Cancer screening and prevention

Did you know that our communities may be at higher risk cervical, breast and bowel cancers, but are likely to screen less than the general population? 

No one likes thinking about cancer, but these tests can be especially confronting for sexuality and gender diverse people like us.   

The good news is there have been big improvements in how these tests are done (hello, self-collection!) as well as a lot more understanding about the needs of our communities. 

Just like STI screening, routine cancer screening empowers you to make informed decisions about your own health and wellbeing.  

Keeping up to date with cancer screening means reducing the risk of harm from cancers – and even preventing cancer entirely. 

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Cervical Screening  

• From the age of 25, cervical screening is recommended for anyone with cervix who has ever been sexually active (repeated every 5 years or as advised by your doctor). 

Breast Screening 

• From the age of 40, breast screening is recommended for all cis women, trans women on hormones (oestrogen), and anyone assigned female at birth who has not had top surgery (repeated every 2 years or as advised by your doctor).

Bowel Screening 

• From the age of 50, bowel screening is recommended for everybody (repeated every two years or as advised by your doctor). 

For personalized information about your own risk of cancer, take the CanWe quiz for LGBTQ+ community, find out more about what to expect from screening, and learn other ways to stay healthy.  

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