Georgia Cancer Center supports Pride

By Clara Sorrow | Staff writer

The Georgia Cancer Center recently held a booth at Pride to discuss prevalent cancers in the LGBTQ+ community, but their work does not end when Pride Month does.

Their stand focused on informing the Pride attendees and giving away educational materials and other items to help prevent cancer, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and basil seed packs. The educational materials were lengthy, but they were not easy to put together.

“None of the major cancer registries or surveys collect sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) information and because they set the standard, too many other cancer research programs aren’t collecting it either. Without SOGI data, we can’t say much about cancer incidence, prevalence, or survivorship in these populations and we can’t develop evidence-based prevention and treatment programs for LGBTQ+ folks the same way we can for other populations,” Maryclaire Regan, Community Program Coordination for Cancer Information and Awareness explained.

There seems to be ample amount of data on cancers as a whole, but not how they affect many marginalized groups. While there are researchers like Dr. Justin Xavier Moore striving to provide more research on the LGBTQ+ population’s cancer risks, as it stands right now, the information is difficult to find.

Understanding personal risks for cancer and how it relates to an individual’s lifestyle is crucial to prevent onset.

“Experts estimate a third to half of cancer related deaths in our country are associated with risk factors that can be changed like tobacco use, alcohol use, and excess body weight. I didn’t know that before I started this job and I don’t think most other people know that,” Regan informed.

This statistic, though, disproportionately affects the LGBTQ+ population at an alarming rate. Members of the community are statistically more likely to smoke cigarettes, for example, which is the leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.

The Georgia Cancer provided facts about cancer to the attendants of June’s Pride Month event. (photo by Maryclaire Regan)

Regan asks the public to analyze why that is.

“In my opinion as a public health professional, oppressive policy is the root cause of most health disparities, and just like cancer, we have a lot of work to do to eliminate it. Policies that are homophobic, transphobic, racist, ableist, xenophobic deeply affect every building block of a person’s health, like access to education, healthful foods, stable housing, healthcare, etc. And all of these factors affect a person’s general health status including their cancer risk,” she explained.

Furthermore, if there is a member of the community going for professional healthcare, it is not uncommon for them to be discriminated against based on their identity. Regan stressed the amount of work the U.S. has to change this.

It is crucial to provide this information to those who are disproportionately affected by cancer, but also for the general public. This is what the Cancer Center’s booth at Augusta Pride aimed to do. This year, though, provided much more coverage than had been applied in the past.

Garrett Green, chief diversity officer for Augusta University, had launched a Pride Planning Committee in preparation of the event. On this committee included Julie Moretz, Kellie Gonzalez-Brooks and Shareen Clement, among others.

“The group made and sold inaugural AU Pride t-shirts, had a presence in the parade and created an AU “block” of tables at the event,” Regan explained about the committee.

Regan also stressed the importance of all people helping to spread education regarding cancer altogether, but to furthermore educate individuals on how risk-factors can disproportionately affect those in the LGBTQ+ community, as well as to learn about how homophobic and transphobic policies affect those around them.

“It’s important for folks to know that the LGBTQ+ population is not just one homogenous group. That’s in general but also how they’re affected by cancer risk factors and cancer. I also think that it’s important to note that this is a very resilient group and there’s a lot of strength in the community they’ve built,” Regan stressed.

The fight for LGBTQ+ education begins in the community. Regan recommends sharing pronouns, using preferred names and making sure people know there are safe spaces for those in the community. She specifically recommended getting SafeZone trained, a workshop for allies of the community to learn how they can have a positive impact on the community.

The Georgia Cancer Center was one of many AU organizations at Augusta’s Pride event. /photos by Maryclaire Regan)

For more information on your risk factors and how to protect yourself from cancer, or if you would like to learn more about participating in cancer-related presentations, please email Maryclaire Regan at mregan@augusta.edu.

For more information on cancer relating to the LGBTQ+ community, visit the National LGBT Cancer Network here: https://cancer-network.org

Support the Augusta University’s certification as a national leader in LGBTQ+ care and complete a CME-eligible course here: https://armsinc-hrc.sabacloud.com/Saba/Web_wdk/NA1PRD0023/index/prelogin.rdf

Get SafeZone trained here: https://thesafezoneproject.com/

Contact Clara Sorrow at csorrow@augusta.edu.