LGBTI+ people can have particular health needs and this is no different when it comes to cancer. However, the Irish Cancer Society can provide confidential and compassionate advice and support to those affected by the disease, the charity has said.

It is taking part in Dublin's Pride Parade for the first time this year, with the aim of increasing awareness among the LGBTI+ community of how it can help.

"Cancer can affect us all. We want everyone to know that, no matter who you are, or who you love, we're here to help.

"Some LGBTI+ people feel uncomfortable talking to their doctor about personal issues, such as the impact of cancer treatment on their sexual function or their relationships. The portrayal of certain cancers, such as cervical or prostate cancer, as gender-specific can also overlook the needs of the transgender community," commented ICS chief executive, Averil Power.

She emphasised that ICS nurses are trained to treat everyone ‘with kindness, compassion and dignity at all times'.

"Every call to our free Nurseline or conversation had in our Daffodil Centres is treated with the utmost confidentiality and respect," she pointed out.

The charity also noted that LGBTI+ people are more likely to develop certain cancers, such as those caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). As a result, it has partnered with BeLonG To Youth Services and the Gay Health Network as part of the HPV Vaccination Alliance, in order to increase awareness of the HPV vaccine among the LGBTI+ community.

The ICS is also consulting with LGBTI+ groups as part of the development of its new five-year strategy.

Dublin's Pride Parade takes place on Saturday, June 29. ICS staff, volunteers and supporters will be taking part, led by Ms Power and ‘Daff Man', James Gilleran, whose partner, Tony, was cared for by an ICS nurse before he passed away last year.

Mr Gilleran has fundraised every year as part of the charity's annual fundraiser, Daffodil Day, for the last 25 years.

"My partner Tony died last June and before he went into hospice care, a night nurse from the Irish Cancer Society spent a night with us. It was a huge help. She looked after Tony so well, and gave me the respite I needed so that, in his final days, I could be there for him at his bedside.

"Tony always encouraged me to play the ‘Daff Man' on Daffodil Day and was hugely supportive. I lost my father and aunt to cancer, while Tony lost his two sisters, so the Irish Cancer Society's work really meant a lot to both of us," he explained.

He pointed out that there ‘isn't a family in Ireland that hasn't been affected by cancer'.

"I want everyone to know that families like mine will get the same level of care, compassion and support from the Irish Cancer Society as any other. That's why I'm happy to don my daffodil suit and join them in the Pride Parade next Saturday," Mr Gilleran added.

The Pride Parade will start at 1pm on Dublin's O'Connell Street on June 29.

To speak to a cancer nurse on any aspect of cancer, contact the ICS's Cancer Nurseline on 1800 200 700, email cancernurseline@irishcancer.ie or drop into one of its 13 Daffodil Centres in hospitals nationwide.

*Pictured is ‘Daff Man', James Gilleran.