Some facts, figures and thoughts on lesbian health
This page highlights a couple of areas of health which are particularly important for lesbians. For a general background on lesbian health it might be worth checking out:
http://www.stonewall.org.uk/information_bank/health/lesbian_gay__bisexual_health_care_needs/1341.asp
http://www.wrc.org.uk/downloads/Lesbian%20and%20Bisexual.pdf
1: Cancer
Okay most of us have some awareness of the 'womens cancers' so we won't go into huge detail here, but the research suggests that many lesbian and bisexual women are not accessing the screening oportunities offered through the national screening programmes. So here is some basic information about the two main screening opportunities that you should access:
Smears & Cervical Cancer
No one likes having a smear, but the cervical cancer screening programme is there because this is a curable cancer if caught early enough and many women (including lesbians) are found to have abnormalities that can be easily treated. Cervical cancer is associated with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which causes gential warts, although many of us carry it without any sign at all. It is an urban myth that lesbians don't need smears, firstly if you've ever had sex with a man you may have picked up HPV and be at risk, and secondly there is some suggestion that you can pass it between you and your partner on toys and finger tips. Women should be offered screening from their 20s and it is never too late to start.
Bolton PCT produced this excellent leaflet on Smears for Lesbians and it's definitely worth a look http://www.bolton.nhs.uk/publications/patient_info/Lesbian%20Smear%20Guide.pdf
Breast Cancer Screening & Mammograms
Well here's another screening opportunity but this time for the more mature among us. One in Eight women will come into contact with breast cancer in their lives and it is a serious disease which can be treated much more easily if caught early. It's not particularly comfortable but it does save lives and for a few minutes of discomfort you could identify an abnormality early when it can be sorted out.
Here are a few sites which will give you some basic information about what screening involves and some more information about breast cancer
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/Home
http://www.lgf.org.uk/female_health.php?ID=16
2: Mental Health
This is one of these phrases which gets people uptight before you've even got onto the rest of the sentance but it's not something that you should be scared of. Lots of people have periods of mental ill health, this can range from feeling low and depressed to conditions such as schizophrenia where people become delusional and take occasional breaks from reality. Many of us will have our own experiences of mental health and most will have friends who have mental health problems so it is important that everyone thinks about it. So lets talk about what you can do when you feel things are going a bit off course. Many of us have the odd day or week when we feel low and life is a bit all over the place and we can't go on. The important thing is that you're not alone and if you need to talk to someone, pick up the phone! If you don't want to ring your mates or your family, ring the Lesbian & Gay Switchboard (+44 (0)20 7837 7324) or the Samaritans (08457 90 90 90) although it seems like a strange suggestion but it can really help to talk to a stranger.
If the things going on in your head are affecting your life, you start missing work, stop talking to your friends, stop sleeping or eating, then you should get soem professional help.Make an appointment to see your GP to discuss what's going on, they might suggest medication or counselling, they might also give you a sick note for some time off work to get things back on track. You might also consider getting in touch with your local LGBT service to find out what counselling or services they offer.
Here are a few places that you could start looking to get help and support, many are London based but have links to other agencies around the country who might be able to help:
www.mind.org.uk/Mind+in+your+area/Cymru/