, /PRNewswire/ -- In a first-of-its-kind study, the (ACS) today released " The article provides the latest statistics on the prevalence of cancer screening and modifiable risk factors in LGBTQ+ populations, as well as a review of literature on cancer occurrence and obstacles to cancer prevention and treatment. These important findings are published in the journal alongside its consumer-friendly companion, Perhaps the greatest health disparity faced by LGBTQ+ communities is the presumption-of-care gap, which is the fear that a provider will refuse care due to gender identity or sexual orientation. The concern is especially valid for the 20% of this population who reside in the nine states where it is legal to refuse care to LGBTQ+ individuals due to "conscience clauses" that allow healthcare providers, staff and insurers to deny care and services based on personal and religious beliefs.
"One of the biggest take-aways from our report is that LGBTQ+ people are probably at higher risk for cancer, yet experience multiple barriers to high-quality healthcare access like discrimination and shortfalls in provider knowledge of their unique medical needs," said , senior scientific director, cancer surveillance at the American Cancer Society and senior author of the study. "Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to prevent and detect cancer early, which is why it's so important to remove these roadblocks for this population." LGBTQ+ individuals in have elevated prevalence of smoking, exc.
