Page 33 - BEQ Magazine Iss 20 Fall 2021 WebRev09272021

14 Social Networks & Support

SOCIAL NETWORKS & SUPPORT
study we have in the United States showed us that better care, but [they] still don’t want the journey to
>> Social support and networks are a vital resource for navigating cancer survivorship. For many in
be as rough or as long to get there.”
there’s one thing that’s more important for your
the LGBTQI+ community, their primary support team includes their chosen family, which may or may
not include biological relatives. Few LGBTQI+ survivors have participated in support groups, with many
Eighty-nine percent of respondents described
long-term health than anything else. What is that
describing difficulties finding welcoming spaces for their intersectional identities, including their
one thing? It’s our relationships,” said National their cancer treatment experience as welcoming and
cancer diagnosis.
LGBT Cancer Network Executive Director Scout, most said their primary care providers and nurses
Ph.D. (who goes by one name). offered culturally competent care. But welcoming
# OF PEOPLE AWARE OF LGBTQI+ IDENTITY # OF CLOSE FRIENDS
If social support and relationships are proven to care was not always easy to find. Eighty-eight per-
In general, how many people in your life know you are How many people in your life would you describe as close
LGBTQI+? friends (friends you speak with at least once a week)?
be crucial to surviving cancer, then how does that cent of respondents said they witnessed no environ-
33% 45% 12%
all or most translate for LGBTQI+ individuals, who are histori- mental indication of welcoming care at treatment
85%
people
cally marginalized in healthcare? two or less three to six seven or more
centers, making it difficult for survivors to inten-
half or less 15% close friends close friends close friends
The survey showed that tionally seek treatment
LGBTQ people often have from welcoming providers.
SEEN AS LGBTQI+ IN PUBLIC
alternative social support
In general, how often do people identify you as LGBTQI+ or Many said they relied
not LGBTQI+ in public? structures, choosing to rely on referrals from other
on friends, chosen family LGBTQI+ survivors or vis-
mostly LGBTQI+ 40%
and tribes than on legal ited multiple providers in
neither 45%
spouses or biological family order to receive culturally
mostly NOT 15%
LGBTQI+ members. Asked about their competent care, causing
primary support people, delays in care during a
64% of respondents said
FEELINGS OF SAFETY WITH DISCLOSURE critical period.
TO OTHERS
friends, 59% said current “This survey has some
Aside from healthcare professionals, how safe or unsafe do
you feel disclosing your LGBTQI+ identity to people in your life?
partners, 38% said siblings, really positive news,
29% said parents and 15% “ for example, that many
said former partners. My Tribe, to this day, people can get to welcom-
“Your emergency contact are my rock. My family, ing cancer care,” Scout
85% isn’t necessarily the person not at all. But having the said. “It also has some
*
8%
7%
safe who supports you every Tribe with me made all very clear areas where
unsafe
neither
single day,” said Dr. Don the health care industry
the difference in
*
Dizon of Brown University, needs to listen and act, for
5% cis male
8% cis female
a medical oncologist who the world. I owe each example how frequently
14% gender
expansive
is gay himself. “We need to of them so much. [LGBTQI] people want
help clinicians understand tailored resources and how
the concept of tribe and often we can’t find any.”
get away from the idea that your spouse is the only Finding inclusive support has been slightly easier
person you will talk to.” during the pandemic, thanks to relaxed telehealth
One of the greatest challenges for LGBTI+ indi- guidelines. This opens the door to more marginalized
viduals is identifying healthcare providers that people being able to find inclusive and specialized
are welcoming and inclusive, the study revealed. care. Efforts to retain those resources are underway,
Considering the recent climate in the United States including the proposed TREAT act (S.168/H.R.708)
toward the LGBTQI+ community, outing oneself as that asks for a temporary continuation allowing
part of a gender or sexual minority can be an added virtual care from any state without penalizing the
stressor on top of a cancer diagnosis. provider.
Scout said the research team was pleasantly The survey also revealed a gap in information.
surprised to find that “many people were accessing STORY CONTINUES ON PAGE 42
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