October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Although breast cancer is most commonly associated with cisgender women, with statistics showing 1 in 8 cisgender women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, nonbinary individuals, the transgender community, as well as cisgender men also are affected by breast cancer. In an effort to ensure all of our local friends and family have access to life-saving information, we’ve created this helpful resource guide.
It is important to be gender inclusive when speaking about the issues of breast cancer, to help avoid triggering feelings of dysphoria, or preventing individuals from receiving lifesaving care and cancer treatments. For inclusive care, Apicha CHC may be able to help; in addition to being a gender affirming facility, they also provide referrals for mammograms.
Long Island and Local Centers for Breast Cancer & Mammography
Regarding Self-Exams
Although self-exams are not always effective for early detection of breast cancer, they can still be useful for understanding how your body feels and looks, and thus help you recognize abnormalities for your body. Individuals of all ages are encouraged to do a self-exam of the chest region once per month, to check for any signs of abnormality. Here is a resource for a proper self-examination procedure.
Recommended guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening for Cisgender Women at Average Risks
Mammograms or Breast Tomosynthesis (3D Mammography) are recommended:
-
Every year starting at age 40-54 for as long as a woman is in good health
-
With doctor’s approval, every 2 years starting ages 55-74.
Clinical Breast Exams are recommended every 1 to 3 years from ages 25 through 39, and yearly starting at age 40.
Please consult with your doctor if there is a history of breast cancer, as your provider may wish to start exams earlier or with greater frequency as a precaution.
If you have implants, it is important that you tell the technician prior to your mammogram. The machine must be adjusted to get the proper imaging of the natural breast tissue, and special positioning may be required. Mammography images will also be increased to four views of each breast instead of two.
Recommended Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening for the Transgender Community
Transgender women often have a high prevalence of dense breast tissue, which is a risk for breast cancer, and may also lead to increased rates of false negative mammograms. Transgender women over the age of 50 who have been receiving hormonal treatments for 5+ years should receive an annual mammogram.
If you have implants, it is important that you tell the technician prior to your mammogram. The machine must be adjusted to get the proper imaging of the natural breast tissue, and special positioning may be required. Mammography images will also be increased to four views instead of two.
Transgender men receiving hormonal treatments may be at increased risk of breast cancer due to estrogen levels; excess testosterone can be converted to estrogen, therefore presenting an increased risk. Even if the patient has received top surgery, remaining breast tissue is susceptible to cancer.
Transgender men who have received chest reconstructive surgery should receive annual chest wall and axillarty exams starting at age 50. Transgender men who have received chest reductions may still wish to have annual mammograms at 50 as well, and should consult with their physician. Transgender men who have not had any top surgery or chest reconstructive procedures should follow the same guidelines as cis gender women.
Please consult with your doctor if there is a family history of breast cancer, as your provider may wish to start exams earlier than age 50 as a precaution.
Click here to learn more about Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer Risks in the Transgender Community.
Please see below for a list of LGBTQ+ friendly medical assistance and cancer support programs.
Recommended Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening for Cisgender Men
In general, a man’s average risk for breast cancer is very low, however the following things can increase a man’s risk:
-
Family history of breast disease or genetic mutation
-
Ages 65 and up
-
Elevated levels of Estrogen
-
Lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity, alcoholism, etc.
Like women, men should also be performing breast exams to become familiarized with the feel of the breast and chest wall tissue. Mammograms for men are not routine, and may be difficult to perform due to general lack of tissue, but a doctor may recommend the procedure for men with the genetic mutation.
In addition to a physical exam, doctors may wish to perform the following procedures if breast cancer is suspected in cisgender male patients:
-
Clinical breast exam
-
Mammography
-
Ultrasound
-
Biopsy
Additional Resources for Info & Support
Breast Cancer Resources for Gender Inclusive and LGBTQ+
General Breast Cancer Support and Resources
For a full and extensive list of Breast Cancer resources for all genders, nationalities, ethnicities, and religious groups - click here.
