Embracing Pride to assess perceptions of cancer research involvement among the LGBTQ+ community and improve inclusivity

Our Cancer Theme at NDPCHS were delighted to attend four Pride festivals this summer: Oxford on 7 June 2025, London on 5 July 2025, Reading on 30 August 2025, and Derby on 20 September 2025. The LGBTQ+ community, among other minoritized groups, is known to be under-represented in both cancer research and on PPIE panels that contribute to research design. Consequently, we do not know if our research benefits, or how best to improve outcomes for, LGBTQ+ patients.  We attended Pride to find out what we can do to better to facilitate cancer research engagement with the LGBTQ+ community.

At each Pride event we attended, we talked to people about research involvement and distributed custom LGBTQ+-themed materials and giveaways (rainbow wristbands and tote bags) to those who engaged with us. We also introduced music as a creative approach to facilitate engagement – inviting people to provide a short (5-10 seconds) audio clip on research, primary care, screening, cancer care, or anything else, which we will set to music and share among the research and LGBTQ+ communities.

What responders said about research involvement: Most people had heard of cancer research, through advertisement, such as at fundraising events for cancer charities, and family and friends, including family members who had cancer. A few individuals had been involved in cancer research, most commonly among those who self-described as Queer and Lesbian. Lack of research awareness and opportunities, time constraints, and perceived prejudice were all seen as barriers to research involvement. Many spoke of the need for increased research awareness and clearer information about the research, particularly why their involvement matters.

This was our first time specifically engaging with LGBTQ+ people to discuss research and we had a blast doing it! People were very friendly, colourful, and willing to share their thoughts and experiences. We learnt that LGBTQ+ people often do have a lot to say about cancer research, with some thanking us for simply being present at Pride, raising awareness, and listening to what they had to say.

Associate Professor Brian Nicholson, who co-leads the Cancer Theme commented, “Special thanks to Pradeep and the team for taking cancer research to the Pride community. The fantastic engagement across each event reflects the care and attention given to sensitively discussing a difficult topic at a time of great celebration.”

We plan to publish a manuscript describing this work in detail. If you would like to know more about this work or get a link to the manuscript or final music arrangement, when published, please contact cancer@phc.ox.ac.uk.