Transgender people less likely to undergo cancer screening

Despite being at increased risk for breast and cervical cancer, transgender people experience inequalities in the uptake of routine cancer screening, a study has found.

“The population of individuals who identify as transgender is increasing in the US, yet disparities in cancer screening services are widening,” the investigators said. “It is imperative that interpersonal and systemic barriers to cancer care are identified and removed for this vulnerable population.”

In this study, the investigators examined the differences in self-reported breast and cervical cancer screening rates between transgender and cisgender people. They obtained cross-sectional data from the 2014 to 2016 and 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System on individuals who identified as cisgender or transgender (male-to-female [MTF] and female-to-male [FTM]), including responses to questions regarding breast and cervical screening history and primary care access and related barriers.

Transgender participants were less likely to adhere to or undergo breast (FTM: odds ratio [OR], 0.47 and 0.32; MTF: OR, 0.04 and 0.02, respectively; p<0.001 for all) and cervical cancer (FTM: OR, 0.42 and 0.26, respectively; p<0.001 for all) screening than cisgender people.

In addition, transgenders were less likely to have a primary care physician (FTM: OR, 0.79; MTF: OR, 0.58; p<0.001 for all) and to seek primary care within a year owing to medical costs (FTM: OR, 1.44; MTF: OR, 1.36; p<0.001 for all).

“Interventions are urgently needed to mitigate delays to cancer screening, close gaps in provider and patient knowledge about cancer screening, and improve healthcare experiences of gender minorities in the US,” the investigators said.