Ulrike Boehmer Boeken

Focusing on the experiences of thirty-seven women involved in the AIDS and breast cancer movements, this book explores the intertwined social and political dimensions of these health issues through a feminist lens. It reveals that women's motivations for activism are shaped by both personal connections to the diseases and broader political contexts. Addressing diversity in race, class, and sexual orientation, the author amplifies the voices of the activists, drawing comparisons and contrasts between the two movements while uncovering shared motivations and identities.

This book explores the current understanding of cancer within the LGBT community, addressing the entire cancer continuum—from risk and prevention to diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life issues. Each chapter provides a thorough analysis of existing knowledge, highlights ongoing challenges, and suggests recommendations for research, policy, and programmatic strategies to improve outcomes. The text emphasizes the diversity within LGBT communities and examines unique factors influencing cancer risk, including social, economic, and cultural elements that affect health behaviors, screening barriers, and healthcare access. It also discusses the implications of heterosexist healthcare settings and the dynamics of patient-provider relationships, such as the importance of sexual orientation disclosure and recognizing chosen families. Additionally, the book underscores the impact of policy changes on healthcare for LGBT patients and identifies persistent challenges that must be tackled. A comprehensive roadmap for enhancing LGBT cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, survivorship, treatment, and end-of-life care is provided for researchers, policymakers, advocates, and healthcare providers.