Breast cancer and gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals

• Published in: Maturitas Vol. 181; p. 107913
• Main Authors: Cathcart-Rake, Elizabeth J., Ruddy, Kathryn J., Tevaarwerk, Amye J., Jatoi, Aminah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01-03-2024
• Subjects: Breast Neoplasms; Breast oncology; Female; Gender diverse; Hormones; Humans; Mammography; Transgender Persons; Breast oncology; Transgender; Gender diverse
• ISSN: 0378-5122; 1873-4111
• DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2024.107913

•Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals suffer significant breast cancer-related disparities and appear to have poorer outcomes.•Gender-affirming hormone therapy may be lifesaving for TGD individuals.•Investigations into associations between gender-affirming hormone therapy and breast cancer-directed therapies and outcomes are sorely needed.
Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals are at risk for breast cancer, but are less likely to undergo screening mammograms and appear to suffer poorer cancer-related outcomes than cisgender women. Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) may be lifesaving for TGD individuals from the perspective of affirming their core identities; however, the effects of GAHT on cancer development, progression, and outcomes are poorly understood.