Transgender People May Be at a Higher Risk for Certain Cancers, But Aren't Getting Screened
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/transgender-people-may-be-at-a-higher-risk-for-certain-cancers-but-aren-t-getting-screened/ar-AA1rkRbj?ocid=windirect&cvid=89d95f7dce4b41bfbdeff4f0ecc7555f&ei=73
Story by Maggie O'Neill (27 Sep 2024)
Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people are being under-screened for some cancers, largely because of barriers to prevention and screening in those communities, according to a new report.
The review, published in Seminars in Oncology Nursing in June, emphasizes the need for more research into how people who are transgender, genderqueer, nonbinary, or otherwise gender diverse are particularly vulnerable to cancer, experts said.
"Transgender individuals face multiple barriers to healthcare, including a lack of welcoming environments, discomfort with gender-labeled oncology services, and experiences of discrimination," said Tyler Kratzer, MPH, a cancer surveillance researcher at the American Cancer Society.
"Additionally, transgender individuals are not included in most screening guidelines, which can lead to patient-provider confusion and cause delays or gaps in insurance coverage for screening," he told Health.
These pitfalls ultimately affect the health and well-being of TGD people.
"We need to address these significant disparities in our healthcare system. We don't have data on these patients, and we don't have screening guidelines," Kelly Haviland, NP, a nurse practitioner and LGBTQI+ clinical consultant at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, told Health. "We don't know what we don't know."
That is rather sad after all these years. I thought there were published guidelines. I know the VA is diligent in doing all of my screenings from PSA, to mammograms, and colonoscopy.
The guidelines they use have nothing to do with gender, it is based on biology.
Do you have a prostate? Yes, ok PSA monitoring.
Do you have breasts? Yes, ok mammograms.
Do you have a uterus? No, ok we can skip that.
It is not that difficult and it is non-discriminatory because it has nothing to do with gender.
It is important to get all the needed screenings and tests.