Sexual orientation could play a role in cancer and quality of life after cancer treatment, according to a new study.
The researchers found that homosexual men are 1.9 times more likely than men to report having had cancer from right. They also found that lesbian and bisexual women are more than two times more likely than heterosexual women in fair health or bad report after having cancer.
However, the results do not necessarily mean that being gay, lesbian or bisexual increases cancer risk, said study researcher Ulrike Boehmer, of the Boston University School of Public Health.
Rather, access to care, support of the other, other diseases and lifestyle are likely factors that might explain the results, said Boehmer.
For health professionals, the results suggest that various measures must be taken to patient men and women, she said.
"Because more women lesbian and bisexual and heterosexual women with cancer report of ill health, health care professionals can be better informed to carefully assess their lesbian and bisexual cancer patients," Boehmer said MyHealthNewsDaily. "Their assessment should determine why lesbians and bisexual women perceived their health as poor and provide services or referrals to services that would be useful for the specific issues identified the patient".
The study was published online today (May 9) in the journal Cancer.
Differences in health
Researchers collected data of health of the California Health Interview Survey, 2001, 2003 and 2005 7,252 3,690 men and women who have been diagnosed cancer in adulthood.
Researchers have not found a difference in the case of cancer between lesbians and straight women, but concluded that homosexual men were almost twice as likely that right men have had cancer.
Researchers also found that lesbian and bisexual women are 2 to 2.3 times more likely to declare "fair" or "poor" health after surviving cancer than straight women. However, no there was no difference in health after cancer in men, they said.
More cancers?
While the study did not examine the causes of these results, there are several possible explanations, said Boehmer.
For example, gay men are more likely than men to HIV positive right. Therefore, HIV-positive gay men are more high anal, of lung and testicular cancer and Hodgkin Lymphoma risk that persons who are HIV negative, said.
Another possible reason is that smoking rates are significantly higher in homosexual heterosexual, said Ronit Elk, Director of research for control and prevention of cancer to the American Cancer Society, who was not involved in the study.
"There are many variables, but we know that smoking is enormous," Elk said MyHealthNewsDaily. Smoking increases the risk of a number of cancers, including lung and throat cancer.
In fact, a study published in 2009 in the journal tobacco control showed that 37% of homosexual women and 33% of gay men are smokers, compared with 18% of heterosexual women and 24% of heterosexual men.
Then, Boehmer said that more studies are needed to see if the conclusion that most gay men report a history of cancer comes more men gay cancer receiver diagnostics than men of right, or if they survive cancer more than men from right.
Quality of life after cancer
As for the lower quality of life reported by women lesbian and bisexual cancer survivors, "minority stress" could be an important factor, Boehmer said.
"Minority stress" suggest that people in a minority group - including lesbian, or bisexual women - discrimination experience, prejudice or violence which may harm their psychological health, said.
However, no there was no specific information in this new study examined the experiences of discrimination, so more research is needed to confirm this factor, said Boehmer.
"It has been my experience that the quality of life than lesbians report after a diagnosis of cancer does not reveal as much on the specific diagnosis, but on our life experience in General, more particularly when facing a major crisis of life" as a diagnosis of cancera change in relationship or job loss, said Linda Ellis, Executive Director of the Atlanta Georgia Lesbian Health Initiative, which did not participate in the study.
It is not that lesbian or bisexual women walked more depressed than their straight peers, said Ellis. But each new outgoing person, be it the new nurse at the clinic of chemo or members of the cancer support group, took a lot of energy, she said.
"For some, it is easier to remain silent, or not to take advantage of the offered support, for fear that they will be carried out a negative reaction," Ellis told MyHealthNewsDaily.
In addition, he is not unusual for Lesbian or bisexual women have broken ties with the family, this natural circle of a support person can be weakened, she said. Single certainly have friends who can act as a support system, but it did not necessarily someone at home day in and day out to facilitate things, said Ellis.
And even "If you are in partnership, then the additional steps to ensure that you have [all financially and legally] necessary to recognize the role of your partner in your life in place and with their expenses take you to each new meeting" she said.
Financial reasons could also play a role - lesbians are more likely that straight women to be insured or not insured because they do not have access to the benefits of health partner, Ellis said. "The additional financial burden added another weight."
Although there are some hospitals, such as Atlanta, where the sexual orientation non-discrimination policies exist for hospitals and insurance companies, the study shows "work is not done yet," she said.
Pass it: Gay men are almost twice as likely to report having had cancer as heterosexual and Lesbian and bisexual women are two times more likely to report having a quality of life, fair or poor after cancer like straight women.
