Homosexual men are more prone to cancer than heterosexual men, informs a new study completed by “Cancer Research UK”. Lesbians and bisexual women also have worse health status than heterosexual women.
3,690 men and 7,252 women with cancer were surveyed in 2001, 2003 and 2005. Of these, 918 women and 1,493 men said they were gay, and 1,116 were bisexual. According to the study, it appeared that gay men are two times at a higher risk of cancer than heterosexual men.
The main cause is HPV (Human Papilloma virus) and HIV infection. “Immunization programs against HPV in girls should be extended to boys, considering the throat and rectal cancer incidence in men”, points out Dr. Jason Warriner, an author of the study.
Lesbians and bisexual women are more stressed
Other causes of the phenomenon can be smoking and alcoholism, which are more frequent in homosexuals than in heterosexuals. Lesbian or bisexual women have worse health than heterosexuals, is another finding of the study.
Doctors have explained: “lesbian and bisexual women have a poorer health status due to psychological stress, discrimination, and violence”, say researchers.