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Cancer more difficult for lesbian partners?

Page last modified on: August 29, 2008
Question from Pat-2: Would you agree that the experience is more difficult for lesbian partners than it is for male partners? Is this why couples sometimes split up?
Answers —Cheryl Pearson-Fields, M.P.H.: I think it's difficult for all partners. There aren't the obvious support systems for lesbian families or couples that exist for heterosexual couples. That places an added burden on lesbian couples. But I'm not sure if it's more difficult than for heterosexual couples.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: Do you think there are ways that it's easier for lesbian couples than for heterosexual couples to counterbalance this a little, in terms of communication and talking things through?
Cheryl Pearson-Fields, M.P.H.: I think that intimacy levels are different for lesbian couples. Communication may be different for lesbian couples. There is a sense of 'us against the world' that may add to resilience for our families in facing health crisis, but I don't have any research on that.
Lisa Weissmann, M.D.: To echo what Cheryl said, I think that much of the perceived increased difficulties for lesbian partners is from the lack of support from the external world, and I think it's a sign of amazing lesbian resilience that more couples don't divorce during these stressful times.

On Wednesday, November 21, 2001, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Lesbians and Breast Cancer. Lisa Weissmann, M.D., Cheryl Pearson-Fields, M.P.H., and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about being gay and having breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Lisa Weissmann, M.D.Lisa Weissmann, M.D. is an attending physician at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dedicated to breast cancer care, with an appointment at Harvard Medical School.

Cheryl Pearson-Fields, M.P.H. is a director of health education and research with the Mautner Project for Lesbians with Cancer.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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