Lesbians and breast cancer: September 30, 1997.

The recent news that openly lesbian rock musician Melissa Etheridge is battling breast cancer shocked many readers of The Advocate. Seven years ago the magazine drew passionate responses from its readers over a cover story on lesbians battling the disease. The issue featured an image of a naked breast on the cover and an indepth report on increased risk factors for lesbians.

"The piece that should stand out is that lesbians don't get screened as often as heterosexual women be cause we're not in the family planning or child healthcare system," said Donna Knutson, a cancer expert for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "It's not necessarily the sexual orientation that puts you at risk, but for whatever reason we don't go to providers as often."

Risk factors detailed in the story included not having had children, heavy alcohol use, and obesity.