Are lesbians more at risk for Breast Cancer than our straight sisters? That depends. It is uncertain whether or not lesbians get more breast cancer. But what is certain, is that lesbians as a group have a higher incidence of certain risk factors known to be linked to breast cancer.
Those risk factors are:

• having nerver birthed a child,
• obesity
• smoking
• alcohol use

Medical studies show:

• The risk of breast cancer is reduced by as much as 50 percent for women who have had one child.
• Nearly 30 percent of lesbians are obese compared to 20 percent for women overall.
• Lesbians do not drink more than the general population, but have a greater history of problems with alcohol.
• Lesbians are also more likely to use tobacco.
• Lesbians are less likely to perform self-breast exams, get clinical breast exams and mammograms.

Another complicating factor is that lesbians are less likely to have health insurance, partially because many businesses do not offer domestic partner benefits.
Lesbians may be less likely to visit a doctor for fear of homophobia, or simply the uncofortableness associated with coming out.
For straight women, primary contact with the health care system is through reproductive health. since most lesbians do not use birth control or have children, they may miss early detections of breast cancer or other diseases that women who regularly visit the doctor may be screened for.