Cancer Champions
Cancer Champions is a Macmillan Cancer Support project running in 10 other areas across the UK, working with a variety of seldom heard communities to improve health inequalities. In August 2024, The Rainbow Project launched our new Cancer Champions project, offering tailored services to empower and support LGBTQIA+ people impacted by cancer in Northern Ireland.
Our team of Macmillan professionals and volunteers are able to provide a vital link between LGBTQIA+ communities and cancer support. This is the first dedicated LGBTQIA+ cancer support service across Northern Ireland for people affected by cancer.
Get Support
LGBTQIA+ and living with a cancer diagnosis?
LGBTQIA+ and supporting a close friend, partner or family member living with cancer?
LGBTQIA+ and unsure of your cancer risk or how to access screening services for cancer?
If you would benefit from 1:1 support, a group or safe space to talk through a diagnosis, caring responsibilities, health concerns or to find out what practical support is available in your area, email info@rainbow-project.org, or call our office number directly (details below). It does not matter if your experiences with cancer are not recent, we offer support to anyone impacted.
Please let us know your best contact details and ask for Cancer Champions.
Training Package 2025
For professionals supporting individuals impacted by cancer (clinical, community and third-sector all welcome) see our training page.
Contact training@rainbow-project.org to discuss our SOGI tailored sessions to raise your confidence supporting LGBTQIA+ people throughout their cancer care.
These sessions will be delivered by the Cancer Champions Team in 2025-2027.
Survey
Take our survey and help shape our services. Data on LGBTQIA+ experiences in cancer are not well collected in Northern Ireland, and we want to help address this.
Share your experiences:
Pride in Progress Flag
The Cancer Champions team created this flag from cancer awareness ribbons to represent the breadth of lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people impacted by cancer.
Each colour in the pride in progress flag represents a different cancer awareness day and means something to the community. See our chart below to find out more.
Resources
Download our cancer champions flyer to advertise our services, or contact info@rainbow-project.org to order physical copies for your organisation.
Research has shown that LGBTQIA+ individuals are less likely than non-LGBTQIA+ individuals to present for cancer screenings.
Read the PHA Cancer Screening Booklet for Trans and Non-Binary People here.
Gay and Bisexual men and other men who have sex with men, including trans men, are able to access the HPV vaccine for free at their local GUM or HIV clinic. The HPV vaccination reduces your risk of
developing HPV-associated cancer in the future.
To read more about it, see the PHA booklet.
Macmillan Cancer Support’s resource hub for information on LGBTQIA+ cancer support.
Get the tailored information you need about cancer care here.
OUTpatients UK have a very useful page on Intersex people and cancer.
The page includes information on screening, risk, body image and fertility.
There is a Macmillan Information and Support Service in every Trust area, linked to your local Cancer Unit.
Find your local Macmillan Information and Support center here.