If you identify as trans or non-binary, your oncology or survivorship journey intersects both cancer and gender-affirmation care. That means you need care teams who talk about hormone therapy, surgery history, anatomical risk and identity with respect and knowledge.
Screening & prevention for you
If you are a trans woman (AMAB) on long-term estrogen therapy, you may need breast screening similar to cisgender women.
If you are a trans man (AFAB) who still retains breast/chest tissue or cervix, you must still follow breast or cervical screening guidelines.
Ask your doctors: “Given my organs and hormone history, what screening schedule fits me?”
Keep your healthcare team informed of any gender-affirming therapies or surgeries. Those affect risk and screening choices.
Diagnosis, treatment and affirmation intersection
Confirm that your cancer care team is aware of your gender identity and affirmation goals. They should respect your pronouns, chosen name, body goals.
If cancer treatment will interrupt or alter your gender-affirming hormones or surgeries, plan ahead with both your oncologist and affirmation specialist.
After treatment, survivorship care must include your affirmation plan, sexual health tailored to your gender identity, and body image support.
Survivorship and affirmation
Some trans/non-binary survivors report worse physical health, more comorbidities and more mental-health burden than cis survivors.
Integrate your gender affirmation goals into your survivorship care plan: hormone management, screening for affirmation-related issues (e.g., breast tissue in trans women, retained organs in trans men), sexual health aligned with your identity.
Build peer connection with other trans/non-binary cancer survivors. Visibility matters.
Address body image changes not just in relation to cancer but also affirmation: scars, hormone effects, identity journey.
Watch for long-term health risks: cardiovascular disease, bone health, hormone-related changes.
Action plan for you
At your next appointment ask: “How does my gender identity and affirmation history change the screening, treatment or follow-up plan?”
Build a written affirmation + survivorship plan with goals (e.g., resume hormone therapy by X date, visit chest surgeon by Y date, revisit screening at Z interval).
Connect with a trans/non-binary peer group in cancer for shared experience and support.