Faculty Collaboration Database

Breast care considerations for transgender and gender-diverse patients. Womens Health (Lond) 2024;20:17455057241289706

Date

10/09/2024

Pubmed ID

39382481

Pubmed Central ID

PMC11465296

DOI

10.1177/17455057241289706

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85206046021 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)

Abstract

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) persons represent a small but growing population in the United States. Accessing inclusive, equitable, and evidence-based healthcare remains a challenge for this patient population. Many TGD persons seek gender-affirming care, including gender-affirming hormonal therapy (GAHT) and gender-affirming surgery (GAS), to help ameliorate the physical and mental aspects of their gender incongruence. Both GAHT and GAS induce clinically important histopathologic and anatomic changes in breast tissue. Consequently, breast care in TGD persons has become an increasingly recognized topic of importance in gender-affirming care. However, there remains a scarce but growing base of literature specifically addressing the unique healthcare needs of breast care in TGD patients. This article will review how to establish trusting patient-provider relationships for TGD patients, gender inclusivity in breast clinics and imaging centers, the influence of GAHT and GAS on breast tissue, breast cancer screening recommendations and barriers, and breast cancer risk and treatment considerations in TGD persons.

Author List

Carroll EF, Rogers C, Summerside M, Cortina CS

Author

Chandler S. Cortina MD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Early Detection of Cancer
Female
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Humans
Male
Sex Reassignment Procedures
Sex Reassignment Surgery
Transgender Persons
United States