Can we talk about the facts?
As your friendly neighbourhood LGBTQ+ health organisation, there’s nothing we love more than a bit of research to back up the stuff we love to share. From cancer screening rates to modifiable risk factors, everything we say and do at Can We is backed up by leading researchers, scientists and other important people with clipboards
Here you’ll find LGBTQ+ research around cancer screening and prevention.
LGBTQ+ Research
February 2025
OUT WITH CANCER. LGBTIQ+ Experiences of cancer survivorship and care
The Out with Cancer study examined the cancer survivorship and care experiences of 430 LGBTQ+ people with cancer, across a range of age groups, tumour types, sexual and gender identities.
The research was conducted at Western Sydney University, in collaboration with the Cancer Council NSW, Breast Cancer Network Australia, Canteen, Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia, ACON, and LGBTIQ+ Health Australia.
October 2025
LGBTQ+ participation in cancer clinical trials: Ensuring justice and data equity
This report presents the findings from a research project on current LGBTQ+ inclusion in cancer clinical trials in NSW and recommendations on initiatives to increase LGBTQ+ participation in these trials.
The project is part of the NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy and the ongoing partnership between ACON and Cancer Institute NSW.
January 2025
Mapping the state of lesbian, bisexual and queer women’s health in Australia
This briefing summarises evidence showing that lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women face notable disparities in mental health, reproductive health, substance use, and experiences of violence.
These poorer outcomes are linked not to their identities, but to stigma, discrimination, and barriers to accessing affirming healthcare.
January 2024
Perceptions of risky alcohol use, health risks related to alcohol and alcohol-related help-seeking in the LGBTQ+ community
In our recent survey of LGBTQ+ adults in NSW, we found that 66% of 1,499 participants were aware that alcohol use is related to cancer risk, but only 33% were able to name cancer as a risk of consuming alcohol without being prompted.
December 2022
Alcohol-related behaviours, beliefs, and knowledge regarding cancer risk related to alcohol in the New South Wales LGBTQ+ community
The Study Of Drinking and health Among LGBTQ+ people (SODA+) is a cross-sectional survey of sexuality and/or gender diverse adults who reside in NSW.
LGBTQ+ adults are a priority for cancer control because of interaction with risk factors and lower participation in cancer screening. The results of this study are not representative of all LGBTQ+ adults in NSW.
2023
Evidence Brief: People Living with HIV and Smoking
This paper provides a comprehensive definition of tobacco harm reduction, highlights the ongoing harm caused by tobacco smoke exposure, and discusses some of the controversies surrounding vaping.
Additionally, the paper advocates for a health promotion work that is community-led and tailored to People Living with HIV.
November 2021
A qualitative and quantitative study of cancer screening (bowel screening) and lifestyle behaviours (smoking and alcohol) among LGBTQ people in NSW – Final Report
This report presents qualitative data from three focus groups and six in-depth interviews with a total of 40 participants from an online survey about the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours around bowel cancer screening, smoking and quitting, and alcohol consumption among 781 LGBTQ people in NSW, Australia.
SWASH Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women’s Health Survey 2016, 2018, 2020
The SWASH survey is a comprehensive survey of important health issues relevant to LGBTQ+ women in Sydney.
SWASH provides a much-needed local evidence base to inform policy and best practice in healthcare and prevention for chronic diseases including cancer, mental health and wellbeing, sexual and reproductive health, and ageing.
SWASH has been run by researchers in collaboration with ACON every two years since 1996, and since 2009 has been run by researchers at the University of Sydney.
* Polek C, Hardie T. Cancer Screening and Prevention in Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, and Transgendered Community and Asian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Members. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2019; 7(1):6-11.
** Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2020. Alcohol, tobacco & other drugs in Australia. Cat. no. PHE 221. Canberra: AIHW. Viewed 18 June 2021, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol/alcohol-tobacco-other-drugs-australia
*** Hammoud M, et al. (2016). Flux: Following Lives Undergoing Change, Gay community life, drug use, and taking care of ourselves and each other, Report 2014-15. Monograph, The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney Australia; Mooney-Somers J, et al. (2018). Women in contact with the Sydney LGBTQ communities: Report of the SWASH Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women’s Health Survey 2014, 2016, 2018. Sydney: Sydney Health Ethics, University of Sydney.