There Is No Place for Bigotry in Cancer Care

[Darryl]

The way we live, love, and connect is how we tell the world who we are. Patients from sexual and gender minorities deserve treatment that respects and honors their unique needs, presentations, and desires. Why, in 2022, does a concept so obvious need to be stated? Please read the following and share your thoughts below.

connection.asco.org/blogs/t...

[Tall_Allen]

Great essay, Darryl!

How big a problem is it? My experience is that at the individual doctor level, it's not a problem at all. But I live in L.A., which is a bubble. Maybe Malecare can do a survey among doctors to quantify/regionalize the problem? Or, if polls are possible on HealthUnlocked, maybe you can ask patients if discrimination has been a problem?

One step in the right direction would be if changes were made in the EPIC and SHIM questionnaires. I have lobbied among the doctors I know for years, and they all agree, but the same old questions continue to be used in clinical trials. Is this something that NCI has to weigh in on?

[Darryl Partner in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks

[jimreilly]

Beautifully done, Darryl. I've been lucky to be in Minneapolis, where my chances of receiving appropriate health care as a gay men are higher than in some place--as tall Allen says, a bubble. I do remember the 70's well however, when I wanted to be sure my doc was gay, and this no longer seems necessary to me here,. But when I look at the new laws proposed in so many places (and actually passed in some) regarding non-gender conforming people and their medical care my heart breaks. Cruelty and bigotry codified into law. Your speaking out so clearly is a excellent contribution to the fight for justice in medical care.

[Darryl Partner in reply to jimreilly]

Thanks