We have learned much about breast cancer and prevention in the last ten years. Yet women are still dying. Breast cancer is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Breast cancer occurs in men also, but the number of new cases is small. Early detection and effective treatment is expected to reduce the number of women who die from breast cancer, and development of new methods of prevention continues to be studied.
Women with cancer share a similar issue of whether to “come out” with women who identify as lesbians. Often, neither identity is immediately obvious to others, so lesbians – and all women with cancer – face this.
Lesbians and bisexual women share many of the same issues that all women face regarding breast cancer. But in addition, there are some special issues, such as heterosexism among healthcare workers, lack of family support and access to care.
In recognition of this, St. Mary Medical Center in conjunction with the American Cancer Society (ACS), Breast Center at St. Mary, City of Long Beach Human Dignity Program, Comprehensive AIDS Resources and Education (C.A.R.E.) Program, Long Beach Health and Human Services, Reproductive Associates, The Center, and California State Senator Alan Lowenthal, have sponsored a Community Information and Health Fair for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
A panel discussion: BREAST CANCER & LESBIAN ISSUES will take place Wednesday evening, October 17, 2007 from 5 to 8pm at the John Edward Parr Health Enhancement Center. This is a FREE event and includes a complimentary light dinner. The panel, moderated by Lucille Sevigny RN, will include a stellar group of experts:
Rebecca Kuhn, MD
Rebecca Alleyne, MD
Vicky Sparks, LCSW
Rosemary Kidd, OT
Chrisstina Lassen, RN – a breast cancer survivor
John Edward Parr Health Enhancement Center
at St. Mary Medical Center
1050 Linden Avenue (Enter on 10th)
Long Beach, CA 90813
For additional information, please call (562) 491- 9066