The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62179

Lyndall A. Ellingson, PhD, Department of Health and Community Services, California State University, Chico, Butte Hall 607, California State University, Chico, Chico, CA 95929-0505, 503-898-6310, lellingson@csuchico.edu

This study surveyed rural lesbian and bisexual women’s access to breast health care, early breast health detection behaviors, and experiences of revealing sexual orientation to health care practitioners. Three hundred rural northern Californian lesbian and bisexual women were surveyed via a mail questionnaire (response rate: 45%). Results include demographic variables including the ethnicity, income, relationship status, parity, and breast cancer morbidity of this sample. Frequency of regular gynecological care, frequency of clinical breast examination, frequency of breast self-examination, frequency of mammography, and experiences of ‘coming out’ to practitioners are also reported. Implications include recognizing barriers rural lesbian and bisexual women have in obtaining breast health care and the relationship of these barriers to sexual orientation, and the importance of reinforcing early detection behaviors among this population. Program information on a related rural LGBT breast health community outreach program, “Health Pride”, will also be presented.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• Describe the barriers to breast health care among rural lesbian and bisexual women.
• Describe the breast health preventive behaviors practiced by rural lesbian and bisexual women.
• Describe the processes and rationales rural lesbian and bisexual have for discussing their sexual orientation with their health practitioners.
• Describe the components of a rural breast health education program designed for lesbian and bisexual women.

Keywords: Breast Cancer, Lesbian Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.