Effects of breast cancer risk counseling for sexual minority women.
Sexual minority women (lesbian and bisexual) represent a vulnerable group regarding their breast health. The participants in this study were 150 women aged 18-74 recruited via public announcements in mainstream and sexual minority communities in the greater Seattle metropolitan area. Potential participants were recruited to participate in a randomized trial of a breast cancer risk counseling intervention for sexual minority women. The counseling intervention produced significant reductions in perceived risk of breast cancer, anxieties and fears about breast cancer at 6 and 24 months, and increases in breast screening rates at 24 months in the intervention arm, compared with the control arm participants. These data add to the growing body of knowledge on sexual minority women's health and point to areas of community action and future research.
Bowen
Deborah J
DJ
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109-1024, USA. dbowen@fhcrc.org
Powers
Diane
D
Greenlee
Heather
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health