Risks, Resources, & Rights

A Series about Breast/Chest Health in the LGBTQ+ Community

Hosted by the Equitas Health Institute in partnership with WOSU

Research shows that due to past negative experiences with healthcare providers, LGBTQ+ people tend to delay regular health screenings, which results in later stage cancer diagnoses and worse outcomes. Consequently, cancer of the breast tissue disproportionately affects the LGBTQ+ community. In this series of timely conversations, we will discuss societal factors that contribute to poor health outcomes, specific screening recommendations for the trans community, thriving after living with cancer, and a statewide program designed to increase patient and provider education on these disparities.

Join us on Facebook Live @WOSU or @EquitasHealthInstitute

April 22 | 12 – 1:30 PM
Cancer of the Breast Tissue in the LGBTQ+ Communities: Disparities in Prevalence and Health

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Panel: Michelle Veras, National LGBT Cancer Network; Lori Gum, breast cancer survivor; Julia M. Applegate, Director, Equitas Health Institute

Moderator: Julia M. Applegate, Equitas Health Institute

Description: LGBTQ+ community members have been shown to be significantly less likely to receive a mammogram due to past negative experiences when seeking medical care. Additionally, lesbian and bisexual women have higher rates of a number of breast cancer risk factors, including increased alcohol use, higher rates of smoking, obesity, and nulliparity.

In this session we talk data with Michelle Veras of the National LGBT Cancer Network, tailored LGBTQ+ cancer education with Julia Applegate of the Equitas Health Institute, and hear from Columbus, Ohio breast cancer survivor, Lori Gum.

	Lori Gum is the Development Director for the Great Lakes Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation and dedicated to the mission of making the lives of people with Parkinson’s better every day. Prior to this position, Lori was the Program Coordinator and Pride Festival Coordinator for Stonewall Columbus from 2011-2017. She also served in that capacity as a Certified Application Counselor for the ACA Marketplaces, bringing affordable healthcare to the Columbus LGBTQ+ community. Lori was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. She resides in Columbus and loves gardening, bird watching and endlessly chasing her little Jack Russell Terrier, Porkchop without ever quite catching up.
	Michelle Veras is the Projects Director at the National LGBT Cancer Network. Based in Providence, RI, Michelle manages the day-to-day operations of the Network. After more than ten years of nonprofit youth development and community health work, Michelle joined the Network in 2018. Michelle is passionate about the systems level change that she works on through the Tobacco-Related Cancer Project. A native of Providence, RI, Michelle obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Providence College and a Master of Public Health degree from Brown University. Michelle is Latina, mixed-race, a mother of one, and identifies as queer.
	Julia M. Applegate directs the Equitas Health Institute at Equitas Health where she leads LGBTQ+ health education and research efforts to improve the health and wellness of LGBTQ+ and medically underserved communities across Ohio and beyond. Julia holds a Master of Arts in Women’s, Sexuality and Gender Studies and a Master of Public Health from The Ohio State University.

May 13 | 12 – 1:30 PM
Breast/Chest Screening Recommendations for Transgender Patients

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Speakers:Annie Brown, MD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Tyson Crenshaw, Clinical Prevention Specialist with Equitas Health; Melissa Davis, MD, MPH, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Moderator: Julia M. Applegate, Equitas Health Institute

Description: The American College of Radiology releases new breast cancer screening guidelines for transgender individuals in April. In this session we discuss the new guidelines with Radiologist, Dr. Annie Brown, Tyson Crenshaw, Clinical Prevention Specialist with Equitas Health, and Family Medicine Physician, Dr. Melissa Davis.

	Dr. Annie Brown (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor of Radiology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and a dedicated breast radiologist at UC Health. She graduated AWA from medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina before completing radiology residency and a breast fellowship at Harvard’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.Dr. Brown is actively involved in patient advocacy, education, and quality improvement and enjoys teaching the next generation of physicians to deliver meaningful, empathetic, and inclusive care.Her research has been presented at national conferences and published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles. Her most recent publication is on breast cancer screening for transgender patients.
	Tyson Crenshaw is a Clinical Prevention Specialist with Equitas Health. He is also a 51 year old husband, parent, grandparent, entrepreneur, firefighter paramedic, and trans man. Tyson started his transition 15years ago, beginning his hormonal transition 10 years ago, and his surgical transition this year. Tyson works within and outside his community in pursuit of improving the quality of life for trans people. He has found that for him, it feels necessary to share his experiences and make himself available wherever he can actively improve awareness, confidence and care navigation.
	Dr. Melissa Davis joined the OSU Department of Family and Community Medicine in 2015 after medical school at the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana, Cuba and completing the University’s Family Medicine Residency (Urban Track). She now serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine. Dr. Davis’ primary practice location is Outpatient Care East where she sees patients, precepts Urban Track residents, and helps run the OSU Transgender Primary Care Clinic. She is especially passionate about improving the experience of transgender patients and other marginalized groups in our healthcare system and beyond.

June 17 | 6 – 7:30 PM
Cancer Survivorship in the LGBTQ+ Community: Considerations and Resources

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Speakers: Elizabeth Arthur, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University and The James Cancer Hospital; Katie Klakos, partner of breast cancer survivor; Annie Trance, JamesCare for Life, The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Hospital

Moderator: Julia M. Applegate, Equitas Health Institute

Session Description: With proper treatment and medical care, many people diagnosed with cancer of the breast tissue will survive their diagnosis and move on to thriving post-treatment. Because of societal marginalization, special consideration should be given to the survivorship needs of LGBTQ+ patients. The final conversation in our series will feature a conversation with a nurse scientist, a social worker, and the wife of a cancer survivor.

	Annie Trance is the Associate Director for JamesCare for Life, Psychosocial Oncology and the Adolescent and Young Adult Program at The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Hospital. Annie has a Master of Social Work degree and holds a license as an Independent Social Worker. Annie’s career has focused on providing psychotherapy, support, education and advocacy in healthcare and oncology settings. Her work at The James specializes in cancer supportive services, cancer survivorship and reducing the burden of cancer by enhancing holistic wellbeing and adjustment for those diagnosed with cancer, their caregivers and families.
	Dr. Arthur is a research assistant professor in the OSU College of Nursing and nurse scientist for The James Cancer Hospital. She is a clinician and health behavior scientist, whose research and practice specializes in optimizing health and quality of life in cancer survivorship. Specifically, her research interests include sexual wellbeing of women and minorities, survivorship care delivery, and treatment decision-making. Dr. Arthur co-leads an Ohio State Center for Clinical and Translational Science-funded project focused on the experiences of sex and gender minority chest/breast cancer survivors with provider communication, decision-making, and social support.
	Katie Klakos Prior to joining the College of Social Work in 2018, Katie Klakos spent 10 years in a medical setting with both micro and macro experience at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). In addition to medical social work, her practice experience consists of youth mentoring, non-profit management, and community mental health. In her current role, she strives to support students in obtaining a high quality field experience that prepares them for a future in social work.