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Cancer Screening Utilization Among U.S. Women: How Mammogram and Pap Test Use Varies Among Heterosexual, Lesbian, and Bisexual Women

Author

Listed:
  • Alexa L. Solazzo

    (Rice University)

  • Bridget K. Gorman

    (Rice University)

  • Justin T. Denney

    (Rice University)

Abstract

Existing research on cancer screening utilization among sexual minority women in the U.S. has mostly relied on non-random samples that combine lesbian and bisexual women into a single group. We respond to these limitations by examining the relationship between sexual orientation and cancer screening among a sample of U.S. women from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Our analytic sample includes 2273 lesbian, 1689 bisexual, and 174,839 heterosexual women interviewed in 15 U.S. states between 2000 and 2010. We examine two cancer screening measures: timely mammogram and pap tests, defined as having had a mammogram in the past 2 years for women aged 40 and older, and having had a pap test in the past 3 years for women aged 21–65. For mammogram, results showed that rates of timely use did not significantly differ by sexual orientation. However, lesbian and bisexual women report significantly lower rates of timely pap testing than heterosexual women. Logistic regression results on timely pap testing showed that lower pap test use for bisexual women is primarily driven by their poorer socioeconomic status relative to heterosexual women, while the significantly lower odds of timely pap testing for lesbian women were unaffected by control measures. Better understanding of cancer screening utilization disparities among lesbian and bisexual women is necessary to address morbidity and mortality disparities by sexual orientation.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexa L. Solazzo & Bridget K. Gorman & Justin T. Denney, 2017. "Cancer Screening Utilization Among U.S. Women: How Mammogram and Pap Test Use Varies Among Heterosexual, Lesbian, and Bisexual Women," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 36(3), pages 357-377, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:poprpr:v:36:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s11113-017-9425-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11113-017-9425-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Conron, K.J. & Mimiaga, M.J. & Landers, S.J., 2010. "A population-based study of sexual orientation identity and gender differences in adult health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(10), pages 1953-1960.
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    4. Bridget Gorman & Justin Denney & Hilary Dowdy & Rose Medeiros, 2015. "A New Piece of the Puzzle: Sexual Orientation, Gender, and Physical Health Status," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 52(4), pages 1357-1382, August.
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    1. Ssirai Kim & Sun-Young Lee & Smi Choi-Kwon, 2020. "Cervical Cancer Screening and Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among Korean Sexual Minority Women by Sex of Their Sexual Partners," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-11, November.

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