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We have searched the internet for useful sites and spoken with several Australian lesbians who have experienced breast cancer. Here we share the outcomes of our search. If you find other resources you think would be useful for other lesbians, please let us know.
Also, when things have settled down, you might consider sending us your story (brief is fine) to share with other lesbians - send to
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.
Internet sites
The Mautner Project
Founded in 1990, the Mautner Project is an American organisation dedicated to lesbians with cancer, their partners and caregivers.
Lesbian Community Cancer Project (American)
The mission of Lesbian Community Cancer Project is to advance the health and quality of life for lesbian, bisexual and transgender women through advocacy and public education.
Books
Cancer – an incredible journey: Stories of lesbians living with cancer (Australian)Editor: Philomena Horsley
Publisher: The Lesbian Cancer Support Group
Year: November 2002
Available from: www.everycloud.com
The C-Word: A Story About the Effects of Cancer
Read a review
Author: Jean Taylor
Publisher: Spinifex Press
Year of Publication: 2000
Reports
Coming out: About lesbians and breast cancer (Summary)
http://dawn.thot.net/lbcp
Publishers: The Lesbians and Breast Cancer Project (April, 2004) Canada
Support and support groups
It can often be helpful to talk with others who have been through a similar experience. State and territory Cancer Councils (13 11 20) may be able to put you in touch with another lesbian who has been through the experience of breast cancer.
There are a couple of support groups who are registered as a BCNA Member Group who can be contacted who provide specific support for lesbians who have experienced breast cancer.
In Queensland the Kim Walters Choices Program runs a group for women who partner women which meets monthly. They also provide a phone service via freecall 1800 227 271 whereby you can be linked with other women around Australia.
In Victoria the Lesbian Cancer Support Group runs in inner city Melbourne.
If you hear of any other groups please let us know.
LCL: Lesbian Cancer List
The Lesbian Cancer List is for lesbian and bisexual women (regardless of birth gender) to discuss the impact of cancer in their lives. It is open to women who have or who have had cancer, and/or partners, family and friends of people with cancer. Health care practitioners working in this field are also welcomed.
Clinical and academic references recommended by the Lesbians and Breast Cancer Project (Canada)
Aronson, J (1998). Lesbians giving and receiving care: Stretching conceptualizations of caring and community. Women's Studies International Forum, 21, 509-519
Bailey, NA, Gurevich, M, & Mathieson, C (2002). Invoking Community: Rethinking the health of lesbian and bisexual women
Beals, KP & Peplau, LA. (2001). Social Involvement, Disclosure of sexual orientation, and the quality of lesbian relationships. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 25, 10-19
Brotman, S & Kraniou, S. (1999). Ethnic and Lesbian: Understanding Identity through the Life-History Approach. Affilia, 14, 417-438
Fobair, P, O'Hanlan, K., Koopman, C, Classen, C, Dimiceli, S, Drooker, N, Warner, D, Davis, HR, Loulan, J, Wallsten, D, Goffinet, D, Morrow, G, & Spiegel, D. (2001). Comparison of lesbian and heterosexual women's response to newly diagnosed breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 10, 40-51
Matthews, AK (1998). Lesbians and Cancer Support: Clinical issues for cancer patients. Health Care for Women International, 19, 193-203
McGregor, BA., Carver, CS, Antoni, MH, Weiss, S, Yount, SE, & Ironson, G. (2001). Distress and internalized Homophobia among lesbian women treated for early stage breast cancer. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 25, 1-9
Mullineaux, DG & French, SA. (1996). Lesbian Couples and Cancer. Innovations in Breast Cancer Care, 1, 86-88
Sinding, C. (1999). Counting on Desire: Supporting a Lesbian with Breast Cancer. In M Denton, M Hadjukowski-Ahmed, M O'Connor, & IU Zeytinoglu (eds), Women's Voices in Health Promotion (pp 191-203). Toronto: Canadian Scholars Press.
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