Lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer women

My partner and I first got together in 1970 in a fairly small town. We lived a quiet, totally closeted life. Connecting with the healthcare system always set off warning bells. There was an assumption that health professionals would be judgmental and disapproving of your lifestyle choices. Some were, some weren’t. Most weren’t given a chance, because we were always in guarded, tight-lipped, self-defense mode. You only went to a doctor or clinic when you absolutely had to! Diane

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer women make up a very diverse group of people. Women who have sex with women (WSW) tend to be less likely to access healthcare and cancer screening because of actual or perceived homophobia or biphobia. This may be especially true for WSW over age 50, who came of age during a time with fewer rights for and much less acceptance of LGBTQ communities than people coming of age today. Because women ages 50 and over should be screened regularly for colon, breast and cervical cancer, it is especially important to reach out to establish trust with this age group as well as with WSW in general.

Several health disparities can put WSW at a higher risk for colon, breast and cervical cancer relative to heterosexual women. For example, WSW:

• have higher rates of smoking
• are more likely to be obese
• are less likely to use preventive health services
• are more likely to consume alcohol
• are less likely to become pregnant or give birth
• are more likely to give birth at an older age if they do give birth
• may believe that they do not need to be screened for cervical cancer if they do not have sex with men

Coming out safely to a healthcare provider is one of the most important things that WSW can do to maximize the quality of their healthcare and reduce the associated risk factors for health problems.