Risk of chronic health conditions in lesbian, gay, and bisexual survivors of adolescent and young adult cancers

Background: In the general population, individuals with minoritized sexual orientation and gender identity have a higher burden of chronic health conditions than heterosexual individuals. However, the extent to which sexual orientation is associated with excess burden of chronic conditions in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYACS) is unknown. Methods: Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) AYACSs, LGB individuals without a history of cancer, and heterosexual AYACSs were identified by self-reported data from the cross-sectional National Health Interview Survey (2013–2020). Socioeconomic factors and the prevalence of chronic health conditions were compared between groups using χ² tests. Logistic regression methods were used to determine the odds of chronic conditions by socioeconomic factors within and between survivor and comparison groups. Results: One hundred seventy LGB cancer survivors, 1700 LGB individuals without a history of cancer, and 1700 heterosexual cancer survivors were included. Compared with heterosexual survivors, LGB survivors were less likely to be married (p =.001) and more likely to have never been married (p <.001). LGB survivors were more likely to have incomes between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty level than LGB individuals without a history of cancer (p =.012) and heterosexual survivors (p =.021) and were less likely to report incomes >200% the federal poverty level. LGB survivors had higher odds of chronic health conditions than LGB individuals without a history of cancer (odds ratio, 2.45; p <.001) and heterosexual survivors (odds ratio, 2.16; p =.003). Conclusions: LGB AYACSs are at increased risk of having chronic health conditions compared with both LGB individuals without a history of cancer and heterosexual AYACSs.