Gender Brokers and the Medicalization of SGM Breast Cancer Reconstruction Surgery

• In Event: 21081 - Section on Sociology of Body and Embodiment Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 1: Gender

Abstract

This paper explores how gender and sexuality impact the surgical decisions of sexual and gender minority (SGM) breast cancer patients. Breast cancer patients are often faced with the difficult decision of whether to have reconstruction or to “go flat” after mastectomy surgery. These decisions can be impacted by the patient’s gender and sexuality because of one’s understanding of themselves as well as the assumptions and biases held by the provider. Much of the literature on breast cancer focuses on heterosexual women, or at least assumes heterosexuality. Through the semi-structured interviews of 16 self-identified lesbian breast cancer patients, this paper adds to the literature on breast cancer by including the experiences of SGM patients in the research. This paper highlights how SGM patients present an opportunity for healthcare providers to become better informed about the ways heteronormativity can negatively impact the experiences of patients. I argue that assumptions about gender/sexuality lead some providers to act as gender brokers as they often encourage reconstruction surgery while neglecting the option to “go flat” and in turn are attempting to “cure cancer” by “giving gender.”

Author

• Beth Gaines, University of South Florida