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.
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