National LGBT Cancer Network

The National LGBT Cancer Network (formerly "The LGBT Cancer Project") is a nonprofit organization launched in September 2007. It is one of the programs in the United States that addresses the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Cancer survivors and those at risk. The Project was founded by Liz Margolies, LCSW.

Establishment
There are a number of local lesbian cancer programs and one national lesbian health organization, The Mautner Project. There are no other programs that address the cancer risks and survivorship issues of gay men and transgender people or look at the health disparities of this population as a whole. The National LGBT Cancer Network brings scattered information and resources to one site for both LGBT people and health professionals. The project's goals are
 * 1) Educating LGBT people and health providers about the cancer risks and survivor experiences of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.
 * 2) Increasing awareness of LGBT cancer risks and survivor experiences via the internet and other media.
 * 3) Advocating for high quality research on LGBT cancer risks, treatment and survivorship.
 * 4) Giving voice to LGBT cancer survivors through participation on the Boards of local and national cancer organizations.
 * 5) Offering consultation to doctor's offices, cancer screening and treatment centers, social service organizations and website managers on inclusion of LGBT people in both their outreach and services.

Cancer In The LGBT Community
Lesbians, gay men and transgender men and women experience disparities in availability of health insurance and are considered to be at increased risk for multiple types of cancer, based on behaviors such as high smoking and drinking rates, high fat diet, receptive anal intercourse and positive HIV status. Increased risks are coupled with decreased screening behaviors, resulting in cancers being detected at a later stage when it more difficult to treat. Decreased screening is linked to lower insurance rates and perceived homophobia in health care. LGBT people experience extra challenges in cancer survivorship, including acceptance of their families by oncologists and emergency rooms and information about the effect of treatment on sexuality, relationships and fertility.