American Journal of Public Health, Vol 91, Issue 4 591-597, Copyright © 2001 by American Public Health Association

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Cancer-related risk indicators and preventive screening behaviors among lesbians and bisexual women

SD Cochran, VM Mays, D Bowen, S Gage, D Bybee, SJ Roberts, RS Goldstein, A Robison, EJ Rankow and J White
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Center for Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 951772, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA. cochran@ucla.edu

OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether lesbians are at increased risk for certain cancers as a result of an accumulation of behavioral risk factors and difficulties in accessing health care. METHODS: Prevalence estimates of behavioral risk factors (nulliparity, obesity, smoking, and alcohol use), cancer screening behaviors, and self-reported breast cancer histories derived from 7 independently conducted surveys of lesbians/bisexual women (n = 11,876) were compared with national estimates for women. RESULTS: In comparison with adjusted estimates for the US female population, lesbians/bisexual women exhibited greater prevalence rates of obesity, alcohol use, and tobacco use and lower rates of parity and birth control pill use. These women were also less likely to have health insurance coverage or to have had a recent pelvic examination or mammogram. Self-reported histories of breast cancer, however, did not differ from adjusted US female population estimates. CONCLUSIONS: Lesbians and bisexual women differ from heterosexual women in patterns of health risk. These women would be expected to be at especially greater risk for chronic diseases linked to smoking and obesity.

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