While everyone’s experience with ovarian, cervical or endometrial cancer is unique, there are additional concerns facing the LGBTQIA+ community. By sharing the voices of those in this community, we can bring to light some of the hidden biases or challenges in gynecologic cancer care, and begin to rectify them. We fervently believe that to do so does not take away the focus of our larger, shared fight against ovarian cancer. Rather, emphasizing the needs and concerns of specific communities helps to improve outcomes for all.
Gynecologic cancers are disease that affect the female reproductive organs, but can affect people of any gender. Just as the gynecologic cancer community includes survivors of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic levels, we know that among those living with gynecologic cancers in the U.S., many do not identify as women. Whether nonbinary individuals or trans men, these are people who were born with ovaries and have developed gynecologic cancers.
As an organization, we strive to use language that is inclusive to everyone affected by this disease, yet in some areas, such as reporting on statistics, the data isn’t quite there yet. Thus, there are certain statistics that appear throughout our site and materials where we will refer to “women,” or “female,”— rather than “people” or “assigned female at birth (AFAB),” — to align with the research and statistics that are available. (For instance, the fact that 1 in 78 women will get ovarian cancer in their lifetime would be inaccurate if it read “1 in 78 people.”)
As the largest ovarian cancer charity in the world, we are here to serve everyone touched by this insidious disease, whether by investing in the most promising research, advocating on behalf of the community in the highest halls of government, or supporting patients and their families as they navigate diagnosis, treatment and more. We hope to serve as a valuable resource for those in the LGBTQIA+ survivor community, through our dedicated online support series, resources, and patient support team. We’re all in this together — let’s find a cure.
B. Dana Kivel has a plea to the ovarian cancer community, to medical professionals, to the world: “See me. Listen to me. I’m one of the people, the tens of thousands of people who have metastatic ovarian cancer.”
Janice Murphy is a woman with many passions: sharing her love of the Great American Songbook, living life to the fullest — and making sure healthcare providers know that ovarian cancer may pose a greater risk for older lesbian women.
Find additional support for managing diagnosis and treatment, resources for young adults, financial assistance, and more.
