A large U.S. study found that sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) minority individuals are significantly less likely to receive recommended breast and cervical cancer screenings compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Structural barriers, discrimination in healthcare settings, and lack of culturally sensitive care are key drivers. Researchers are calling for system-level changes to close these persistent gaps.
A cross-sectional analysis of over 663,000 U.S. adults found that sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) minority individuals are significantly less likely to follow guideline-recommended cancer screening for breast and cervical cancers. Using 2018–2022 data from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, researchers found these disparities persisted even after adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors — pointing to structural and systemic barriers as independent drivers.
The gaps are especially pronounced for gender identity minorities, who were 76% less likely to adhere to breast cancer screening and 42% less likely to adhere to cervical cancer screening compared to cisgender individuals. Despite lower screening rates, SOGI status was not associated with higher cancer prevalence — though researchers caution this may reflect delayed diagnoses rather than lower risk.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Lower screening rates put SOGI individuals at higher risk of late-stage cancer diagnoses. Experts are urging healthcare systems, insurers, and policymakers to adopt gender-affirming practices, anatomy-based screening policies, and mandatory SOGI data collection in national registries to drive equitable cancer care.
