The National Cancer Institute (NCI) maintains a strong commitment to health disparities research, which includes DCCPS efforts to support research aimed at addressing the mechanisms contributing to disparities across the cancer control continuum. This includes understanding the extent and causes of cancer health inequities experienced by sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations. NCI follows the NIH definition of SGM, described here.
A growing body of evidence suggests that members of SGM populations experience higher rates of certain cancers and worse physical and mental health after diagnosis than do non-SGM populations. Additionally, research suggests that outcomes may vary across sub-populations (e.g., bisexual and transgender). There is increasing recognition that prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship care all too often fails to acknowledge or address the unique needs of SGM population. These include the fear of stigmatization and discrimination, inadequate recognition of SGM-specific risk factors and medical care considerations, and the role of individuals who are recognized as family members absent from a biological or legal relationship. DCCPS efforts to understand and address disparate outcomes experienced by SGM populations include funding opportunities and other activities described below.
A major barrier to advancing SGM cancer research is the lack of systematic and standardized SOGI data collection in surveillance, research, and clinical settings. The NIH-commissioned report titled “Measuring Sex, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation” from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine provides a model for measuring SOGI in research settings.
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Subscribe to the NCI SGM Cancer Research Listserv for updates on SGM-related research and other activities
SubscribeNotice of Funding Opportunities
- Featured Funding Opportunity
- PAR-23-292: Improving Care and Outcomes for Cancer Survivors from Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
- Program Announcements and Notice(s) of Special Interest
- NOT-CA-24-032: Administrative supplements to understand effects of within-group heterogeneity on cancer control outcomes in underrepresented populations (Expiration April 30, 2024)
- NOT-MD-22-012: Research on the Health of Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations
- NOT-OD-23-166: Family Support and Rejection in the Health and Well-Being of SGM Populations
- NOT-OD-22-166: Research on the Health of Bisexual and Bisexual+ People
- NOT-OD-24-038: Health Influences of Gender as a Social and Structural Variable
- PAR-24-077: Addressing Health and Health Care Disparities among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations (R01 - Clinical Trials Optional)
- The Sexual and Gender Minorities Research Office (SGMRO) maintains a list of active funding opportunities across NIH.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Data Collection Supplement
The implementation of the National Academies-identified measures at NCI-designated Cancer Centers was funded through an NCI-sponsored and DCCPS-coordinated supplement initiative. This initiative emphasized that cancer centers, in collaboration with their satellite and outlying clinics, assess factors associated with the implementation of standardized SOGI data collection, such as feasibility, acceptability, adoption, and appropriateness.
Read more about the supplement initiativeRelated Reports and Publications
- Editorial - Addressing Sexual and Gender Minorities in Cancer Research
- Workshop Summary - Expanding the Evidence Base in Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse Populations (NIH Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office)
- Position Statement - Strategies for Reducing Cancer Health Disparities Among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- Reports
- FY 2022 Annual Report (NIH Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office) (PDF)
- FY 2021 Portfolio Analysis (NIH Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office) (PDF)
- Strategic Plan to Advance Research on the Health and Well-Being of Sexual and Gender Minorities (NIH Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office) (PDF)
- Understanding the Well-Being of LBGTQI+ Populations (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine)
- Cancer Disparities Progress Report (American Association for Cancer Research)
Events
- The Rainbow Connection: Building a Career as an LGBTQ+ Scientist
- Disparities Among Sexual and Gender Minority Cancer Survivors: Studies on Prostate Cancer in Gay and Bisexual Men
- NIH Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office Scientific Webinar Series
- Cancer Research Efforts Focusing on Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations