Breast Cancer

Are lesbians more susceptible to diseases?

Breast cancer is a widespread oncological breast disease. According to the statistic data, every ninth woman can be diagnosed with breast cancer. But, dont worry! It doesnt mean that one woman in nine suffers from this disease. This index characterizes only risk of breast cancer on conditions that you will live till 85 years old. Have you ever heard that lesbians are more likely to suffer from breast cancer?
In 1998 Medical Gay and Lesbian Community published results of its researchers on breast cancersubject. According to it, lesbians do have more chances to sicken of this disease than heterosexual women. Lets check into the matter!

Actually, one should understand that any woman risks to be diagnosed with breast cancer, no matter whether she is homosexual or a straight one. It happens just because each woman is born with breast. However, there are some factors, which raise the breast cancerrisk. These factors could be divided into two groups. The first one includes those factors which are accepted by health professionals. The second group of factors includes questionable and not evident factors.

Evident factors of raising the breast cancer risk

1. Age

2/3 of diseased women are 50 years old and elder. If you are 30, then you should know that only one woman in 5900 of this age suffers from breast cancer. If you are 50, then one your age woman in 590 will be diagnosed with breast cancerduring the next year. And if you are 80, only one woman of your age in 290 will sicken of this disease. Moreover, the more you live without breast cancerthe less risk of getting it exists.

2. Fertile period

The risk is higher in cases of late menopause (after 55) and early onset of menstruation period (prior to the age of 12). Parous women, especially those who born their first child before 30, risk less. Statistics shows that 83% of heterosexual women have been confined at least once during their life. And only 37% of lesbians can be proud of bringing birth.

3. Family history of breast cancer

The risk is 2-3 times higher in cases when some of your family member has or had breast cancer. There are some kinds of genetic mutation, which can be hereditary transmitted. But only 10% of women with positive family history do risk. For example, 85% of women with breast cancerhave negative family history.

These were investigated and proved factors. The second group factors are not proved and their influence is questionable.

Not proved factors of raising the breast cancerrisk

1. Alcohol

According to some researches, lesbians consume alcohol more often than heterosexual women do. Its not a secret, that small amounts of alcohol are good for ones heart. But there is a group of scientists from Boston Medicine University, who claim that breast cancer risk is lower among women who moderate alcohol consumption. They made this conclusion about 10 years ago. At the same time other group of scientists proved, that drinking of three and more glasses of wine a day almost doubles breast cancerrisk. But their opponents have managed to show that there is no relation between alcohol and breast cancer.
In spite of all threatening results of surveys most women prefer to drink. In fact, if you have positive breast cancerhistory or genetic alcohol predisposition, you should better moderate alcohol consumption.
On the other hand, if there were cases of heart trouble in your family then drinking a glass of wine while eating will be useful for your health.

2. Smoking

The same scientists, who believe that lesbians overdo alcohol, suppose them to smoke more than heterosexuals. Of course, nobody can say that smoking is useful. Although, the majority of scientists do not consider smokers to be the part of high risk group.

3. Abortion

The representatives of Royal Society of Medicine have disproved the statement that interruption of pregnancy increases the risk of breast cancer. That statement was based on the American research, which showed that abortion raises breast cancerrisk by 30%. British medical professionals have declared that there are no connection between abortion and malignant growth. The results which were obtained in several laboratories were not proved by competent scientists.

4. Weight, dietary intake, and sport

Some scientists consider that there is a connection between breast cancerand excess weight. This problem is especially actual for women over 50. Many researches on this subject have been performed in the USA. The results have showed that lesbians usually weight more than heterosexual women. Thats why lesbians are believed to form increased risk group. Actually, they say that fat abuse provokes breast cancer. In fact, the type of fat is important. For instance, olive and canola oil contain fat, which do not raise risk of disease. But fats contained in corn oil and meat are considered to increase the risk. Physical activity, on the contrary, reduces the probability of the breast cancerdeveloping. But all these statements are actually not well-grounded.

There are some more facts, which are believed to influence developing breast cancer. Some of these factors are probable; the others are likely to be myths. Environmental pollution and oral contraceptives are considered to raise lightly the risk of disease. Breastfeeding appears to lower the risk. The statements that silicon breast implants, tight bra and even antiperspirants provoke breast cancer are not likely to be the true.

Lesbians are also considered to be in a higher risk group because they visit gynecologists rather seldom. They just dont want to face inadequate doctors reaction. Society homophobia always keeps them on tenterhooks and in stressed state. There are many examples, when homosexuals are trying to get rid of this constant pressure by means of alcohol, smoking and drugs. This was the other reason for believing lesbians to risk more than heterosexuals.

How to prevent cancer?

Being aware of breast cancerexistence and its symptoms, youll make the first step towards your protection. Self-examination should be performed once a month in spite of your age. You should pay attention to any changes in your breast.
A breast cancerscreening x-ray mammogram allows detecting early stage signs and symptoms of breast cancer. You should have a screening mammogram every year since you are 40. Remember, that even if you are in a high risk group, it doesnt mean that youll be diagnosed with breast cancersooner or later. 70% of women diagnosed with this disease didnt have any risk factors.
No matter whether you are lesbian or not, just try to protect yourself in the best way. Healthy life-style wont do you harm; it just will prevent development of many diseases.