Mammograms?

[Brenda E]

At what point should a MtF girl think about getting a mammogram?  Do we follow the guidelines for cis women when it comes to age, frequency, risk factors etc?

And do insurance companies in the US typically cover mammograms for transgender women?

Just curious.

[suzifrommd]

My doc hasn't mentioned them.

There were some studies on the incidence of breast cancer among HRT-treated trans women and it was almost non-existent - as low as it was in cis men, so it may be that the risk is seen as a bit low.

[katrinaw]

Good question Brenda  Been on my mind for many months now, not sure exactly what to do. As far as should we, definitely!

I am wondering how I do it after so many years on HRT and still not really come out and certainly not FT yet...

As far as Insurance covers in the US can't help... sorry, but here in AU it is covered under our Medicare, ATM!

But a really good prompt for all of us 

Updated: Understand the reduced risk, but given the hormones?

Love Katy 

[Muffinheart]

For me, mammograms pare a necessity as my mother passed away from breast cancer at 49. I've had 3 mammograms...about every 18 months.
As I live in Canada, we don't pay for mammograms or doctors visits.

[JoanneB]

My doc has. All the older (as in over 30 for us aged hippies) transwomen in my group have gotten one. One even had a scare this fall. I brought it up as a discussion topic a few months back. The general consensus was "Insurance pays for it so why not?"

I'm kinda on the fence. From what research I've done so far its a "Don't really know" situation. Risk factors are different for a body exposed to E since 10 y/o for 30 or more years vs one exposed for a few in comparison. But if you're sporting a B cup.....It sure cannot hurt.

Unless, of course, you are dealing with morons like Blue Cross and their bureaucrats trained from Day 1 trained to say NO. (Full disclosure - Insider info thanks to my brother in-law). That plus they probably won't know what a "Mammogram" is. Tit X-Ray sure. (Full Disclosure - They first rejected my EV script because it was for.... Estradiol Valerate  rather then Delestrogen . All the more Kafkaesque since their own mail order web site lists it as Estradiol Valerate ) But I digress




No Dosages Please

[mah]

I had one done in Oct and then one done Feb just be for my doctor retired he had me get one thy show no cancer thy do show as thy are growing more white area around my Areola area he said it all looked good

[allisonsteph]

Before I started HRT my doctor (who worked directly for my HMO/insurer) had me sign a sort of contract that laid out in simple terms the risks and rewards of HRT along with the responsibilities of the doctor and myself. Among my responsibilities was to perform monthly breast exams and to have annual mammograms.

I have since moved across the country and have a different insurance company. All of my legal documents list me as female, so I don't foresee any issues getting a mammogram, but I am having a bit of a battle getting my prescription for an enlarged prostate approved. 

[ainsley]

My primary ordered mine.  Basically as soon as I started to develop breast tissue she wanted me to get them annually.  I am over 40, though, and have a history of colon cancer  --not sure if that has a bearing on her decision.  I am in the US and my ins. covered them (before and after my legal gender change).

[ReDucks]

All of the research I've seen says follow the same guidelines as a cis woman

[ImagineKate]

I'm going to follow the same guidelines as any woman. I'm a woman with breasts so why not?