Breast health, risk factors, and cancer screening among lesbian, bisexual, and queer/questioning women in China

Abstract

In this study, we examine the health disparities of sexual minority women by surveying 310 lesbian, bisexual, and queer/questioning women (LBQW) in China about their breast health and cancer screening practices. We found that Chinese LBQW, particularly those identified with a masculine gender role and practice chest binding, are vulnerable to breast cancer given their high rates of behavioral risk factors (e.g., cigarette smoking) and symptoms (e.g., breast lumps) but low rates of self and clinical breast examinations. Salient barrier (stigma) and facilitators (social support availability, self-efficacy, and breast cancer information exposure) of breast cancer screening were also identified.