Cancer Is Cancer No Matter Who Is in Your Bed: Cervical Cancer Screening by Sexual Orientation in the United States

Jennifer Andersen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Josey VanOrsdale , University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Abstract Background: This paper utilizes the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) to understand how women who identify as Lesbian, Bisexual, are unsure about, or do not disclose their sexual orientation obtain testing for cancer prevention and detection. Methods: We evaluate female respondents, ages 18 to 55, in nine states utilizing HPV testing and sexual orientation modules of the 2016 BRFSS. Responses were compared using multivariate models. Results: Women that identified as bisexual had 21% lower odds and those who identified as ‘other sexual orientation’ had 53% lower odds of having a Pap smear compared to heterosexual women, when accounting for all other factors. Women that refused to disclose their sexual orientation had 28% lower odds of HPV screening compared to heterosexual women. Conclusions: Women who identify as LGBT, unsure, or refuse to disclose their sexual orientation are less likely to obtain the preventive services necessary to detect HPV.

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 Presented in Session 178. Fertility and Sexual and Reproductive Health of Sexual Minorities