'We actually don't know much': the scientists trying to close the knowledge gap in trans healthcare
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/we-actually-don-t-know-much-the-scientists-trying-to-close-the-knowledge-gap-in-trans-healthcare/ar-BB1k6tJp?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=56ba4543f2d34ee4a55bbd647f0cb9ad&ei=17
Story by Nicola Davis Science correspondent (18 March 2024)
When Cameron Whitley was diagnosed with kidney failure seven years ago, the news came as a shock. But the situation was about to get worse. His doctor decided the diagnosis meant Whitley's hormone therapy had to stop.
Crucially, he says, the decision was completely unnecessary. "We call this within the medical community 'trans broken arm syndrome'," he said.
The term refers to medical situations – such as having a broken arm – that are unconnected to gender identity, yet healthcare providers act on the basis there is a connection.
But away from the public debate about who should have hormone therapies and when, growing numbers of researchers are beginning to delve into their impact on the body in a bid to improve healthcare for trans people – and for the wider population.
Despite the challenges, scientists say the possibilities of the new wave of research into hormone therapies is exciting, offering the chance to fundamentally change healthcare for the transgender community and more widely. "It has multiple layers," said Heinitz. "It's a beautiful field, I think."
Neovaginal Human Papilloma Virus–Related Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Transgender Woman
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2816221 (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2816221)
Malte Renz, MD, PhD, Stanford University
JAMA Network Open (March 15, 2024)
Neovaginal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) can occur in transgender women following gender-affirming surgery (GAS)... This unscreened reproductive tissue with high human papilloma virus (HPV) prevalence may be at increased risk of developing SCC once heterotopic and inverted, but formal recommendations regarding surgical follow-up examinations, screening, and treatment are missing...
Formalized recommendations could include routine preoperative screening of the penile-scrotal skin used for the neovagina to help risk-stratify postoperative examinations...
The fact that many transgender women retain the prostate does not preclude them from gynecologic oncology care...
Guideline recommendations for transgender women may help promote physical health and broaden health equity with the inclusion of a gender-diverse population.
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Speaking of trans healthcare, have you and your medical care providers considered pre-surgical and post-op oncology exams and screenings?