U Boehmer

Publications (2)7.69 Total impact

• Article: An ecological approach to examine lung cancer disparities due to sexual orientation.

  U Boehmer, A Ozonoff, X Miao
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  ABSTRACT: To determine whether there is an association between geographical areas with greater sexual minority density, defined as gay and lesbian individuals, and incidence and mortality rates for lung cancer. As individual surveillance data on sexual orientation are not available, this study used an ecological approach to examine the link between sexual minorities and lung cancer. Population-based surveillance data on the incidence of and mortality due to lung cancer from 1996 to 2004 were used from 12 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registries and 2000 Census data on same-sex-partnered households for the geographical area covered by SEER 12. Using multiple regression models, the county-level association of sexual minority density with incidence or mortality rates for lung cancer was examined. A significant positive association was found between both incidence and mortality rates for lung cancer and areas with a higher density of sexual minority men, and a significant negative association was found between both incidence and mortality rates for lung cancer and areas with a higher density of sexual minority women. In the absence of surveillance data, this novel methodological strategy approximates population-level lung cancer disparities for sexual minority populations at the aggregate level.
  Public health 05/2012; 126(7):605-12. · 1.26 Impact Factor
• Article: Explanatory factors of sexual function in sexual minority women breast cancer survivors.

  U Boehmer, A Timm, A Ozonoff, J Potter
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  ABSTRACT: Background The sexual function of sexual minority women (women with female partners) who are breast cancer survivors is mostly unknown. Our objective is to identify explanatory factors of sexual function among sexual minority women with breast cancer and compare them with a control sample of sexual minority women without cancer. Patients and methods Using a conceptual framework that has previously been applied to heterosexual breast cancer survivors, we assessed the relationship of each explanatory factor to sexual function in sexual minority women. Using generalized estimating equations, we identified explanatory factors of sexual function and identified differences by case and control status. Results Self-perception of greater sexual attractiveness and worse urogenital menopausal symptoms explain 44% of sexual function, after controlling for case and control status. Focusing only on partnered women, 45% of sexual function was explained by greater sexual attractiveness, postmenopausal status, and greater dyadic cohesion. Conclusions All of the relevant explanatory factors for sexual function among sexual minority survivors are modifiable as has been suggested for heterosexual survivors. Sexual minority survivors differ from heterosexual survivors in that health-related quality of life is less important as an explanatory factor. These findings can guide adaptation of interventions for sexual minority survivors.
  Annals of Oncology 05/2012; 23(11):2873-8. · 6.43 Impact Factor