Social isolation and cancer care delay during COVID-19 in LGBTQI+ cancer survivors

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and people with other diverse sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQI+) experience higher levels of social isolation and delayed cancer screenings, diagnosis, and treatment compared with their non-LGBTQI+ counterparts. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between perceived social isolation (PSI) and delay of cancer screenings, follow-up, or treatment during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among LGBTQI+ cancer survivors, and to determine if this association varied by race and ethnicity.

Data from the National LGBT Cancer Network's OUT: The National Cancer Survey were used. Adult LGBTQI+ cancer survivors (N = 3,023) in the United States were surveyed between September 2020 and March 2021 using self-reported measures of PSI and delay of cancer care since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

LGBTQI+ cancer survivors with high levels of PSI were more likely to delay cancer care than those with low levels of PSI, adjusted OR = 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.06, 1.57]. Biracial/multiracial LGBTQI+ cancer survivors were more likely to delay than their White peers (adjusted OR = 3.65, 95% CI [1.58, 8.41]). Aging, intersex variation, loss of employment, and poorer current health status were also associated with significant delay in cancer care.

Social isolation and other social determinants of health are important targets for clinical assessment and public health interventions meant to address cancer-related health disparities in LGBTQI+ people, particularly those with intersecting marginalized identities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).