Impact of Cancer Diagnosis on Emotional Well Being and Quality of Life on Lgbt Population in India and Across Europe; A Report Drawn on the Bases on Experience and Birds Eye View of a Psycho-Oncologist

Abstract

In order to draw significant comparisons between the disparities in dealing with LGBT cancer patients in East and West, it becomes extremely essential for us, as clinicians and health care providers to understand the bigger picture of the LGBT Community in general. As we all know that in India we still have not been able to reach a point where all the people are accepted unconditionally; and when it comes to sexual orientation, we still face old taboos, socio-cultural and religious pressures, prejudice, and judgments in general. Moreover, while dealing with clients belonging to the LGBT community, clinicians also doesn’t have it easy. In India, we still do not approve same-sex marriages and the rights of the LGBT community are still not fully recognized, which puts this group on the lines of extreme vulnerability, both emotional and otherwise. On the other hand, the acceptance from family and friends, the government, and the general public and endless fear of ending up alone all life, makes things worse. However, thankfully the younger generation in India seems to be more accepting, possibly due to the social media explosion from last decade, or possibly due to easy access to worldwide web, mobile phones, and so on, and therefore, cultural and ideological exchanges with “online friends” abroad and also to some extent due to changing norms in Indian cinema.