United States: It is currently established that gay men and bisexuals are more vulnerable to Cancer, and the most recent studies show that it is even harder for LGBTQ+ persons to spot the disease and seek medical attention at an appropriate time.
More about the news
Studies conducted by the researchers of the American Cancer Society have shown that within the LGBTQ+ population, people smoke cigarettes, consume alcohol, and are also more inclined to obesity than the normal population, collectively indicative of the high risks of Cancer among the demographic.
A new survey data unveiled here on Monday by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute also shows that LGBTQ+ people are also discriminated against at doctors’ offices, barring them from receiving proper tests and treatment.
Moreover, according to the survey conducted at Dana-Farber, several providers appear to be insensitive to the prejudice that patients experience.
According to the chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society, Dr. William Dahut, “There may be folks that are avoiding health care because they don’t feel welcome,” and “Then, when they do present for care, their cancer will be at a place where it’s more likely to lead to morbidity, or potentially even mortality,” as USA Today reported.
Findings of the study
A study that utilized federal health data from the year 2020 to 2022, which was done by the American Cancer Society, has revealed that bisexual women who are forty years and above smoked much more than heterosexual women.
LGBT youth also used tobacco in the form of cigarettes more than their non-LGBT counterparts, those who were heterosexual or cisgender.
For lesbian and bisexual women, the research indicated a status of higher excess body weight and rising obesity rates tracked within bisexual women.
Also, the study established that bisexual women and trans people are less likely to engage in physical activity than others. Similarly, bisexual women also consumed more alcohol, which indicated that they consumed rather more than seven alcoholic drinks per week.
Reasons for the increased risk factors
An analysis for the increased risk factors was due to minority stress, a result of bearing Discrimination, leading to a higher likelihood of developing mental health or substance use issues or engaging in activities that would increase one’s risk of Cancer.
Cancer screening and vaccinations with HIV/HPV inclusivity were as likely to be sought or sought more among the members of the plotted LGBTQ+ community as compared to heterosexual or cisgender individuals. Even so, the screening for cervical or colorectal cancers was comparatively less in the case of transgender men, according to the study.
Moreover, new infections with cancer-precipitating viruses, including HIV, HPV, and HSV, were found to be prevalent among homosexual and bisexual men compared to other groups despite a general reduction in such infections in the modern era.