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Lesbian and Bisexual Women’s Health: Breast Cancer and Gynecological Risk Factors
![]() December 2014 | Felixia Barias
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![]() ![]() Information on breast cancer rates amongst lesbians and bisexual women have been inadequate and inconsistent. Only a handful of studies have specifically addressed lesbian cancer risks and experiences and their findings have been contradictory. Some researchers such as Cochran, Mays, Bowen et al. (2001) have speculated that lesbians may have an increased risk for developing breast cancer. Researchers have found that lesbians (between the ages of 18 and 75) were more than likely than women overall to have several behavior risk factors for breast cancer and gynecological cancer. In 2001, Rosenburg’s study analyzed various questionnaire responses from surveys conducted from 1987 and 1996, in which 11, 876 were involved in the study. These responses were compared to the national average of women. The study indicated that more than 12% of lesbians reported to having history of problems with alcohol. Lesbians were also more likely than average to use tobacco (21% vs. 16%) and to have used tobacco in the past. They were also less likely to use birth control pills. In addition, lesbians overall were less likely to be covered by health insurance (86% vs. 93%), which also meant they were less likely to have undergone cancer screenings. Only 73% reported having recent pelvic examinations, compared to the standard estimate of 87% for women nationally, and lesbians in their 40s were less likely than women overall ever to have had a mammogram (Rosenburg, 2001). The most cited risk factors in the research on lesbians and breast cancer and gynecological risk are:
REFERENCES: Cochran, S. D., Mays, V. M., Bowen, D., Gage, S., & et al (2001). Cancer-related risk indicators and preventive screening behaviors among lesbians and bisexual women. American Journal of Public Health, 91(4), 591-7. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/215110534?accountid=25355 Rosenberg, J. (2001). Lesbians are more likely than U.S. women overall to have risk factorS for gynecologic and breast cancer. Family Planning Perspectives, 33(4), 183-184. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/224555251?accountid=25355 NATIONAL RESOURCES: Mautner Project, The National Lesbian Health Organization The National Coalition for LGBT Health LOCAL RESOURCES: Long Island Lesbian Cancer Initiative Lesbian Cancer Initiative (New York, NY) New York City Lesbian Cancer Support Consortium (New York, NY) Lesbian Cancer Support Services (Denver, CO) Wingspan—Lesbian Cancer Health Project (Southern AZ) The Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative Fenway Community Health (Boston, MA) The Hambleton Project (Portland, OR) Lesbian Community Cancer Project (Chicago, IL) Women's Cancer Resource Center (Oakland, CA) For additional information on cancer-related topics and other national resources for LGBT community, please visit the National LGBT Cancer Network. ________________________________________________________________________________ Felixia Barias is a graduate student working on getting a Master’s in Gerontology (2014). She currently interns at the LA LGBT Center of Los Angeles in the Senior Services department. As an intern, Barias’ responsibility is filling in as a case manager when needed to provide referrals to clients. She is interested in helping individuals seek out services and resources through the LA LGBT Center. As she continues her time at the Center, her interest in housing has sparked especially for those that are homeless and low-income. © 2011-2021 Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders. All rights reserved. For permission to reprint these articles, or post them online, please e-mail us. |
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