Ask your doctor for a complete list of ALL of the specific ways treatments and therapies might affect your body image, intimacy, fertility, and all gender affirmation issues. Your identity, body, relationships and future all matter.
You may worry about disclosure of identity, about fertility and body image, about how treatment interacts with gender affirmation. All of these concerns are appropriate. Cancer is not easy.
Common side-effects you should watch
Changes in body image: surgical scars, radiation changes, hormone shifts may affect how you see and feel your body.
Sexual health and intimacy: treatment may reduce libido, change erectile function, vaginal dryness, pain, sensation difference. For trans and non-binary folks, changes may conflict with gender affirmation plans.
Fertility and family building: chemo, radiation or surgery may impair fertility. Some gender-affirming treatments also do. Ask about fertility preservation early.
Hormone and affirmation interaction: If you’re on or plan gender-affirming hormones, your cancer team needs to coordinate so you don’t lose your affirmation path.
Psychological and relational effects: You may feel different from your peers, question your identity, or face isolation. Support groups and social activity groups (e.g. book clubs, sports, dances, etc) help.
Ongoing health issues: Trans survivors have been found to have more cardiovascular disease and poor physical health than cis survivors.