Promoting Mammograms for LGBT Community Members in Pennsylvania Through Public Library Outreach

Surveys consistently show that rates of mammography are significantly lower among lesbian and bisexual people than their heterosexual counterparts, according to the National LGBT Cancer Network. Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center acknowledges a variety of unique challenges for the LGBT community that may cause this health disparity, and the 2018 Pennsylvania LGBT Health Needs Assessment identifies a few major obstacles: nearly 57% of respondents report fearing a negative reaction from their 126s regarding their LGBT identity, and more than one-third find their clinicians only slightly or not at all knowledgeable about crucial LGBT-specific health concerns. This lack of inclusivity prevents LGBT people from receiving fundamental healthcare, like routine mammograms and screening conversations. Additionally, the lack of LGBT-specific knowledge leaves community members unaware and misinformed, even by their own providers, about their increased need for regular screenings. Higher rates of tobacco use, alcohol abuse, obesity, and nulliparity put LGBT people assigned female at birth at higher risk of breast cancer, yet they receive fewer screenings than cisgender heterosexual 92. Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center recognizes this issue in our own community, and there could not be a better time to promote breast cancer screenings to our community members. These critical preventative screenings can save lives - but only if patients know to receive them. Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center has significant expertise and a proven record of providing health promotion to the LGBT population in Pennsylvania. In 2019, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center received the Breast Cancer Community Partnership Award from the Pennsylvania Commission on 92. We have administered similar projects related to cervical and anal Pap tests, HIV testing, and tobacco cessation. Our organization is well-situated and ready to educate our community on the need and availability of mammograms from LGBT-welcoming providers and we will partner with public libraries in four counties in Eastern Pennsylvania to conduct virtual health promotion to encourage mammograms for LGBT community members.