Lesbians at greater risk for developing cancer: Expert

Where and when

The event runs from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the B.C. Cancer Agency Research Centre, 675 West 10th Avenue.
For more information call 604-877-6000 extension 2194.

Published: March 12, 2009 5:58 a.m.

Last modified: March 12, 2009 2:00 a.m.

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The B.C. Cancer Agency is hosting an education forum in Vancouver specifically for lesbians, who experts say are more at risk for cancer than heterosexual women.

The free event, Living The Dolce Vita In Comfortable Shoes, takes place on Saturday and will focus on cancer prevention tips such as diet and nutrition, and breaking down myths about cancer screening.

Sarah Sample, a clinical social worker with the agency, said lesbians are often guarded about the information they share with their doctors.

“They are less likely to have a regular GP and more likely to not go to the doctor,” said Sample.

“Therefore … they’re less likely to go for regular mammograms and cervical cancer screening.”

She added that lesbians are also at greater risk because they are less likely to give birth than heterosexual women and tend to have a higher body mass index.

“Although social attitudes have begun to change, there (are) some health disparities in terms of homophobic attitudes, so lesbians are less likely to (participate) in a system that’s possibly unsafe for them,” said Sample.

She said Saturday’s forum will provide a safe environment for women to gather and talk about cancer without the fear of judgment or discrimination.

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