Things to Know About Lesbian Health

As a lesbian, gay, or bisexual woman, did you know you have a higher risk of developing breast and cervical cancers than heterosexual women?

If you’ve never given birth to children, your risk of breast and cervical cancers is increased. Other factors that put you at higher risk include having a family history of these cancers, smoking, and being overweight.

While it’s a special health concern to be aware of, the good news is there are easy, simple steps you can take today to reduce your risk for breast and cervical cancer and keep your engines purring.

The answer? Early detection with routine cancer screenings.

While cancer screenings are admittedly not super-sexy topics for conversation, they are worth discussing and doing for your health! If anything is discovered, it’s easier to treat when caught early.

What do they involve? You will need mammograms and breast exams to check for breast cancer and screenings for cervical cancer. The nice thing is you don’t need to have these tests done every year!

When you go to your medical provider for your annual women’s wellness check, your age, family history, and previous medical history will determine which screening tests are needed. It is important to get the right test done at the right time.

As a heads up, you don’t need to worry about mammograms until you are over 40 years old, but should already be doing regular self-examinations of your breasts to detect any lumps.

If you are over 21, you should be no stranger to speculums and Pap tests. Cervical cancer screenings are recommended starting at 21 and should be performed every three years.

In case it’s been awhile since your last women’s wellness check, don’t worry — Denver Health has you covered.

Denver Health has partnered with the GLBT Center and One Colorado to provide a safe and caring environment for all women. Recognized as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, Denver Health is dedicated to serving the medical needs of Denver’s LGBTQ communities with dignity and respect at every stage of your care.

What does Denver Health offer?

We offer one-on-one help from dedicated LGBTQ Patient Navigators

Need to schedule an appointment? Not comfortable with your current medical provider? Wish you had someone to go to your appointment with you?

Take advantage of Denver Health’s dedicated staff of LGBTQ patient navigators to help support you as you navigate the medical system.

They can help you schedule an appointment with welcoming and affirming medical providers and understand if you have other health concerns such as high blood pressure, colon health, or diabetes. They will help connect you to these services.

If you would like additional support along the way, they can also attend appointments with you. They can be a great advocate for you as you become familiar with our healthcare system and can be supportive to you along the way.

Contact our LGBTQ patient navigators:

Paige Jackson: 303-602-6736,
paige.jackson@dhha.org

Angella Fawcett: 303-602-2319,
angella.facwcett@dhha.org

We have numerous clinics across the city, not just at Denver Health

Women’s wellness checks can be provided at any of our Family Health Centers or the Women’s Care Clinic on the Denver Health campus. With more than nine locations within the Denver metro area, there’s bound to be a health center near you.

Pro-tip: While the Denver Health campus has a Women’s Care Clinic, the Family Health Centers at Eastside and Westside feature dedicated Women’s Care Clinics as well.

Need a mammogram? Have wheels, will travel

Denver Health’s Women’s Mobile Clinic travels to several areas in Denver and provides mammograms on site. If you know that you just need a mammogram, definitely take advantage of the mobile clinic. It takes the hassle out of trying to schedule an appointment at a regular clinic and is super convenient!

Visit our website for the latest schedule to see if the mobile clinic will roll into your neighborhood.

Don’t delay your health!

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