For obvious reasons, gay men aren't at significant risk for breast cancer, but the illness is closer than you may think. Breast cancer can affect your sister, mother, neighbor or friend. A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes and lesbians, as a group, are at higher risk for breast cancer than straight women. You can help fight breast cancer and increase awareness by following these steps:
1. Learn as much as you can.
The more you know about breast cancer, treatments, and prevention the better you can help support them. Here are some breast cancer facts you should know:- Why Lesbians Are at Higher Risk for Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer Symptoms and Explanations
- Breast Cancer Survival Statistics
- Emotions and Breast Cancer: Expressing, Coping, Surviving
2. Be a friend.
Pam Stephan, About.com Guide to Breast Cancer Support explains that "the person with breast cancer needs you now more than ever. But the patient won't be fun to be with all the time. So, don't give into the temptation to hide from the situation by getting busier with work, hobbies, or other things that keep you away from the patient. It's no fun holding a woman's head while she loses her cookies, or holding her hand just before she goes into surgery. But she'll remember what you did for her later."3. Encourage by example.
Risk factors for breast cancer can include having never birthed a child, obesity, smoking and alcohol use. Encourage your lesbian and straight friends and family to reduce their risk. Don't just talk about it, actively participate. Encourage her to join a gym with you to reduce weight; diet together; help her stop smoking; and reduce your alcohol consumption when you go out.4. Help her manage.
"Though she may be a fighter by nature, a woman with breast cancer is often in no shape to battle hospital bureaucracies, insensitive doctors, thoughtless nurses, or anyone else, especially you," Stephan says. Help reduce her load by accompanying her to doctor's appointments. Offer to make phone calls and handle prescription issues. And most importantly, try not to be a burden yourself.5. Advocate.
Increase breast cancer awareness and help raise money by participating in a breast cancer walk or ride, which take place on various dates throughout the year. Organize a team, ride with a friend or walk alone—just participate.Learn more at breastcancer.about.com
