Cancer Health Equity for Queer and Transgender Pacific Islanders: Addressing Intersectional Disparities Through a Cancer Justice Lens

Abstract

Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (NHPI) continue to experience substantial cancer-related morbidity and mortality. However, there is a limited consideration and inclusion of cancer-related inequities among Queer and Transgender Pacific Islanders (QTPI). QTPI are intersectionally marginalized due to historical and current interlocking structural arrangements (e.g., colonialism, racism, cis-genderism, transphobia) that pose unique vulnerabilities and inequities of cancer outcomes and cancer care. This paper underscores a framework to discuss both structural gaps of cancer outcomes that are pertinent to the NHPI population as a whole (prostate, breast, cervical, and endometrial) and implications for adopting an intersectional approach to enhance inclusive and comprehensive capacity building for clinicians, public health researchers, and policymakers to advance cancer justice, particularly for the QTPI population.