Breast Cancer Remains a Hidden Threat to Lesbians, Bi and Queer Women
Breast cancer accounts for 12.5% of all new annual cancer cases worldwide, making it the most common cancer in the world. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is drawing to a close, once again with no outreach to lesbians, bisexual and queer women.
Yet it has been true for decades that LBQ women are at greater risk than their heterosexual peers. According to the American Cancer Society, “Lesbian and bisexual women may be at increased risk for breast, cervical and ovarian cancer compared to heterosexual women.
Knowing about these cancers and what you can do to help prevent them or finding them early (when the cancer is small, has not spread, and might be easier to treat) may help save your life.” These women are both at higher risk for breast cancer and have a lower likelihood of getting the same standard of care as their heterosexual peers.
LBQ women often feel invisible in the discourse on breast cancer. The disparities in how LBQ women are treated by the healthcare system is an impediment to care and that can translate into lives lost.
