Comparison of lesbian and heterosexual women's response to newly diagnosedbreast cancer

In a study comparing lesbian and heterosexual women's response to newly dia gnosed breast cancer, we compared data from 29 lesbian with 246 heterosexua l women with breast cancer. Our hypotheses were that lesbian breast cancer patients would report higher scores of mood disturbance; suffer fewer probl ems with body image and sexual activity; show more expressiveness and cohes iveness and less conflict with their partners; would find social support fr om their partners and friends; and would have a poorer perception of the me dical care system than heterosexual women. Our predictions regarding sexual orientation differences were supported for results regarding body image, s ocial support, and medical care. There were no differences in mood, sexual activity or relational issues. Not predicted were differences in coping, in dicating areas of emotional strength and vulnerability among the lesbian sa mple. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.