Cancer Support

Resources for people living with cancer

Palliative Care

End of Life care means support for people who are in the last months or years of their life. It should help the person decide how to live as well as is possible and the die with dignity. In working on the care plan, those planning end of life care should take the individual's wishes and preferences into account. Support should also be given to family, carers or others important to the person. 

It is the right of the person to express their wishes about the plane in which they would like to receive care and where they wish to die. Depending on needs and wishes, end of life care can be provided at home in a care home, a hospital or in a hospice.

Cancer Information for Cisgender People

From available data, it appears that there is a lower uptake of cancer screening amongst the LGBT community (gay, lesbian, trans, bisexual). 

Failure to attend for cancer screening means that cancers may not be detected in the early stages. This may lead to a later diagnosis of cancer and risks worse experience and outcomes. Whilst there is no clear evidence to suggest that non-binary and trans people are at a heightened risk of cancer than cisgender people, there are certain factors that might affect the risk of particular cancers. This may have an influence of the type of recommended screening taking account of the sex assigned at birth, hormones and any surgery that may have been performed.

Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a gland that is located below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra , which is the tube through which urine (wee) passes out of the body. People with a prostate include:

• cisgender men
• trans women
• non-binary people who were assigned male at birth
• some people who are intersex

Trans women and people who are non-binary can still get prostate cancer. Tests should be undertaken if symptoms appear. The UK currently has no screening programme for prostate cancer.

Breast Cancer Screening

Failure to attend for cancer screening means that cancers may not be detected in the early stages. This may lead to a later diagnosis of cancer and risks worse experience and outcomes. Whilst there is no clear evidence to suggest that non-binary and trans people are at a heightened risk of cancer than cisgender people, there are certain factors that might affect the risk of particular cancers. This may have an influence of the type of recommended screening taking account of the sex assigned at birth, hormones and any surgery that may have been performed.

In clinical terms, people of all genders can get breast cancer and everyone has breast tissue. For everyone with significant breast tissue between the ages of 50 and 70 can access breast screening. This includes most:

• cisgender women who have not had surgery (bilateral mastectomy) to remove breast tissue.
• trans women and non-binary people who have not had surgery (bilateral mastectomy)for the removal of breast tissue
• trans women and non-binary people who were assigned male at birth and who have taken feminising hormones
• some people who are intersex.

Only people who are registered female at their GP surgery are automatically invited for cervical screening. If they wish to take part in screening, males may discuss their concerns with the GP practice.

Cervical Cancer Screening

The cervix is located inside the body at the top of the vagina where it joins with the bottom of the womb. Cervical screening is offered routinely to anyone with a cervix between the ages of 25 to 64 years. Providing they have not had an operation to remove their womb this can include the following people:

In clinical terms, people of all genders can get breast cancer and everyone has breast tissue. For everyone with significant breast tissue between the ages of 50 and 70 can access breast screening. This includes most:

• cisgender women 
• trans men 
• non-binary people who were assigned female at birth
• some people who are intersex.

Cervical screening for trans men and non-binary people

Only people who are registered female at their GP surgery are automatically invited for cervical screening. If they wish to take part in screening, males may discuss their concerns with the GP practice. If they have a cervix and are registered as male, and aged between 25 and 64, they can:

• ask their GP surgery to send invitations directly and add reminders to the medical record
• make a diary note to request an appointment every 3-5 years

Cervical screening for lesbian and bi women

Women who only have sex with women do need to attend for screening tests, in spite of misconceptions on the matter. The HPV virus can be transmitted during sexual activity. Lesbian and Bi women who have a cervix and who are between the ages of 25 and 64 years should attend for screening tests.

More information for trans and non-binary people

GPs are able to offer advice if there are any questions about cancer screening, Cancer Research UK are also a source of innformation on screening for non-binary and trans people.