GenQ - For the not so straight individual

A study conducted by the International Lesbian and Gay Association (IGLA) has found that lesbians have the highest concentration of risk factors for breast cancer of any subset of women in the world, as reported by the Sydney Star Observer.

Of the main contributing factors, many lesbians over 40 do not get routine mammograms, do self-breast exams, or have a clinical breast exam. This therefore means the cancer may not be diagnosed early when it is most curable.

In addition to the main outcome, the report also indicated that many lesbians and same-sex-attracted women do not reveal their sexual orientation to their health practitioner. This invisibility in health situations was invariably implicated by the IGLA in having a further impact on the psychological well-being of the women.

The findings of the report, published in the Lesbian and Bisexual Women’s Health Report, have led to a joint initiative between ACON and the NSW Cancer Council - the formation of the Lesbians and Cancer Project.

The project in part includes lesbians in the NSW Cancer Council peer support program Cancer Connect, and The C-Word was formed, a monthly support group for lesbians who have been diagnosed with cancer, and their partners.

According to the Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer is the major cause of cancer death in Australian women accounting for 2,600 deaths each year and more than 11,700 new cases.

Early detection, health authorities have agreed, is the best method for reducing deaths from breast cancer. The Breast Cancer Foundation report that women with an early diagnosis, whose cancer is still contained in the breast, have a 90 percent chance of surviving five years, compared with a 20 percent five-year survival chance if the cancer has already spread when diagnosed.

ACON lesbian health officer Siri May said that in addition to seeing their doctor regularly, risk factors such as smoking and drinking also contributed to the statistics. “This is combined with an already high concentration of risk factors, including not having children or having children later, and high rates of smoking and drinking,� she said.

In addition to the challenge of cancer diagnosis itself, May said that there were further challenges for lesbians after being diagnosed with cancer, with some healthcare providers reacting adversely to lesbian sexuality.

“When a lesbian is suffering from the impact of a new cancer diagnosis, she has to negotiate her way through a health system that is predominantly set up for heterosexuals,� she said.

ACON and the NSW Cancer Council have been training lesbian cancer survivors to offer support to other lesbians who had received a recent diagnosis, believing that many female cancer sufferers are seen as heterosexual, therefore affecting the way a health professional will treat them and refer to them, and that can be difficult for women.

For more information on Breast Cancer and self-examination, click here