The risks of cancers for lesbians are interconnected to a range of other health factors

Cancer is a growing issue for the Australian population. Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer among Australian women as well as the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women in Australia₁. 

Research has shown that some factors might increase a woman's risk or chance of developing breast cancer₂.

The most significant risk factors for developing cancer include:

• Getting older
• Having a strong family history of cancer
• Having previously been diagnosed with cancer
• Never having birthed a child
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Alcohol use

It's important to note that being a lesbian or same-sex attracted women in itself does not increase the risk of cancer. However, research indicates that lesbians are less likely to have children, more likely to smoke and more likely to engage in harmful alcohol consumption₃.

According to the ILGA Lesbian and Bisexual Women’s Health Report, lesbians have the richest concentration of risk factors for cancer than any subset of women in the world₄.

Research indicates that lesbians are less likely to seek routine health care because of the discomfort of coming out to health care providers. With fewer doctor visits, lesbian and bisexual women are less likely to have pap smears, mammograms or professional breast examinations. Studies also show that lesbian and bisexual women are less likely to perform breast self-examinations regularly. For these reasons, lesbians and bisexual women may be less likely to have cancers detected at earlier, more treatable stages.

More info

Contact: ACON’s Lesbian & Same-Sex Attracted Women’s Health Project

Tel: (02) 9206 2000
Free Call: 1800 063 060
Hearing Impaired: (02) 9283 2088

Email: women@acon.org.au

1. The Report is compiled by the NSW Central Cancer Registry (CCR). The registry is funded by the NSW Department of Health
2. Breast Cancer in Australia: An Overview, 2006, (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and National Breast Cancer Centre*, 2006)
3. Private Lives: A report on the health and wellbeing of GLBTI Australians
4. Lesbian and Bisexual Women’s Health Report, Women’s Health, Common Concerns, Local Issues. The International Lesbian and Gay Association, March 2006.