Are gay guys at higher risk of colon cancer

Gay and Bisexual Men Are at Higher Risk for These Cancers

Walter Tsang, MD

Medical Reviewer

Castle Connolly Top Healer, Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Walter Tsang, MD, is a board-certified medical oncologist, hematologist, and lifestyle medicine specialist. Inspired by the ancient Eastern philosophy of yang sheng ("nourishing life"), Dr. Tsang has developed a unusual whole-person oncology approach that tailors cancer care and lifestyle recommendations to each patients’ biopsychosocial-spiritual circumstances. He partners with patients on their cancer journeys, stressing empowerment, prevention, holistic wellness, quality of life, supportive care, and realistic goals and expectations. This exercise model improves clinical outcomes and reduces costs for both patients and the healthcare system. 

Outside of his busy clinical exercise, Tsang has taught various courses at UCLA Center for East West Medicine, Loma Linda University, and California University of Science and Medicine. He is passionate about health learning and started an online seminar program to train cancer survivors about nutrition, exercise, stress management, slumber health, and c

What to know about colorectal cancer in gay men

The notes that colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer among people assigned male at birth in the United States. This is regardless of sexual orientation.

However, gay and bisexual people with a penis may be more likely to have certain risk factors that increase their chances of developing colorectal cancer, such as smoking and alcohol consumption. Other peril factors for colorectal cancer include:

  • older age
  • a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
  • obesity
  • low physical activity
  • a diet high in red and processed meats

Gay and bisexual people can also encounter more barriers to receiving healthcare and cancer screening, such as:

  • lack of healthcare professional training in regard to health considerations for LGBTQIA+ people
  • higher likelihood of experiencing homelessness or not being qualified to access health insurance
  • fear of discrimination

If someone feels nervous, they may want to seize a loved one with them when they talk with a healthcare professional. If they touch that a healthcare professional has not fully understood their healthcare needs, they can consider requesting another appointm

By Christopher Wheldon

We’re all familiar with cancer awareness campaigns. You’ve probably seen the pink ribbons, or maybe you’ve raced for a cure or watched television advertisements for colon cancer screening. But if you are like most Americans, you’ve never heard of anal cancer (although it does have a ribbon!). It is time to change that.

March 21 is Anal Cancer Awareness Date. It is a flawless time to increase empathetic about anal cancer and its impact on those affected by the disease — particularly gay men — and to urge people to talk openly about this often-stigmatized topic.  

There are a few reasons for the lack of public awareness of anal cancer. For one, it is relatively rare in the general population, affecting about 2 out of 100,000 people. Farrah Fawcett, one of Charlie’s Angels, is probably the best-known celebrity to battle anal cancer, losing her brawl in 2009.

Anal cancer also affects the “butthole” — a body part most people aren’t clamoring to talk about. But colorectal cancer isn’t that far away from the anus, and it gets plenty of attention. In reality, Temple Health gives tours of the inside of a gi

Gay and bisexual men face additional health care challenges compared to their heterosexual peers. These add health care disparities, increased risk for specific cancers and negative medical experiences. This fact sheet covers:

  • Health care disparities
  • Issues with support
  • Additional cancer risks
  • Advice about coming out

Health Care Disparities for Gay and Bisexual Men

Gay and bisexual men may face discrimination and harassment in medical care settings. When appropriate care and treatment are complicated to obtain, negative results become more likely. When check-ups and screenings are delayed, cancer can be found in later stages, when it is harder to treat. Some of what can impact care includes:

  • Lower rates of coverage. Health insurance policies do not always cover unmarried partners. This affects everything from access to care, costs and legal rights prefer visitation.

  • Discrimination. Health take care of providers may demonstrate bias against lgbtq+ and bisexual men. These interactions can make care unpleasant or even dangerous.

  • Negative experiences with health care providers. Some men to dodge or delay medical care due to fear or discomfort.

A Lack of Support

Many gay and

are gay guys at higher risk of colon cancer

What people who identify as LGBTQ should know about cancer

By Jessica Saenz

Barriers to health care largely due to stigma and discrimination make members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual , queer and gender-nonconforming society particularly vulnerable to cancer.

Navigating the health care system as an LGBTQ person can be challenging and uncomfortable, but taking steps to find proper look after and understanding your cancer risks could save your life.

Here's what you should know about cancer if you identify as LGBTQ:

Barriers to health care contribute to cancer disparities in LGBTQ people.

LGBTQ people possess consistently low rates of insurance coverage and are more likely to dwell below the poverty line, according to the American Cancer Society. These barriers make it more challenging for people who distinguish as LGBTQ to acquire the cancer screenings and care they need.

Many LGBTQ people face discrimination from health care professionals. "Unfortunately, health care practitioners acquire been one of those barriers to LGBTQ people getting good care. LGBTQ people are concerned about facing discrimination, or they have faced flat-out discrimination," says Juliana Kling, M.D., ch