Are lesbians more at risk for Breast Cancer than our straight sisters? That depends. According to Dr. Tori Hudson, Naturopathic Physician, it is uncertain whether or not lesbians get more breast cancer. But what is certain, is that lesbians as a group, have a higher incidence of certain risk factors known to be linked to breast cancer.
Those risk factors are:
Medical studies show:
On top of this, Dr. Hudson reports that lesbians are less likely to perform self-breast exams, get clinical breast exams and mammograms.
Another complicating factor is that lesbians are less likely to have health insurance, partially because many businesses do not offer offer domestic partner benefits.
Lesbians may be less likely to visit a doctor for fear of homophobia, or simply the uncomfortableness associated with coming out.
For straight women, primary contact with the health care system is through reproductive health. Since most lesbians do not use birth control or have children, they may miss early detection of breast cancer or other diseases that women who regularly visit the doctor may be screened for.
Keep Reading: How to Lower Your Risk for Breast Cancer
