十項女同志應注意的健康議題
10 Things Lesbians Should Discuss With Their Healthcare Provider
1. 乳癌 Breast Cancer
女同志更有可能暴露於乳癌風險因子，卻較少有乳房篩檢，因此較難在最容易治療的疾病早期獲得診斷。
Lesbians are more likely to have risk factors for breast cancer yet less likely to get screening exams. This combination means that lesbians may not be diagnosed early when the disease is most curable.
2. 憂鬱、焦慮 Depression/Anxiety
女同志可能因社會歧視而有長期壓力，對於需要隱藏自己性傾向、或因性傾向而失去情感支持的女同志而言壓力更大，與此壓力共生可導致憂鬱和焦慮。
Lesbians may experience chronic stress from discrimination. This stress is worse for women who need to hide their orientation as well as for lesbians who have lost important emotional support because of their orientation. Living with this stress can cause depression and anxiety.
3. 心臟健康 Heart Health
心臟疾病是造成女性死亡的主要原因之一。抽煙、肥胖是女同志得到心臟疾病最大的危險因子。所有的女同志都需要年度健檢：高血壓、膽固醇、糖尿病。醫療人員可提供女同志戒菸、運動、體重控制等建議與方法。
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. Smoking and obesity are the biggest risk factors for heart disease among lesbians. All lesbians need yearly medical exams for high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, and diabetes. Health care providers can also offer tips on quitting smoking, increasing physical activity, and controlling weight.
4. 婦科腫瘤 Gynecological Cancer
女同志比起異性戀女性，有較高風險罹患特定的婦科腫瘤。須定期骨盆腔檢查（內診）、子宮頸抹片檢查，及早發現有較高治癒機會。
Lesbians have higher risks for certain types of gynecological (GYN) cancers compared to straight women. Having regular pelvic exams and pap tests can find cancers early and offer the best chance of cure.
研究顯示女同志比異性戀女性有較多過重與肥胖現象，肥胖與心臟疾病、癌症、早逝有高度關聯，女同志需要有關健康生活、飲食、運動的支持與意見。
Research shows that lesbians are more likely to be overweight or obese compared to heterosexual women. Obesity is associated with higher rates of heart disease, cancers, and premature death. Lesbians need competent and supportive advice about healthy living and healthy eating, as well as healthy exercise.
研究顯示，女同志菸草使用率高於異性戀女性。即使僅為社交吸煙，抽煙仍易上癮。抽煙與三大女性主要死因──癌症、心臟疾病、肺氣腫有高度關聯。
Research also shows that lesbians use tobacco more often than heterosexual women do. It is easy to get addicted to smoking, even if smoking if it’s only done socially. Smoking has been associated with higher rates of cancers, heart disease, and emphysema — three major causes of death among women.
大量飲酒與酗酒也常見於女同志。也許一天一杯對心臟有益，但將使你有更高的癌症、肝臟疾病風險並造成其他健康問題。
Heavy drinking and binge drinking are more common among lesbians compared to other women. While one drink a day may be good for the heart, more than that can be raise your risk of cancer, liver disease and other health problems.
女同志比起異性戀女性較容易有藥物依賴。可能是因為社會恐同、性別歧視的壓力造成的，女同志需要支持，以尋找健康的方式去應對與減緩壓力。
Lesbians may use drugs more often than heterosexual women. This can be due to stress from homophobia, sexism, and/or discrimination. Lesbians need support to find healthy ways to cope and reduce stress.
9. 親密關係暴力 Intimate Partner Violence
不同於刻板印象，有些女同志會遭遇親密關係暴力。比起異性戀女性，醫療人員較少詢問女同志是否遭遇家暴。女同志也需要家暴諮詢與協助，甚至是避難所。
Contrary to stereotypes, some lesbians experience violence in their intimate relationships. However, health care providers do not ask lesbians about intimate partner violence as often as they ask heterosexual women. Lesbians need to be asked about violence and have access to welcoming counseling and shelters when needed.
女同志跟異性戀女性一樣也會感染性病，藉由皮膚接觸、黏膜接觸、陰道分泌物與經血感染，因此女同志也該接受衛生保健篩檢。
Lesbians can get the same sexually transmitted infections (STDs) as heterosexual women. Lesbians can give each other STDs by skin-to-skin contact, mucus membrane contact, vaginal fluids, and menstrual blood. It is important for sexually active lesbians to be screened for STDs by a health care provider.
Author: Tonia Poteat, MMSc, PA-C, MPH, PhD. Revised May 2012.
http://www.glma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=691
