Disparities in cancer care among sexual and gender minority adolescent and young adult patients: A scoping review

Sep 24, 2026

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients who are sexual and gender minorities (SGM) represent a fast-growing population with unmet cancer-related needs, yet cancer care and outcomes remain insufficiently characterized. This scoping review identifies, describes, and critically appraises empirical literature on SGM AYAs, using searches of OVID MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL (February 2022) plus a piloted appraisal framework. Results synthesize 37 articles and map gaps across the cancer care continuum. Findings highlight substantial evidence gaps, informing future high-quality, inclusive, intersectional research to advance health equity.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

DOI: 10. 1002/cam4 .6090 RESEAR CH ARTICLE Disparities in cancer care among sexual and gender minority adolescent and young adult patients: A scoping review Christabel K. Cheung1 | Haelim Lee1 | Nina Jackson Levin2 | Eunju Choi3 | Valentina A. Ross1 | Yimin Geng4 | Bria N. Thomas5 | Michael E. Roth6 1University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, Maryland, USA 2University of Michigan School of Social Work and Department of Anthropology, Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA 3Department of Nursing and MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA 4Research Medical Library, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA 5Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA 6University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA Correspondence Christabel K. Cheung, University of Maryland School of Social Work, 525 West Redwood St, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. Email: christabel.cheung@ssw. [umaryland.edu](umaryland.edu) Funding information National Cancer Institute institutional training grant, Grant/Award Number: T32-CA-236621; National Cancer Institute P30, Grant/Award Number: P30 CA016672; University of Maryland School of Social Work, Grant/Award Number: Competitive Innovative Research Award, Doctoral Research Assistant Program and Research Assistant Scholars Program; University of Michigan Vivian A. and James L. Curtis School of Social Work Center for Health Equity Research and Training, Grant/Award Number: Signature Program Initiatives; National Cancer Institute, Grant/Award Number: grant T32-CA-236621 and P30 CA016672 Abstract Background: Adolescent and young adult cancer patients (AYAs) who are sexual and gender minorities (SGM) are a rapidly increasing population that experiences unmet cancer-related needs. Despite emerging awareness, little is known about cancer care and outcomes for this vulnerable population. The purpose of this scoping review was to explore current knowledge and gaps in the literature on cancer care and outcomes for AYAs who identify as SGM. Methods: We reviewed empirical knowledge on SGM AYAs by identifying, describing, and critically appraising the literature to date. We conducted a comprehensive search on OVID MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL in February 2022. Additionally, we developed and piloted a conceptual framework for appraising SGM AYA research. Results: A total of 37 articles were included in the final review. Most studies focused exclusively on SGM-related outcomes as the primary aim of the study (81 . 1%, n = 30), whereas others included some focus on SGM-related outcomes (18.9%, n = 7) . The majority of studies included AYAs as part of a broader age range (86.0%, n = 32), and only a few studies examined exclusively AYA samples (14.0%, n = 5) . Gaps in scientific evidence on SGM AYAs were seen across the cancer care continuum. Conclusion: Numerous gaps in knowledge of cancer care and outcomes exist for SGM AYAs diagnosed with cancer. Future efforts should fill this void with highquality empirical studies that reveal unknown disparities in care and outcomesand are inclusive of the intersectionality of SGM AYAs with other minoritized experiences, thereby advancing health equity in meaningful ways. KEYWORDS adolescent and young adult, cancer survivors, disparities, LGBTQ+, sexual and gender minority This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2023 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [14674](14674 | wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cam4)[ |](14674 | wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cam4)[ wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cam4](14674 | wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cam4) Cancer Medicine. 2023;12:14674–14693 . CHEUNG et al. | 14675 1 | BACKGROUND In 2022, there were an estimated 87,500

FAQs

What is the primary aim of the scoping review?

To explore current knowledge and gaps in the literature on cancer care and outcomes for adolescent and young adult patients who identify as sexual and gender minorities.

How was the literature search conducted?

The review conducted a comprehensive search in OVID MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL in February 2022, and developed and piloted a conceptual framework for appraising SGM AYA research.

How many studies were included, and what was a key pattern in study focus?

A total of 37 articles were included; most studies focused exclusively on SGM-related outcomes as the primary aim.

Sep 24, 2026

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