Are we at risk?

The three main risk factors for breast cancer are:

1. 1. Having breast tissue
  2. Aging
  3. Having a family history of breast cancer

There are no biological differences that put LBTQ+ people at risk of breast cancer, but factors like discrimination, stigma, and isolation do impact health outcomes in our community.

Lesbian and bisexual cisgender women do experience breast cancer at higher rates than heterosexual cisgender women. Why? In addition to factors like stress caused by stigma and isolation:

- - Lesbians and bisexual cis women put off regular mammograms due to previous negative experiences.
  - Before the Affordable Care Act, many lesbians and bisexual cis women did not have insurance to cover the cost of preventative care.
  - Lesbians and bisexual cis women are less likely to be pregnant or breast feed, which reduce the risk of breast cancer.
  - Lesbians and bisexual cis women have higher rates of smoking and obesity, which increase the risk of breast cancer.

TAKE THE CHECK ‘EM CHALLENGE

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