Your rights in cancer care as LGBTQIA+ rangatahi

Health professionals must treat you with respect, regardless of your sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex variation. You should never feel pressured, dismissed, or treated differently because of who you are.

Your health information, including your sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status, is confidential. Health professionals must keep this information private unless you give permission to share it. You can ask how your information is being used and who has access to it.

You have the right to understand your diagnosis, treatment options, and potential side effects in a way that makes sense to you. Your opinions and preferences matter - you are an equal partner in making decisions about your care, also known as shared decision-making.

You can ask for your chosen name and pronouns to be used, and for your gender or intersex status to be recognised in your health records. If a healthcare provider misgenders you or uses incorrect names, you can request that they correct it and use affirming language moving forward.

Health professionals should provide care that acknowledges your identity and meets your specific needs. If you feel unsafe, dismissed, or discriminated against, you can speak up, request another provider, or contact advocacy services for support.

For more information, visit the Health and Disability Commissioner website.

If you feel a health professional or service hasn’t treated you fairly or respectfully, you can make a complaint. If it feels safe, you might first try talking directly to the health professional. You can do this yourself, or ask a whānau member, carer, or support person to speak on your behalf. You can also reach out to another health professional within the same service if that feels easier.