Disparities in Study Inclusion and Breast Cancer Screening Rates Among Transgender People: A Systematic Review

Background

Breast cancer screening trends of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people remain largely unknown. This is concerning, as data are necessary to inform recommendations made by clinicians to their patients and by national guidelines to clinicians. The aim of this review is to explore the state of existing research literature and provide a summary report of current breast cancer screening rates in TGD adults.

Methods

All articles were identified using Medical Subject Headings terms. Inclusion criteria were all the following: (1) documents inclusion of at least one participant who identifies as a TGD person; (2) at least one TGD participant with top surgery or currently receiving estrogen-based gender-affirming hormone therapy; (3) results that report rates of breast cancer screening or mammogram referral.

Results

Twelve articles met inclusion criteria, six cross-sectional studies and six retrospective chart reviews. Three studies conducted secondary analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System national dataset, and nine articles recruited their own sample with number of TGD participants ranging from 30 to 1,822 and number of cisgender women ranging from 242 to 18,275. Three studies found lower rates of screening in transfeminine persons receiving gender-affirming care compared with cisgender women; two studies found lower rates among TGD people compared with cisgender women; and three studies found no differences between the breast cancer screening rates of TGD and cisgender participants.

Conclusion

Limited studies recruit and report trends in breast cancer screening of TGD people. Those that do include TGD participants have mixed results, but overall TGD people had lower rates of breast cancer screening. More research is needed regarding breast cancer screening of TGD people to inform the development of protocols that ensure equitable access to preventative care.