Why Inclusive Cancer Care Matters
Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate, but access to affirming care still isn’t equal. At Spectrum Medical, we see firsthand how LGBTQ+ individuals often face unique challenges when it comes to early detection, diagnosis, and survivorship.
Traditional healthcare models were built around cisgender and heterosexual norms, leaving many queer, trans, and nonbinary patients unsure where to turn for support. That’s why we’re sharing this guide to empower our community with inclusive, practical information and to remind you that expert, identity-affirming care is available right here at Spectrum Medical.
The LGBTQ+ Landscape of Breast Cancer
Historically, breast cancer awareness campaigns have centered on cisgender women. But breast and chest cancer affect people of many genders. LGBTQ+ individuals may face later diagnoses and more aggressive disease courses, often because of barriers like discrimination, lack of provider understanding, and inconsistent screening guidance.
A 2023 JAMA Oncology study found that LGBTQ+ people with breast cancer were three times more likely to experience recurrence, largely due to systemic inequities. Spectrum Medical’s integrated care model, which combines primary care, gender-affirming care, and preventive screenings for the LGBTQ+ community, was designed to address this need.
Understanding Your Risk: Tailored Information for Every Identity
Assessing breast cancer risk is a complex process influenced by genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors, and for LGBTQ+ individuals, it also involves social and hormonal influences often overlooked by traditional medicine.
Common Risk Factors:
- Age and genetics
- Dense breast tissue
- Early menstruation or late menopause
- Radiation exposure to the chest
At Spectrum Medical, our providers take a personalized approach that considers your full picture: hormone therapy, family history, social stressors, and lived experiences tied to your sexual orientation and gender identity.
Risk Factors in Sexual Minority Women:
Lesbian, bisexual, and other queer women may face a higher risk profile due to a confluence of factors. A 2023 analysis found that lesbian women were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than heterosexual women. This elevated risk is not biological but is linked to several trends observed in population studies:
- Higher rates of nulliparity (never giving birth) or having children later in life.
- Increased alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for breast cancer.
- Higher rates of smoking compared to heterosexual women.
- Higher average body mass index (BMI), as excess body fat can increase estrogen levels post-menopause.
These factors underscore the need for open conversations with providers about lifestyle and health history to create a personalized risk assessment. At Spectrum Medical, we emphasize preventive primary care visits that normalize conversations around chest health, body image, and lifestyle changes.
Transgender and Gender-Diverse Risk Factors:
- Transgender women: Estrogen use slightly increases risk compared to cisgender men; duration of hormone therapy matters.
- Transgender men: Those without top surgery should follow cisgender female screening guidelines. Even after top surgery, residual tissue can still develop cancer.
- Nonbinary individuals: Screening depends on anatomy, hormone use, and surgical history, something our gender-affirming care providers assess without assumptions.
Decoding Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines
Screening is the most effective way to defend against breast cancer, but many LGBTQ+ individuals avoid or delay it. Standard breast cancer screening guidelines typically recommend regular mammograms for cisgender women beginning at age 40. However, these guidelines can be adjusted to better suit the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals:
- Lesbian and Bisexual Women: Should follow the same guidelines as heterosexual women, based on age and personal risk factors.
- Transgender Women: Those who have used feminizing hormones for five years or more should discuss starting mammogram screening with their provider, typically around age 50.
- Transgender Men: If they have not had top surgery, they should follow guidelines for cisgender women. After top surgery, routine mammography is not typically performed, but self-exams and clinical exams to check for changes in the chest wall are still important.
- Non-Binary People: Screening recommendations should be based on the organs and tissues present. If you have breast tissue, you need screening.
If you’ve avoided screenings because of past negative experiences, Spectrum Medical’s team provides trauma-informed, body-affirming care in a private, respectful environment. We strive to eliminate these barriers with compassionate care that respects your identity, no judgment and no misgendering.
From Diagnosis to Treatment: What to Expect
If you receive a cancer diagnosis, the process from imaging to biopsy to treatment planning can feel overwhelming. Our care providers ensure that no one faces it alone. Spectrum Medical collaborates closely with oncology partners who share our affirming standards.
This includes:
- Coordinated care between your oncologist and Spectrum Medical’s care providers to manage hormone therapies safely.
- Support for top surgery planning when mastectomy and gender-affirming goals intersect.
- Mental health referrals for patients navigating dysphoria, anxiety, or body image challenges related to treatment.
We make sure your identity and treatment plan work together, not against each other.
The Spectrum Medical Difference: Care Beyond Treatment
Our role doesn’t end when your treatment does. Survivorship is a lifelong process for LGBTQ+ individuals emotionally, physically, and socially. Spectrum Medical’s integrated approach supports that ongoing recovery.
Primary Care for Survivors
Routine follow-ups help monitor hormone balance, bone health, and cardiovascular well-being after cancer therapy. Our primary care providers ensure continuity, especially if you paused or changed gender-affirming hormone regimens.
Mental Health & Emotional Resilience
We connect patients to inclusive therapists who understand LGBTQ+ experiences, body image, and trauma recovery. Support groups and peer connections through local partners help rebuild confidence and community.
Fertility & Sexual Health Support
Cancer treatment can affect fertility and sexual function. Our team helps patients explore fertility preservation, hormone management, and sexual health restoration within a sex-positive, inclusive framework.
Advocacy and Access: Navigating the System with Support
Healthcare systems can be daunting, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Spectrum Medical’s staff helps with insurance coordination, prior authorizations for screenings, and access to financial assistance programs.
We encourage patients to bring chosen family to appointments, ask questions freely, and use our intake forms, which include inclusive gender and pronoun options, to feel seen from the start.
Moving Forward with Strength at Spectrum Medical
Breast and chest cancer awareness isn’t just about early detection; it’s about visibility, equity, and empowerment.
Spectrum Medical is proud to stand at the forefront of LGBTQ+ healthcare in Phoenix, offering:
- Inclusive primary care for every identity.
- Gender-affirming care that supports the whole person.
- Preventive screenings designed for your anatomy, not assumptions.
Your health journey deserves care that affirms who you are. Whether you’re scheduling your first mammogram, restarting hormones after treatment, or simply seeking a provider who respects your story, Spectrum Medical is here for you.
Schedule your next appointment today and take the next step toward proactive, affirming care.