Perceived risk for HIV, STIs and reproductive cancers among sexual minority women in South Carolina

Limited information exists in popular LGBT media regarding STI or HIV risk among sexual minority (non-heterosexual) women (SMW). Conversely, breast cancer has been labeled the “lesbian plague” in popular LGBT media and prominent figures, such as Melissa Etheridge, have been visible in their struggle with the disease. In order to determine their perception of risk for HIV, STIs, and reproductive cancers, self-identified SMW (n=257) were recruited from a college student organization and two Pride Festivals in South Carolina to complete a sexual health survey. Univariate analyses were conducted and paired t-tests compared SMW's perceived risk for HIV, other STIs (bacterial vaginosis, Chlamydia, genital herpes, and HPV), and reproductive cancers (breast, cervical and ovarian). Twenty-four percent of SMW surveyed reported ever being diagnosed with HIV, an STI, and/or a reproductive cancer. When asked to report the extent to which they were at risk for each of these conditions, 23% - 30% said they “did not know.” Among those who assessed their risk, SMW perceived themselves to be at low to moderate risk for each condition (Range: 1.1–2.9). SMW perceived themselves to be at significantly greater risk for breast cancer than for HIV, any STI, and other reproductive cancers. Moreover, SMW perceived themselves to be at significantly greater risk for each of the reproductive cancers than for any of the STIs. In particular, SMW perceived themselves to be at significantly greater risk for cervical cancer than for HPV, indicating limited knowledge of the link between high-risk HPV and cervical cancer. Additional research is needed to examine if SMW's perceived risk is associated with their access to and/or source of health information, as well as their actual risk for these conditions.