Caring for someone with cancer
Coppafeel – Breast changes during transition
End of Life/ Late Term Planning Resources:
Marie Curie – Palliative and end of life care for LGBTQ+ people
Hospice UK – I just want to be me – A report on the experiences of Tans and gender-diverse people in accessing end of life care
Hospice UK – Trans and Gender diverse inclusive Handbook
Ash Hayhurst – Queer Funeral Guide
Resources for medical professionals
General Resources:
RCGP Learning: E-learning – LGBT Course Hub (Transgender healthcare for GPs, Creating an inclusive primary care environment, Mental health and suicide prevention, Screening Issues in the LGBTQ+ population, Sexual and reproductive needs of the LGBTQ+ community)
General Medical Council – Their guide to improving your medical practice for trans patients
Greater Manchester Cancer Academy – LGBTQ+ Inclusive Communication
Outpatients – a guide to pronouns
Cancer-specific Resources:
Outpatients – Provider Pack: Breaking down the barriers to LGBTIQ+ inclusive cancer care
Outpatients – TRANS:cribing: Clinical considerations for safe and inclusive prescribing for transgender and non-binary patients
UCATS (UK Cancer and Transition Service) – A service that provides support to Trans and Non-Binary people with cancer or a history of cancer where they feel it interacts with their gender-affirming care. They can link in directly with the clinicians supporting a patient and take both clinical and self-referrals.
Gateway C – Cancer in the Trans Community
The Society of Radiographers – Inclusive pregnancy status guidelines for ionising radiation
NICaN – NI Cancer Network
Coppafeel – Breast cancer awareness materials and resources
Coppafeel – Breast changes during transition
Screening Resources:
Eve Appeal – Tips for screening for screening trans and non-binary patients
Guys Cancer Academy – Supporting gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer: a resource for healthcare professionals
RM Partners – Cervical Screening in Trans Men and Non-binary People with a Cervix: Guidance for Primary Care
End of Life/ Late Term Planning Resources:
NHS National End of Life Programme – The route to success in end of life care achieving quality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
Marie Curie – Palliative and end of life care for LGBTQ+ people
Hospice UK – I just want to be me – A report on the experiences of Tans and gender-diverse people in accessing end of life care
Hospice UK – Trans and Gender diverse inclusive Handbook
The Life House Project – Transforming LGBTQ+ EDI training in Housing and Social Care through creative approaches.
Ash Hayhurst – Queer Funeral Guide
