Table 2 Summary of recommendations extracted from research

Almont et al., 2019 France [13]

The need for improvement levels such as oncosexology development in specific educational and practical training programs was evidenced

Consolidating information, counseling, and therapeutic education with formal oncosexology procedures implemented for the patient to prevent sexual disorders during cancer treatment and encouraging patients to communicate their sexual difficulties

Cathcart-Rake et al., 2018 USA [14]

Four humanized and national assistance strategies were suggested to build public policies to fill the gaps found in SGM studies, including:

Identification of SGM individuals;

Staff training in culturally sensitive approaches to SGM cancer patients;

Inclusion of messages to support the SGM community in the waiting room;

Individualized cancer care

Cathcart-Rake et al., 2019 USA [15]

Of the 221 practice groups that responded to SOGI questions,

14 practice groups (6.3%) collected information on SOGI;

39 practice groups (17.6%) only collected information on sexual orientation;

9 practice groups (4.1%) collected only gender identity information;

159 practice groups (71.9%) collected no information on SOGI

Curmi et al., 2016 Australia [16]

They include providing a friendly, non-judgmental environment for lesbian women when accessing screening services

Provide additional education to health professionals on the proper provision of care to lesbian women, without discrimination through heteronormativity

Approaches such as referring women or offering them specific health services and/or education for women who self-reveal themselves as lesbians can combat issues associated with stigma by accessing health information

Contents related to the health of gays and lesbians could be included in the curricula of undergraduate nurses and other health disciplines. This can help to raise awareness of the need for screening and more sensitive health care for this group of women

Drysdale et al., 2021 Australia [17]

Each has its own unique health needs and presents a significant diversity. In addition, experiences of gender diversity, as well as how gender intersects with other aspects of a person's identity (e.g., sexuality, race, class, ethnicity)

Additional attention should be paid to incorporating this diversity into the design process to ensure that all subpopulations are clearly defined and represented through the segmentation process

One of the ways to improve community segmentation is through meaningful consultation with relevant communities

The value of incorporating peer experience into the design and delivery of the intervention was observed in several of these studies, which is in line with the literature that points to the benefit of members of the affected community being consulted and, ideally, engaged as collaborating partners and co-investigators, in research conducted within LGBTQ communities

community-based research on LGBTQ needs and the interventions developed to respond to those needs, along with changes in health professionals' attitudes toward LGBTQ people and understandings of their health risks and intervention needs, are essential for the targeting of cancer prevention and screening interventions to be truly effective

Fish et al., 2019 UK [18] 

Three topics were defined as part of the analysis:

Authenticity as a driver of disclosure in cancer treatment;

Partners as a (potential) salutogenic resource;

Creation of safe and curative environments conducive to disclosure

Results are reported and discussed regarding three interrelated concepts of the current theory of salutogenesis, including a sense of coherence, resources of generalized resistance, and healing environments that can facilitate sexual orientation disclosure

Griggs et al., 2017 USA [19]

Five areas of recommendations were outlined to address the needs of both cancer-affected SGM populations and members of the oncology workforce who identify themselves as SGM:

Patient education and support;

Workforce development and diversity;

Quality improvement strategies;

Policy solutions;

Strategic research

These recommendations are expected to provide greater outreach and educational support for SGM patients:

Increased SGM cultural competence training for providers;

Improved quality of care metrics that include sexual orientation and gender as training variables;

Increased data collection for future research addressing the needs of SGM communities

Kamen et al., 2019 USA [20]

Professionals caring for LGBTQIA + cancer patients should: Provide a safe space to welcome them;

Ask about and professionally respond to patient identities and identifiers;

Include support people to provide relevant care related to the patients’ gender identity and address the effects of treatments on sexuality;

All professionals providing direct and indirect care need gender diversity training;

Recognizing the strengths of LGBTQIA + cancer patients can improve professional/patient relationships

Kano et al., 2021 USA [21]

Training plan formats can be static or interactive and can be combined with other strategies for greater learning impact;

Students can be immersed in small face-to-face workshops for tense skill learning and exposure to content knowledge, and then participate in online webinars and receive further instructions to reinforce skills and knowledge, developing mastery over time

Training on SGM cancer issues in a variety of formats will also help students acquire this information. Including the topic as an elective part of healthcare professional curricula proves challenging

Research grants are a viable strategy for more intensive one-year or multi-year training when the knowledge of qualified research mentors is necessary to stimulate funding and to reward researchers’ initiatives

With the guidance of experienced researchers, trainees can learn how to address gaps related to SGM cancer patients, practicing collecting and interpreting data from members of SGM groups and developing recommendations or improvement interventions, thus strengthening the workforce

Organizing multiple trainees into training programs dedicated to cancer topics relevant to SGM groups would be a way to strengthen the workforce more quickly

Lisy et al., 2018 Australia [22]

Avoid assumptions of heterosexuality

Avoid heteronormative language and information

Enquire about sexual orientation and gender identity in a sensitive and respectful manner

If lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) status is disclosed, respond in a positive and reassuring manner

Develop competence in discussing sexual matters with LGB people; when needed, refer to other services or seek additional information

Include same‐sex partners in care and treat same‐sex partners with respect and courtesy

Provide tailored information in response to individual needs, for example, regarding different treatment options or side effects of treatment

Where available, recommend appropriate support groups for LGB people and their carers

Display LGB/LGBTI images, logos, and other materials

Where possible, provide relevant, inclusive supportive resources, including written information, for LGB people with cancer and their carers

Include LGB material in cultural competency and diversity training for health care professionals (HCPs)

Include LGB sexuality in education for HCPs

Link to LGB‐specific or friendly support groups or services, if available

Provide and adhere to clear anti‐discrimination policies

Margolies et al., 2018 USA [23]

Most medical record forms do not encourage or allow LGBTQIA + to disclose their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, resulting in lack of research and in dangerous invisibility in LGBTQIA + patient care

To date, no national cancer registry collects this information, leaving LGBTQIA + cancer patient care deficient in providing important data. While some nurses and other healthcare professionals bypass forms and directly ask patients about their identities, this information is often unrecorded, not being considered in patient care

Many publications come from smaller research with LGBTQIA + patients, either through direct reach or from health information surveys

Radix et al., 2018 USA [24]

LGBTQIA + people who identify their SOGI generate new health promotion behaviors

LGBT cultural competence requires dynamics and multilevel systemic change that includes provider education, physical body care, environment, administration acceptance, and inclusion of LGBT community voices through outreach and with a diverse team

Schabath et al., 2019 USA [25]

Health professionals with specific knowledge on understanding LGBTQIA + issues improve the quality of care. As noted in this study, there was great interest in receiving education about LGBTQIA + health needs and greater confidence in the ability of well-trained providers to treat these patients

Shetty et al., 2016. USA [26]

Few physicians felt that they had the necessary skills to address sexual orientation issues, reporting lack of training in undergraduate courses and in medical residency, thus not feeling confident in approaching the issue with their patients. However, they were willing to receive training and education to offer a service that could advise, refer, and educate this population on risk behaviors and specific means of prevention