Authors: Victoria A. Brownworth
ISBN-13: 9781580050449, ISBN-10: 1580050441
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Avalon Publishing Group
Date Published: September 2000
Edition: (Non-applicable)
One-third of women run a lifetime risk of developing cancer, and studies have shown that lesbians are especially at risk. They often don't access healthcare because of homophobia in the medical establishment and inadequate insurance coverage. With its diversity of views and experience, Coming out of Cancer includes contributions from Audre Lorde, Ruthann Robson, Pat Parker, Rachel Carson, and Dr. Susan Love and offers information and support for survivors, loved ones, and community activists.
While the term "epidemic" is slightly misleading, according to Dr. Susan Love (interviewed in this collection), lesbians may indeed be at a greater risk for breast cancer because they are less likely to get pregnant, and early pregnancy helps prevent the disease. In addition, editor Brownworth writes, "Our experiences with sexism, homophobia and racism make it less likely for us to seek out medical care." Brownworth, a medical reporter and author (Too Queer: Essays from a Radical Life, etc.), has collected stories, memoirs, poetry, graphic art and articles written by and about lesbians with cancer. The volume opens with a selection by the late poet Audre Lorde, whose Cancer Journals were among the first writings to bring breast cancer out of the closet. An excerpt from Ellen Leopold's collection of Rachel Carson's letters to her physician documents the environmentalist's struggle to understand her disease (the author of Silent Spring saw a connection between pesticides and cancer). Exceptionally moving is "Who Killed the Shark?" in which Brownworth pays tribute to an early lover who endured a long, painful death from colon cancer because she was too poor to have access to competent medical attention. Paula Berg, a health law professor, provides clear information on how to obtain adequate health insurance for cancer treatments. Joan Nestle, co-founder of New York City's Herstory Archives, describes her battle with colon cancer, and there is a moving and erotic excerpt from the novel Murder at the Nightwood Bar by Katherine V. Forrest. Covering a broad range of experiences, this is a rich and useful collection that will have no trouble reaching its target market among lesbian readers. (Oct.) FYI: All proceeds from this volume will be donated to the Mautner Project for Lesbians with Cancer. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.
Thanks for the Mammaries Alison Bechdel | xi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Introduction: A Hidden Cell Victoria A. Brownworth | xii | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A Burst of Light: Living with Cancer Audre Lorde | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Apology to Audre Lorde, Never Sent Sandra Steingraber | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Politics of Cancer Jackie Winnow | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Closure Teya Schaffer | 29 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The New Year Teya Schaffer | 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In Our Own Hands: A Brief History of the Lesbian Cancer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Movement Lynn Kanter | 36 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
not// a story Ruthann Robson | 47 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bone Scan Sandra Steingraber | 54 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Departure Sandra Steingraber | 57 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"A Private Little Hell": Selected Letters of Rachel Carson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ellen Leopold | 60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As Luck Would Have It Roberta L. Hacker | 72 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vibrator Party Tee A. Corinne | 82 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fitting Lesbians into Breast Cancer Activism: An Interview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
with Dr. Susan Love Paige Parvin | 90 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
95 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Handling Your Tumor with Knowledge and Humor Julie Van Orden | 98 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Who Killed the Shark? Victoria A. Brownworth | 105 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A Tribute to Pat Parker Barbara Smith | 132 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Massage PatParker | 134 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It's Not So Bad Pat Parker | 136 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A Scar I Did Not Want To Hide Jerilyn Goodman | 138 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vigil Madelaine Gold | 142 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Blood Money Sandra Butler and Barbara Rosenblum | 150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A Woman Dead in Her Forties Adrienne Rich | 166 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Know Your Body, Save Your Life: An Interview with Kelly | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marbury Joanne Dahme | 172 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Murder at the Nightwood Bar Katherine V. Forrest | 178 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
That Ribbon Around My Heart Olga R. Alvarado-Cofresi | 187 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
and the floods came Victoria A. Brownworth | 196 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Health Insurance: Getting Coverage for the Treatment You Need | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paula Berg | 202 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Against Elegies Marilyn Hacker | 210 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Living with Cancer Joan Nestle | 215 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rose and Vivian: A Love Story Lisa D. Williamson | 219 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Permissions | 225 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acknowledgments | 227 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contributors | 229 |