News release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

Transgender people on hormone therapy do not have higher rates of common cancers than anyone
else—good news that should ease many worries. However, doctors need to watch for rare cancers
in surgically created tissues and keep a closer eye on breast and prostate health in transgender
patients. The key is simple: base cancer screening on what organs someone actually has, not on
their gender identity or how they look. But here is the catch—none of this works if transgender
patients do not feel safe and welcomed in their doctor’s office, so creating inclusive, respectful
healthcare environments is just as important as the medical screening itself. By combining smart,
organ-based screening with genuine cultural respect and inclusivity, doctors can give transgender
and gender-diverse patients the cancer prevention care they deserve.