A recent study carried out at the Harvard School of Public Health has shown that young lesbian and bisexual females are at high risk of developing cervical cancer as they are far less likely to go for a smear test than heterosexual females of the same age. The new study’s findings suggest that these women are not paying as much attention to their sexual health and it is also reported that they begin having sex at a younger age and with more people. The study is published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
The results of surveys carried out in 2005 suggest that out of 4,224 females between the ages of 17 and 25, only 9% had not been sexually active before. 93% of the group surveyed were white. Lesbians made up 1% of the group and they were the least likely to have a pap smear.
Research has shown that approximately three quarters of sexually active lesbian adolescents and 96% of bisexual women have had sex with men at some point. These figures indicate that pap smears are required for the detection of cancer causing sexually transmitted viruses. Even without considering the figures relating to activity with men, women are capable of spreading sexually transmitted diseases between one another. Despite the fact that there is less risk involved, having regular paps and sexual health screenings are still vital.
The author of the study suggested that gay men and women may feel uncomfortable talking to their doctors about their sexual orientation and therefore less informed about their sexual health.