Although lesbians are active in AIDS and often led the women's health movement, little has been done to document lesbian health needs or address them explicitly. Many providers show a lack of interest in cancer and focus instead on birth control. Three-quartesr of lesbian patients report derogatory remarks or ostracism. A further problem can occur if lesbians reject traditional medicine as a result and rely instead on more personable practitioners of alternative medicine whose remedies remain unscientifically proven. Then financial stress adds itself to all the other stress aggravating the illness.
Medical research reflects the high cost of lesbian invisibility.
Only four studies of lesbian health have been published in peer-reviewed obstetric and gynecological journals since 1966. Thanks due to pressure by gay and lesbian doctors, progress is being made. The AMA issued a policy statement in 1994 urging doctors to be more sensitive to gays. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists updated its brochures to patients and doctors in 1995 to include information on lesbian health. In that year as well, the American Academy of Family Physicians held its second forum for doctors on gay and lesbian health issues.