Understanding cancer risks and care access for sexual minority women
Official title: Characterizing Breast and Cervical Cancer Burden Among Sexual Minority women
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11043369 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the health needs of women who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer, specifically focusing on how well they are getting screened for breast and cervical cancer, to understand any gaps in care and what might be affecting their access to these important health services.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | July 27, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $104,820 |
| NIH project number | 5K01MD017633-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043369 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are sexual minority women who may be at risk for breast and cervical cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as sexual minority women may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the health needs of sexual minority women, including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer, focusing on breast and cervical cancer screening. It aims to identify disparities in cancer screening uptake and the factors that influence these disparities, such as access to care and prevalence of risk factors. By using advanced modeling techniques, the study will estimate the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer among this population, providing crucial data to inform healthcare interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cancer screening rates and better health outcomes for sexual minority women.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically targeting sexual minority women's cancer risks, studies have shown success in addressing health disparities in other underserved populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spencer, Jenny — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Spencer, Jenny
Related research
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-
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Hybrid approach to boost cervical cancer screening in Uganda
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.