Transgender peoples' perspectives of being diagnosed with gender-associated cancer

Expert Guidelines

The University of California Center for Excellence in Transgender Health published the second edition of Guidelines for the Primary and Gender-Affirming Care of Transgender and Gender Nonbinary People, which include the following recommendations for cancer screening and treatment:

• For transgender women, breast cancer screening beginning 5-10 years after the use of feminizing hormones.
• For transgender men who have not had mastectomy or who had breast reduction rather than mastectomy, routine breast cancer screening based on personal and/or family history.
• Genetic counseling and/or testing if there is a known mutation in a BRCA or other gene that increases cancer risk or if the patient has a personal or family history of cancer that meets national guidelines for genetic counseling and testing.
• Screening for other cancers (e.g., cervical, endometrial, prostate, etc.) should be based on an individual’s personal and/or family history of cancer.

Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider

• What’s the process for getting cancer screening?
• Which local clinics for cancer screening or treatment are more welcoming and understanding of transgender individuals?
• What healthcare professionals will be involved in my cancer care?
• Will cancer treatment adversely interact with the gender-affirming therapy that I’m currently using?
• Will cancer treatment affect any future gender-affirming care in my future?
• What is my risk of cancer?

Open Clinical Trials

The following studies are enrolling people from the LGBTQ+ community. 

• PRIDE Study: The PRIDE Study is the first long-term national health study of LGBTQ+ people. The goal is to improve the long-term health and wellness of LGBTQ+ people. 

• Exploring Gender Diverse Experiences of Hereditary Cancer Risk: A Johns Hopkins genetic counseling student is conducting an interview study exploring gender-diverse folks’ experiences of hereditary cancer care, with the aim of better educating providers about LGBTQ+ needs and concerns. Interviews are held on the Zoom platform with individuals who qualify. If you are interested in participating, contact Sarah Roth at [email protected].

Visit our Featured Research Page and Research Search and Enroll Tool to find additional studies enrolling people with, or at high risk for cancer. Note: Most of these trials are geared towards cisgender people.