Background: In 2019, Cancer Institute NSW (the Institute) and ACON commenced a 5-year partnership to address cancer risks and access issues, and improve cancer-related health outcomes for people of diverse genders and sexualities. This partnership is important for engaging and empowering LGBTQ+ communities and contributing to achieving goals of the NSW Cancer Plan to reduce health inequities of these communities.
Aim: The partnership aims to increase cancer screening participation (bowel, breast and cervical), and reduce preventable cancer risks among LGBTQ+ people in NSW through community engagement, targeted health promotion and training of services.
Methods: A comprehensive multi-year plan was established including undertaking formative research, provision of subject matter expertise, and communication and training activities. The partnership activity is underpinned by evidence, including literature review and formative research with LGBTQ+ people in NSW who participated in surveys and focus groups on bowel cancer screening participation, smoking and quitting behaviours and alcohol consumption. The co-design, partnership approach brings together public health expertise and people with lived experience of diverse genders and sexualities, who are involved in all aspects of the work.
Results: To date, the partnership has delivered targeted bowel cancer screening campaign and smoking cessation campaigns; and developed a tailored diversity and inclusion e-learning training ‘LGBTQ+ Communities and Cancer’ specifically for BreastScreen NSW, NSW Quitline and Institute staff, which is now being adapted as a tailored e-learning module for Cancer Services across Australia, accessible in 2022 via eviQ Education.
Conclusions: This partnership is the first of its kind. The co-design approach has provided significant value to both organisations. The partnership is expanding organisational knowledge and capability and has influenced research data collection practices and resources for consumers and health professionals in cancer control. It is delivering greater visibility and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the Institute’s programs and campaign activity.