Tamara Thomas

Urban Health Today

LGBTQ+ patients have a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence and are more likely to decline their oncologist&rsquo;s recommended course of treatment, according to research published in JAMA Oncology.Erik Eckhert and colleagues studied ninety-two LGBTQ+ patients and ninety-two matched cisgender heterosexual patients, all diagnosed with breast cancer in a single healthcare system between January 2008 and January 2022. The median age at diagnosis was 49 years, and most patients in both groups had private insurance.About eighty percent (74) of the LGBTQ+ patients were cisgender lesbians. Thirteen percent (12) were cisgender bisexuals (13%). The other participants, about four percent, include a few transgender men, including four heterosexual, one gay, and one asexual.The study found that LGBTQ+ patients took longer to get diagnosed with breast cancer than cisgender heterosexual patients. Specifically, the median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was sixty-four days for LGBTQ+ patients and thirty-four days for cisgender heterosexual patients. However, once diagnosed, both groups received similar treatment with no differences in surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.Interestingly, LGBTQ+ patients were more likely to decline recommended treatments from their oncologist and instead use alternative medicine. According to the study, thirty-eight percent of LGBTQ+ patients declined treatment, while only twenty percent of cisgender heterosexual patients did the same.The study also found that the recurrence rate was higher in LGBTQ+ patients, with a three-fold higher risk than in cisgender heterosexual patients. Specifically, the recurrence rate was 32.2% in LGBTQ+ patients compared to 13.3% in cisgender heterosexual patients.&nbsp;Furthermore, the local recurrence rate was also higher in LGBTQ+ patients, with 17.3% compared to 2.5% in cisgender heterosexual patients.The researchers recommend conducting more prospective and population-based studies to investigate these differences. The aim is to use the results to develop healthcare interventions and improve the quality of care for LGBTQ+ patients with breast cancer.&nbsp;Source: <a href="https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/home/cancer-topics/breast-cancer/lgbtq-patients-breast-cancer-recurrence-higher-risk/">Cancer Therapy Advisor</a>

Payton White, BS

How Sleep Quality Influences Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's & Dementia

Lou Portero

Hidden Dangers: The Blood Sugar Crisis in Modern Breast Cancer Treatment

Diabetes in Women

New ACG Guidelines Address Critical Gastric Cancer Disparities in Non-White Americans

Gastroenterology

Latest News

LGBTQ+ Patients More Likely to Decline Oncologist-Recommended Treatments

Breast Cancer Disparities

A study found that LGBTQ+ patients took longer to get diagnosed with breast cancer and instead use alternative medicine. 

About Us

Editorial Policy

Contributors & Partners

Contact Us

eNewsletters

Work With Us

Advertising

Career Center

GU Oncology Now

Blood Cancers Today

Cancer Nursing Today

DocWire News

MashupMD

Food Allergy Roundtable Discussions

Allergy

Blood Cancers

— Multiple Myeloma

Breast Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Cancer

Diabetes

Heart Failure

Heart Disease Prevention

Heart Health

— Alzheimer’s Disease

Neurology

Public Health

Autoimmune Disease

Infectious Diseases

Obesity

Pediatrics

Sickle Cell Disease

Digital Health

Dermatology

Pulmonology

Video Insights

Workforce News

More

Gynecologic Cancer

Heart Disease in Women

Menopause

Reproductive Health

Women’s Neurology

Well Woman Today

Roundtables

Podcasts

Conferences

Viewpoints

Subscribe