Gender inequality affects women’s experiences of cancer
Gender inequality contributes to women and trans and gender-diverse people having poor experiences of cancer prevention, care and treatment.
Attention to women’s health issues has often focused on reproductive and maternal health, and this has repercussions for cancer, with breast and gynaecological cancers more likely to be prioritised, funded and studied. While breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis for women in Victoria, the next most common are bowel, lung, and melanoma; and for people under 25, blood cancers are the most common cancers. Gender bias in healthcare can also result in women not receiving optimal care; for example, women with cancer are more likely to report inadequate pain relief compared to men.
Gender inequality affects women’s experiences of cancer in other ways, too. For example, the gender pay gap, traditional gender roles, and caregiving responsibilities are key factors in causing financial insecurity, which can limit access to necessary healthcare. As a result, women may face delays in obtaining timely diagnoses and quality cancer care.
These gender biases in cancer care are often intensified for different communities such as trans and gender-diverse people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, leading to poorer health outcomes.
At Women’s Health Victoria we are leading the drive for gender-equitable access to cancer treatment and care for all Victorians, and working to connect and support women living with cancer to live well.


About Counterpart
Counterpart is a service of Women’s Health Victoria, connecting, supporting and informing women with cancer to live well. We support women and gender-diverse people from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond.
Counterpart has been providing peer support, information and health and wellbeing events for women affected by cancer for over 20 years.
Counterpart’s free and confidential service complements the medical system and other cancer support services by providing practical and emotional support via:
- peer support – our trained Peer Support Volunteers have lived experiences of cancer, providing a unique understanding and support to other women
- helping women find reliable, evidenced-based information
- running free events across rural and regional Victoria to provide information, support and connection.
Donate to Counterpart
Thousands of women are diagnosed with cancer each year in Victoria. Counterpart provides information and support to these women, their families and friends during treatment and beyond. Support us to support you or the women you know and care about.