KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — A survey in the UK suggests that one in five lesbian, gay and bisexual women have never been for a cervical cancer test.
More than 600 individuals were involved in the study which looked at attitudes to cervical screening among lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) women in the the north of England.
The majority were aware of the need to go for cervical screening, however more than 20 percent thought LGB women were actually at lower risk of cervical cancer compared to heterosexual women. Less than 10 percent thought they did not need the test or didn’t know whether it was required for them to do so.
According to the NHS, this would mean up to 50,000 lesbian, gay and bisexual women have never gone for a cervical screening, creating a serious gap in screening.
Health experts insist that anyone with a cervix, between the ages of 25 and 64 should go for regular screening.
Dr Michael Brady, NHS England’s LGBT health adviser told the BBC, “The misleading information that gay and bisexual women aren’t at risk of this disease is one of the most dangerous myths around, because it has created a screening gap for thousands, which is a major concern for our community.
“Let’s be clear: cancer does not discriminate.”
