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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 2002)
October 18,200? mews an Patchett’s breast cancer was discov ered by a routine mammogram. She was 43 years old, active and healthy with no close family history of the disease. Although she practiced self breast exams, the tumor was the size of a “pinpoint.” She attributes her survival to early detection, a loving partner and supportive friends. When her mammogram indicated an abnor mality, Patchett thought nothing of it. She was told these things show up all the time and are not usually cancer. The doctor ordered a biopsy anyway. Patch ett, a Federal Express courier who lives in Bend, arrived home from a night of bowling when her partner met her with the news. It was cancer. “I was in total shock,” Patch ett says, “because I am totally healthy.” She went through with treatment: a lumpec tomy, lymphectomy and radiation. One year later, she noticed a discharge from her nipple. Cancer had returned. Patchett had a mastectomy and chemother apy. Two years after that, the cancer returned again. This time she felt a lump in the scar tis sue. Another surgery removed it. Throughout it all, Patchett had the support of Gail Witte, her partner of 20 years, and friends. When her hair started to fall out, acquaintances decided it was a gtxxl excuse to throw a party. “We sat around on the back porch, had cocktails and shaved my head," she says. A few days later Patchett went to work to discover six employees had shaved their heads in solidarity. Other times friends called to offer encouragement or brought meals over. That support— and a positive attitude— was Patchett’s saving grace. She will celebrate five years cancer-free Oct. 27. breast cancer or other diseases that women who regularly visit the doctor are. screened for. K eeping A breast T he good news is that resources are out there. A program funded by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Lesbians should take heed Foundation and the Centers of National Breast Cancer for Disease Control and Pre vention offers free screening Awareness Month by K ath y B eige for those with no insurance or whose coverage is not ade quate. Much of the money he Hambleton Project provides similar raised in the Race for the Cure support to Portland lesbians, their fami is used to pay for this service. lies and their friends who face life-threatening Although nothing is cer conditions. Volunteers assist patients with set Jan Patchett (left, with furry friends Annie and Miss Tucker) says ting up a support network and providing non she made it this far thanks to the support of her partner, Gail Witte tain, some lifestyle changes might help prevent breast can medical services such as meals, housework, cer. Maintaining a healthy weight, consuming pet care and transportation. Their most utilized women who have had one child), obesity (nearly fewer than four alcoholic drinks a week and exer program is a support group for lesbians with can 30 percent of lesbians are obese compared to 20 cising more than 4 1/2 hours a week are all rec percent for women overall), alcohol use (lesbians cer and their partners. ommended strategies. Hudson cites studies indi According to Hambleton volunteer coordi do not drink more than the general population but have a greater history of problems with alco cating vegetarians and women who eat a high- nator Nicki Eybel, many times its a friend who fiber diet, fish, soy products, olive oil, green tea, hol) and smoking (lesbians are also more likely to makes the first call. “There is the phenomenon fruits and vegetables have lower rates of breast use tobacco). in our community of incredibly independent cancer than the general population. On top of this, Hudson reports that lesbians women. I think that is a wonderful strength of In the event of a cancer diagnosis, nearly are less likely to perform self breast exams and to our community, and it gets in our way some everyone agrees: Get support— and get a second times. It’s hard to admit that you need help." get clinical breast exams and mammograms. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Another complicating factor is that they are opinion. In the words of Jan Patchett, “Become less likely to have health insurance, partially educated, and don’t go through it alone.” JH Month. Many medical practitioners advise women older than 40 to receive yearly mammo because many businesses do not offer domestic grams. Early detection is key in saving lives. partner benefits. Lesbians might be less likely to For more information contact the HAMBLETON PROJECT at 503-335-659/ or uimv.lgbt.org/hp. For Lesbians might be at a greater risk for the dis visit a doctor for fear of homophobia or simply free breast cancer screenings call 800-604'CU RE. ease. According to naturopathic physician Tori the discomfort associated with coming out. For straight women, primary contact with the Hudson, it is uncertain whether they get more KATHY B e l g E is a free-lance writer who lost a breast cancer, but they have a higher incidence of health care system is through reproductive health. certain risk factors: having never birthed a child Because most lesbians do not use birth control or close friend to breast cancer this winter. She can be (the risk is reduced by as much as 50 percent for have children, they might miss early detection of reached at kbelge@pacifier.com. T GRAND OPENING! Tour o u r m o d e l an d recieve a $5 S t a r b u c k s G ift C e rtific a te Life in th e city can be exciting and co n ve n ie n t at the Lair Hill H eights C ondom inium s. Nestled against a tre e c o v e re d hillside Lair Hill has incredible m ountain and river views, easy a cce ss to d o w n to w n , th e YMCA. city parks, and Portland S tate University. 2 B edroom , Flats & T ow nho m es From $ 164,950 I IAIK HIT! HEIGHTS 3505 SW B a rb u r Blvd., P ortla nd -1/2 Mile South o f the YMCA " Open 1pm to 6pm Thursday ihru M onday For m o re in fo rm a tio n please c o n ta c t D J M ayer or Mike Mullen w ith the H a s s o n C o m p a n y at 15
