Trans and gender diverse people
We are committed to making our services inclusive, welcoming, and safe for trans and gender diverse (TGD) people. This page provides information about breast/chest health, breast cancer, and screening for people who identify as trans or gender diverse.
We use the word ‘breast’ when referring to ‘breast cancer’ and 'breast screening'. Everyone (regardless of gender) has breast tissue, and breast cancer refers to cancer in this tissue. BreastScreen Victoria understands that some people may find ‘breast’ a gendered word. When we say ‘breast’, we are doing so in a non-gendered medical sense.
TGD inclusive practice
Read our report on how we are developing trans and gender services at BreastScreen Victoria.
For information about breast/chest health, breast cancer, and screening for TGD people see our Breast/chest screening for trans and gender diverse people fact sheet.
Breast screening for TGD people
Screening means checking for cancer before you have any symptoms—early detection could save your life. This table summarises whether screening for breast cancer may benefit you. TGD can people have a unique set of factors that may affect risk. Ask your doctor about your personal risk factors and the need for screening.
If you are between the ages of 50 and 74:
| Trans women |
If you have been taking gender-affirming hormones (like oestrogen) for five years or more, screening every two years may be of benefit. If you have taken hormones for less than five years, or have not taken hormones, screening is not recommended. |
| Trans men |
If you have not had chest surgery, screening every two years is recommended. There are no clear recommendations for people who have had chest surgery. We suggest talking to your doctor about your individual risk factors including previous surgical and hormone treatment. If your doctor confirms or you are sure that you have no remaining breast tissue, screening is not possible or necessary. |
| Non-binary/gender diverse people |
If you were assigned female at birth and have not had chest surgery, screening is recommended. There are no clear recommendations for people who have had chest surgery. We suggest talking to your doctor about your individual risk factors including previous surgical and hormone treatment. If your doctor confirms or you are sure that you have no remaining breast tissue, screening is not possible or necessary. |
| If you were assigned male at birth and have been taking gender-affirming hormones (like oestrogen) for five years or more, screening every two years may be of benefit. |
More information
FAQ
Our research identified the following barriers to screening for TGD people: staff ignorance, transphobia, fear of being mis-gendered or having to ‘out’ themselves, not knowing about screening, embarrassment, fear of the test causing dysphoria/anxiety.
These barriers not only impact negatively on a person’s experience and choice, but can also deter an individual from accessing routine screening due to lack of awareness, or fear of the ignorance or discrimination they may encounter.
We ask this question of all clients when they make their booking. This is because you may require a longer appointment (approximately 20 minutes) as we must make sure the implant does not impact on the quality of the mammogram being taken. For more information see our screening with implants fact sheet.
We ask this question of all clients when they make their booking. People who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may develop denser breast tissue, which may affect the appearance of your screening images. It is more difficult to detect breast cancer in dense breasts. Read more about breast density here.
BreastScreen Victoria does not provide screening to any clients, regardless of gender, who have had a double mastectomy. We suggest talking to your doctor about your individual risk factors including previous surgical and hormone treatment. If your doctor confirms or you are sure that you have no remaining breast tissue, screening is not possible.