It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month...

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by Isadora

Almost a year ago I found a lump while doing a self examine in the shower. It was a definite lump. No matter how many times I felt for it, it was still there. I can't even list the emotions I went through while awaiting a mammogram.

I get them about every year. I was emotionally frightened and had just seen a good friend go through a radical mastectomy. It was a scary scary time. I got an ultra sound and it was found to be a cycst. But the fear and realizing how, as a femme, how important my breasts are to me. I love them.

I get a mammogram and a pap smear every year. Every. Year.

Yes....They are lovable. or so I see**

It is scary when we fear, and realize we may not be immmortal after all, and the reason so many femme's and O/0ther's are afraid to go.

Butches , FTM's and MTF's are pretty much in denial and or such fear and that could be a whole other thread..

Ten Things Lesbians Should discuss with Their Healthcare Provider (Download .pdf Version)

Following are the health issues GLMA’s healthcare providers have identified as most commonly of concern for lesbians. While not all of these items apply to everyone, it’s wise to be aware of these issues.

1. Breast Cancer
Lesbians have the richest concentration of risk factors for breast cancer than any subset of women in the world. Combine this with the fact that many lesbians over 40 do not get routine mammograms, do breast self-exams, or have a clinical breast exam, and this cancer may elude early diagnosis, when it is most curable.

2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.....
******************************
Ten Things Transgender Persons Should discuss with Their Healthcare Care Provider (Download .pdf Version)

Following are the health issues GLMA’s healthcare providers have identified as most commonly of concern for transgender persons. While not all of these items apply to everyone, it’s wise to be aware of these issues.

1. Access to Health Care
Transgender persons are often reluctant to seek medical care through a traditional provider-patient relationship. Some are even turned away by providers. A doctor who refuses to treat a trans person may be acting out of fear and transphobia, or may have a religious bias against GLBT patients. It’s also possible that the doctor simply doesn’t have the knowledge or experience he needs. Furthermore, health care related to transgender issues is usually not covered by insurance, so it is more expensive. Whatever the reasons, transgender people have sometimes become very ill because they were afraid to visit their providers.

2. Health History
Trans persons may hide important details of their health history from their doctors. Perhaps they fear being denied care if their history is known. Even many years after surgery, they may omit the history of their transition when seeing a new provider. Patients should see their provider as an equal partner in their health care, not as a gatekeeper or an obstacle to be overcome.

3. Hormones
Cross-gender hormone therapy gives desirable feminizing (or masculinizing) effects, but carries its own unique risks. Estrogen has the potential to increase the risk of blood clotting, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and water retention. Anti-androgens such as spironolactone can produce dehydration, low blood pressure, and electrolyte disturbances. Testosterone, especially when given orally or in high doses, carries the risk of liver damage. Hormone use should be appropriately monitored by the patient and provider. Some trans people tend to obtain hormones and other treatment through indirect means, bypassing the health care system. Taking hormones without supervision can result in doses too high or too low, with undesired results.
4.5.6.7.8.9.10.

Glad to see so many taking care of themselves and each other. Send a loved one.
So, the title of my book is....Cancer Doesn't Knock: Stories from Who's There