Support from the National LGBT Cancer Network Many LGBTQI+ individuals who have and have had cancer do not feel welcome or understood in mainstream support groups, and transgender survivors have been specially excluded. There are very few LGBTQI+ cancer peer support groups across the country, and those individuals who live further from major metropolitan areas are unlikely to find one at all. A study conducted by the National LGBT Cancer Network confirmed that LGBTQI+-specific support groups were the top request made by LGBTQI+ cancer survivors. The National LGBT Cancer Network is currently running cancer peer-support groups. These are free Zoom peer-support groups for LGBTQ+ individuals who have or have had cancer. They are offered three times a week. Come hang out, say hi, talk about cancer, or about life. Click here to register and learn more: Cancer Support - National LGBT Cancer Network (cancer-network.org). Locally, Maine Queer Health is a program focusing on LGBTQ+ health access in Maine.
Breast Care Center Hosts Transgender Training for Staff The Breast Care Center in Scarborough recently hosted a Transgender educational session for their clinical care staff. The program included a presentation by Sebastiane Sacerdoti-Ravenscroft, consultant for the MaineHealth Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department, on the proper use of pronouns. The keynote speaker was Dr. NFN Scout, Executive Director of the National LGBT Cancer Network. Dr. Scout spoke about the unique healthcare needs of the LGBTQ patient population, as well as important considerations about pending legislation that has potential impacts on healthcare for LGBTQ individuals. The training ended with a roundtable discussion with clinicians from the Breast Care Center, Plastic Surgery, the Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic, and the MaineHealth Gender Clinic.
