Physicians don't ask, sometimes patients tell: disclosure of sexual orientation among women with breast carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
The disclosure of sexual orientation to physicians is uncertain and the reasons are poorly understood. The current study was undertaken to describe the disclosure of sexual orientation among sexual minority women with breast carcinoma.


METHODS
Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 39 sexual minority women with a diagnosis of breast carcinoma who lived in New England. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using qualitative data analysis software. Through constant comparison methods, themes related to disclosure were identified from the narrative data.


RESULTS
Sexual minority patient-provider relationships were marked by apprehension, and providers did not inquire about sexual orientation. The majority of women actively disclosed their sexual orientation, whereas 11 women passively refused disclosure.


CONCLUSIONS
Providers should create opportunities for the disclosure of sexual orientation to provide more comprehensive care.
Boehmer
Ulrike
U
Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. boehmer@bu.edu
Case
Patricia
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009511:New England; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure