LGBT Youth Engaged in Cancer Risk Behaviors

LGBT young adults are more likely to engage in behaviors that are associated with cancer risk than heterosexuals, according to a new study.

Margaret Rosario, a psychologist at City College of New York, used data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey given to students during 2005 and 2007. The national survey is conducted biennially at high schools in the US.

Rosario, a professor of psychology, and her team focused on 12 cancer risk behaviors that occur in sexual minorities and heterosexuals in grades 9 through 12. The press release announcing the findings defined sexual minorities as "youth with same-sex orientation." Students identifying themselves as belonging to the sexual minority represented 7.6 percent of the 65,871 students in the sample population.

The behaviors Rosario and her team studied included tobacco use, drinking alcohol, early sex, multiple sexual partners, higher body mass index and a lack of exercise. The study found that sexual minorities were more likely than heterosexuals to engage in the 12 cancer-risk behaviors.

"Sexual minorities are at risk for cancer later in life, I suggest, from a host of behaviors that begin relatively early in life," Rosario said. "No sex or ethnic racial group is at greater risk or protected for these behaviors. Overall, the study underscores the need for early interventions."

The study is limited to behaviors that are considered risk factors for cancer. A follow up study would be needed to prove that sexual orientation leads to the development of cancer later in life.

Rosario's study concludes: "Data on cancer risk, morbidity, and mortality by sexual orientation are needed to track the potential but unknown burden of cancer among sexual minorities."

Her paper is published in the American Journal of Public Health.