When it comes to healthcare, poor data invariably leads to poor outcomes; if we cannot identify the trends in LGBTQI+ people’s experiences of cancer, and the unique barriers we face, then we don’t know what needs to change.
That is why we were delighted to attend Ipsos’ event on the 22nd of May, which brought together key groups to explore the systemic challenges and ‘data gap’ contributing to inequitable healthcare.
The event featured leaders from pharmaceutical companies, patient advocacy groups, medical professionals, academia, and policy makers for an open discussion about the barriers to truly person-centred care for all.
Lee spoke on the first panel of the day which explored inequities in cancer. They talked about the challenges that LGBTIQ+ people living with and beyond cancer experience, and highlighted that healthcare professionals rarely have the opportunity to learn about our community’s needs. Other panel members talked about how women, people of colour, and people living in areas of high deprivation struggle to access equitable cancer care, and shared how they are working to address and mitigate barriers in their work.
After our panel we heard an insightful presentation and panel on tackling misinformation around cancer and other health conditions. This focused on the role of social media, the importance of building community trust, and how healthcare professionals and organisations can work together to combat harmful misinformation.
Needless to say, we left the event with lots to think about, but one point shone through very clearly: good person-centred care cannot be founded on guesswork. In order to make cancer care truly LGBTQI+ inclusive, we need data to be inclusive of our community too. And, importantly, we need to get this data to healthcare professionals, so that they can provide the personalised support and treatment that every cancer patient deserves.