Abstract 1824P
Background
Sexual and gender minorities [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ)] is a diverse group that is at risk for receiving disparate cancer care. A survey of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOP Europe) members was conducted, to identify challenges in attitude and knowledge, as well as interest for further education about LGBTQ patients with cancer.
Methods
A link to an online survey was sent to the members of ESMO and SIOP Europe to measure attitudes and knowledge about LGBTQ health, and clinical practices. Results were analyzed by using descriptive analyses.
Results
Among the 672 respondents, there was high agreement regarding the importance of knowing the gender identity as perceived by the patient (75%) and sex at birth (78%), which was contrasted by lower agreement (54%) regarding the importance of knowing sexual orientation. However, the majority doesn’t ask about sexual orientation and gender identity during first visit (64% and 58% respectively). Only a minority of the respondents considered themselves well informed regarding gays/lesbians and transgender patients’ health (44 and 25% respectively), and psychosocial needs (34%). Questions about cancer risk in relation to sexual orientation and in those who identify themselves as a different gender compared to risk estimated based on their gender at birth yielded mixed responses. There was high interest in receiving education regarding the unique health needs of LGBTQ patients (73%), which was considered as a core skill for all cancer specialists by 72%. For most of the questions no significant differences were noted among those who defined themselves as heterosexual, gays/lesbians or bisexual.
Conclusions
This is the largest, to our knowledge, and the first among European specialists survey, addressing attitude, knowledge and interest for further education needs about LGBTQ patients with cancer. A lack in knowledge about clinical and psychosocial issues was revealed, as well as high interest in receiving LGBTQ-specific education and clinical practice guidelines.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE).
Funding
European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE).
Disclosure
E. Saloustros: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: Roche Hellas; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: BMS; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: Pfizer Hellas; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: AstraZeneca; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: Amgen Hellas; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: Dimiourgiki Farmakeutikon Ypiresion AE; Financial Interests, Personal, Funding, Research: Astellas Pharma; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Travel and Education support: Roche Hellas; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Travel and Education support: Pfizer Hellas; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Travel and Education support: Astellas Pharma; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Travel and Education support: Novartis (Hellas); Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Travel and Education support: MSD Greece; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Travel and Education support: Enorasis. I. Bozovic-Spasojevic: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Roche; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Novartis; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Pfizer; Financial Interests, Personal, Funding, PI: Roche; Financial Interests, Institutional, Funding, Clinical Trials : Roche. G. Mountzios: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: AstraZeneca; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Roche; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: MSD; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: BMS; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Pfizer; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Takeda; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Janssen; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Novartis; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Sanofi; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Consultancy fee : AstraZeneca; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Consultancy fee : Roche; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Consultancy fee : MSD; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Consultancy fee : BMS; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Consultancy fee : Novartis; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Consultancy fee : Sanofi; Financial Interests, Personal, Funding, PI: AstraZeneca; Financial Interests, Personal, Funding, PI: Novartis; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, PI: MSD; Financial Interests, Institutional, Funding, Clinical trials: AstraZeneca; Financial Interests, Institutional, Funding, Clinical trials : Novartis; Financial Interests, Institutional, Funding, Clinical trials : MSD. S. Bielack: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Pfizer; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Bayer; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Lilly; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Novartis; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Isofol. D. Stark: Financial Interests, Institutional, Research Grant: Teenage Cancer Trust. F.A. Peccatori: Financial Interests, Personal, Officer, Scientific Director : European School of Oncology; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Prime Oncology; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Takeda; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Roche; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: AstraZeneca; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Clovis; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Ipsen. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.