Examining the experiences of LGB patients in cancer care

Abstract

This seminar will present findings from a qualitative study of cancer care funded by the local cancer charity Hope Against Cancer. Experiences of health and healthcare are relatively under-theorised in the social science literature. Using Minority Stress Theory, the presentation will consider how ‘prejudice events’, ‘expectations of rejection’ and ‘hiding and concealing’ (Meyer, 2003) may mediate how cancer care is experienced. Two additional aspects of the conceptual framework will be considered: internalised homophobia and ameliorative coping. Plans for developing research will be discussed.