| Being a lesbian does
not increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer but some life style
differences between lesbians and heterosexual women might.
These differences may place them
more at risk:
- None or few full-term pregnancies
- Increased body weight in comparison
to heterosexual women and bisexual women
- Lower income and the resulting
difficulty paying for health care
- Lack of health insurance coverage
- Fear of homophohic medical environments
Lesbians also face unique challenges
in getting screened and treated for breast cancer. Do
you know how this affects you?
One in eight women will develop breast
cancer at some point in her lifetime. If diagnosed early, breast
cancer can usually be treated successfully. In fact, the five-year
relative survival rate for localized breast cancer is more than
95%.
RISK FACTORS
Age: approximately 70% of women with
breast cancer have no known risk factors beside age and gender.
Age is by far the most significant risk factor. By age 50, all
women should receive a clinical breast exam and a mammogram.
Family history: having a direct
relative (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer may indicate
a higher risk. It is estimated that only 5 to 10% of breast cancers
are inherited. This means that 90-95% of breast cancers
have other unknown causes.
Early detection of breast cancer
is our best protection.
RELATIVE RISK FACTORS:
Increased estrogen levels: some
researchers believe that anything that increases a woman’s lifetime
exposure to estrogen may also increase her breast cancer risk.
This includes:
• No full-term pregnancy
• Full-term pregnancy after the age
of’ 30
• Young age at first period (before
age 12)
• Late menopause (after age 55)
• High body weight (increased body
fat)
POSSIBLE RISK:
• Hormone replacement therapy/estrogen
supplements! oral contraceptives: studies are conflicting about
hormone usage and breast cancer risk.
• Smoking: smoking has been shown
by some researchers to increase the risk of breast cancer.
Alcohol: drinking two or more
alcoholic drinks per day has been shown by some researchers
to increase the risk of breast cancer.
• Environmental factors: it is suspected
that certain environmental factors and chemical exposures may
increase the risk of developing breast cancer, but these links
have not been proven.
HOW IS THIS SIGNIFICANT TO LESBIANS?
Although being a lesbian has no direct
affect on one risk of developing breast cancer, there are certain
risk factors that tend to be more common in lesbians.
Lesbian risk factors: since a lesbian
may give birth to no or few children and is more likely to have
high body weight, both of these increase risk.
Lower income and lack of health insurance:
lesbians generally have lower incomes and are less likely to have
health insurance coverage from their partner or themselves. This
makes paying for screening and preventive health services more
difficult. Early detection and t reat nsent increase a woman’s
chance of survival.
Experiencing homophohia: many lesbians
have had previous bad experiences with the medical establishment
and fear of disclosure. The impact of homophobia limits many lesbians
from making needed medical appointments. |
