Breast Cancer Screening in Transgender Population: Review of literature

  • Saffa Tareen Aga Khan University
  • Mehwish Mooghal Aga Khan University
  • Kulsoom Shaikh Aga Khan University
  • Sana Zeeshan Aga Khan University
Keywords: Transgenders, Mass Screening, Healthcare Disparities, Cultural Competency, Breast Cancer

Abstract

This literature review explores breast cancer screening practices among transgender individuals globally, emphasizing the overlooked population in Pakistan. With an overview of intersex and transgender terminology, the study delves into screening guidelines for transfeminine and transmasculine patients, considering hormone therapy and surgery. Worldwide statistics on transgender and intersex populations are provided, highlighting the unique challenges they face, particularly in Pakistan, where societal discrimination and healthcare barriers persist.

Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar from the Year 2000 till todate.The review synthesizes breast cancer screening recommendations in transgender population from ACR, WPATH, UCSF, and the Canadian Cancer Society, revealing variations in guidelines. It concludes with a call for tailored screening protocols for Pakistan’s transgender community and recommends a comprehensive study due to the absence of data in Southeast Asia. The unstructured abstract underscores the need for nuanced, personalized screening strategies and emphasizes the critical gap in knowledge specific to breast cancer in this marginalized population.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.8.9132

How to cite this: Tareen S, Mooghal M, Shaikh K, Zeeshan S. Breast Cancer Screening in Transgender Population: Review of literature. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(8):1847-1852. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.8.9132

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Author Biographies

Saffa Tareen, Aga Khan University

Resident, Department of Surgery

Mehwish Mooghal, Aga Khan University

Fellow Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery

Kulsoom Shaikh, Aga Khan University

Fellow Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery

Published
2024-08-13
How to Cite
Tareen, S., Mooghal, M., Shaikh, K., & Zeeshan, S. (2024). Breast Cancer Screening in Transgender Population: Review of literature. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 40(8). https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.8.9132
Section
Review Article