Prevention and empowerment
Our goal is to increase the accessibility, effectiveness and feasibility of prevention in care and well-being. We do this by ...
FIGHT-CancER
Fostering Inclusive and Gender-equitable screening and HPV vaccination using (shared) decision-making Tool for Cancer prevention: Empowering and promoting Resilience among transgender and gender diverse people and healthcare providers in Flanders.
In this project, we plan to develop a web-based (shared) decision-making tool to help transgender and gender-diverse people make better decisions about breast and cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination. The tool is also intended to help healthcare providers effectively communicate cancer risks and prevention to transgender individuals, addressing gaps in their knowledge and training.
Date
From until
What is this project about?
Early cancer detection through screening and HPV vaccination effectively reduces breast and cervical cancer burden and mortality. The FIGHT-CancER project aims to improve cancer prevention for transgender and gender-diverse people by enhancing their access and decision-making in breast and cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination.
How do we approach this?
We plan to develop and test a web-based decision-making tool that provides essential, tailored information to meet the needs and preferences of these individuals. The tool’s development process will be conducted in a step-by-step:
Step 1: Conduct of needs assessment and evidence syntheses to understand the barriers, and facilitators faced by transgender and gender-diverse people and their healthcare providers in cancer prevention services.
Step 2: Co-creative development of the tool among key stakeholders to support informed decision-making in cancer screening and HPV vaccination.
Step 3: Testing of the tool’s usability, feasibility, and effectiveness in improving cancer prevention behaviors and health outcomes among the target groups.
Step 4: Dissemination of findings to improve knowledge and raise awareness about the developed FIGHT-CancER tool to all relevant stakeholders (target groups, healthcare providers, advocacy groups, policy makers etc.).
Why is this project necessary?
Transgender and gender-diverse individuals face unique healthcare challenges that increase their cancer risk, yet their participation in cancer prevention services remains low in Flanders. These challenges include:
- Gender Dysphoria During Examinations: Health examinations can exacerbate gender dysphoria, making screenings uncomfortable.
- Misconceptions/Lack of Knowledge about Cancer Prevention: Both patients and healthcare providers often have misconceptions about the need for screening and vaccination in this group.
- Insufficient Training for Providers: Healthcare providers frequently lack the necessary training and knowledge in transgender care.
- Unique Risk Profiles: Socio-economic, behavioral, and hormonal factors create a unique risk profile that further limits access to necessary cancer prevention services.
In Flanders, those not legally identified as female must personally arrange breast and cervical screenings. These barriers to accessing healthcare services can result in a lack of awareness about available cancer prevention options and missed opportunities for due tests and vaccinations.
On another note, healthcare providers play a crucial role in creating a supportive environment for inclusive cancer screening, ensuring patient safety, and understanding transgender care guidelines. However, inadequate training and knowledge in transgender care hinders this effort.
What are the expected outputs?
Our project is structured into four step-by-step processes, each designed to support the successful development of a web-based shared decision-making tool. Here are the expected outputs:
Output 1. Framework Mapping - A comprehensive framework identifying the barriers and facilitators of cancer prevention services among transgender and gender-diverse people and their healthcare providers.
Output 2. Beta Version of the Tool - An initial beta version of the web-based shared decision-making tool.
Output 3: Pilot-Tested Tool - A modified version of the tool, refined through pilot testing and ready for practical implementation.
Output 4: Feasibility and Effectiveness Reports:
- Detailed reports on the tool’s feasibility and effectiveness in improving informed decision-making and access to cancer prevention services for transgender and gender-diverse people.
- Insights into how the tool increases healthcare providers' confidence and ability to discuss preventive measures with the target groups.
Who are our partners?
This project is (partly) funded by Kom op tegen Kanker (Stand up to Cancer), the Flemish cancer society.
Researchers Thomas More
Researcher
Liesbet Van Bos
Liesbet Van Bos is a researcher in the People and Well-being Research Group, research line Prevention and empowerment. Her focus is currently on co-creative research.
Research line coordinator
Wessel van de Veerdonk
Wessel van de Veerdonk (Msc) is research coordinator for Prevention and empowerment in the Human and Welfare Research Group. His research focus is currently on optimal preventive health care specifically for people with reduced access.
Research line coordinator
Janet Takens
Janet is an experienced communications researcher with a passion for government and sustainability communications. She is especially skilled in quantitative research methods. As a former spokesperson and consultant, she knows communications practice.
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