Although one of the most avoidable forms of cancer, screening in the LGBT community—especially among lesbians and bisexual women—shows clear differences. Rooted in social, cultural, and structural barriers, these differences increase the likelihood of missed or delayed diagnosis. The causes of the differences in cervical cancer screenings, the obstacles experienced by lesbians and bisexual women, and suggestions for lowering these discrepancies to guarantee fair healthcare for all will be discussed in this paper.
Cervical Cancer and the Importance of Screenings
Usually arising in the cells of the cervix, cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. Early detection of aberrant cells made possible by routine Pap smears and HPV tests lets one treat before cancer starts. The notable worldwide drop in cervical cancer cases can be attributed in great part to early discovery made possible by screening. Nevertheless, many LGBT women—especially lesbians and bisexual women—remain under-screened even if these tests are readily available and efficient.
Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screenings in the LGBT Community
Particularly for lesbians and bisexual women, various elements are causing the differences in cervical cancer screenings among LGBT people. Many in the community find it challenging to get the preventative care they require as these obstacles are institutional and social as well.
- Healthcare Discrimination and Mistrust
Many LGBT people—especially lesbians and bisexual women—have come against prejudice or discrimination in medical environments. This covers offensive language, presumptions about their sexual activity, or plain neglect of care. Such events lead to mistrust of healthcare professionals, which reduces people’s inclination to seek preventative care including cervical cancer tests. Healthcare professionals can, for instance, mistakenly believe that because of their sexual orientation, lesbians and bisexual women are not at risk for cervical cancer, which would result in a neglect of Pap screens or HPV testing recommendations.
- Assumptions About Sexual Activity
Many doctors believe that women who abstain from sex with men are not in danger of HPV and hence do not need cervical cancer tests. Still, HPV can be spread by skin-to-skin contact—including sexual activities among women. Many times unaware of this risk, lesbians and bisexual women may not get routine screenings. The screening differences in healthcare practitioners stem from their ignorance about sexual health in the LGBT community.
- Lack of LGBT-Sensitive Healthcare Providers
Finding healthcare practitioners who are aware of their particular needs and who create inclusive surroundings is a challenge for LGBT people most of all. Many lesbians and bisexual women say they feel uncomfortable talking about their sexual orientation with doctors because of concern about misinterpretation or rejection. For many women, this discomfort results in avoidance of regular healthcare, including cervical cancer tests, which are already intrusive and may be uncomfortable events.
- Underrepresentation in Health Campaigns
Often homonormative, public health programs advocating cervical cancer screenings include language targeted at heterosexual women and presuming they are sexually active with men. Lesbian and bisexual women may so feel as though these efforts have little bearing on them. Their lack of representation discourages them even more from looking for movies and helps to raise ignorance of their cervical cancer risk factors.
- Financial and Access Barriers
LGBT people—especially those without sufficient health insurance or who live in rural areas—may have financial obstacles to getting cervical cancer tests. For underinsured or uninsured women, Pap screenings, HPV testing, and follow-up treatment might be prohibitively expensive. Geographic isolation could further restrict access to LGBT-friendly healthcare practitioners, therefore complicating the capacity of these women to seek required tests.
Recommendations for Reducing Screening Disparities
A multifarious strategy is required to solve the differences in cervical cancer screenings across the LGBT community, particularly among lesbians and bisexual women. This covers changing public health campaigns, building inclusive healthcare environments, and bettering education for healthcare professionals.
- LGBT-Specific Sensitivity Training for Healthcare Providers
Ensuring that healthcare personnel get thorough knowledge of the health needs of LGBT people is one of the most important actions in lowering cervical cancer screening discrepancies. Providers should be informed of the risk lesbians and bisexual women have for HPV and cervical cancer as well as of the same preventative care advice they should get from heterosexual women. Sensitivity training should also include how to foster honest discussion regarding sexual health using a welcoming and nonjudging setting for every patient.
- Increasing Awareness Among Lesbians and Bisexual Women
Because they believe HPV is exclusively spread through heterosexual contact, many lesbians and bisexual women are ignorant of their risk for HPV and cervical cancer. Public health campaigns and community groups have to try to raise LGBT community awareness of the need for consistent testing. To inspire involvement in preventative care, messaging should be inclusive and especially target the needs and issues of lesbians and bisexual women.
- Creating Inclusive Healthcare Spaces
Efforts should be made by healthcare facilities to welcome LGBT patients more broadly. Using gender-neutral language on forms, using LGBT-friendly symbols, and making sure every staff member has cultural competency training can all help to reflect this. LGBT people are more likely to participate in preventative care—including cervical cancer screenings—when they feel protected and appreciated in healthcare environments.
- Expanding Access to Affordable Screenings
Reducing cervical cancer screening inequities requires addressing budgetary constraints. Working to guarantee that low-cost or free Pap screenings and HPV testing are available to underinsured and uninsured women—including those in the LGBT community—governments and healthcare organizations should Mobile health clinics and alliances with local businesses can assist in reaching underprivileged groups, especially LGBT people living in rural or distant locations.
- Tailoring Public Health Campaigns to the LGBT Community
Public health initiatives ought to be rebuilt to be more inclusive of the LGBT population, especially lesbians and bisexual women. Campaigns should stress that HPV can be spread by several kinds of sexual contact, not only heterosexual interaction, and feature different portrayals of sexual orientations. By use of these initiatives, the stigma and false information can be lessened therefore enabling LGBT people to pursue testing.
- Encouraging Open Conversations About Sexual Health
Crucially, patients and healthcare practitioners’ open communication regarding sexual orientation and sexual health should be encouraged. Nonjudgingly, providers should inquire every patient about their sexual behavior and provide suitable screenings depending on their health background and risks. Knowing that it will direct their treatment, patients should also feel empowered to reveal their sexual orientation without concern of prejudice or stigma at the same time.
Conclusion
Although cervical cancer is preventable, differences in screening rates between lesbians and bisexual women increase their chances of missed diagnosis. For the LGBT population, the obstacles to cervical cancer tests are several and include financial difficulties, lack of awareness, discrimination, and healthcare provider misinterpretation. Healthcare practitioners have to be educated in LGBT-specific healthcare needs to help lower these inequalities; public health campaigns should concentrate on establishing inclusive, friendly surroundings that support screenings for every woman, regardless of sexual orientation. Reducing these obstacles will help to guarantee that lesbians and bisexual women get the preventative treatment required to spot and stop cervical cancer early on.
