"Breast cancer hasn't got anything to do with sexual preference, colour, race or religion. It strikes us all at random and we all feel the gamut of emotions that such a diagnosis arouses." - Judy
We hope this resource list will help with provide some useful sources of support and information.
Support and support groups
- State and Territory Cancer Councils (13 11 20) may be able to put you in touch with other lesbians who have been through the experience of breast cancer
- There are a couple of BCNA Member Groups which provide specific support for lesbians with breast cancer, view the list of existing Member Groups.
- 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.
Sharing personal stories
- The personal stories section contains stories written by lesbians who have experienced breast cancer
- You can join our online network and you may find others sharing a similar experience.
Websites
- The Mautner Project is an American organisation dedicated to lesbians with cancer, their partners and caregivers.
- Lesbian Community Cancer Project (American)
Books
- Cancer -- an incredible journey: Stories of lesbians living with cancer, Editor: Philomena Horsley. Available from: www.everycloud.com
- The C-Word: A Story About the Effects of Cancer, Author: Jean Taylor, read a review
Reports
- Coming out: About lesbians and breast cancer (Summary available online).
Clinical and academic references
- 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.
