To ensure our services are inclusive of trans and gender diverse (TGD) people, we have established a Gender Diverse Inclusive Breast Screening/Chest Care project. Read our report on how we are developing trans and gender services at BreastScreen Victoria. This project complies with the recommendations by the Victorian Government that trans and gender diverse people receive age appropriate screening and sits alongside the Beautiful Women campaign.
Expert advisory group
For the past four years BreastScreen Victoria has been working with an advisory Group including representatives from LGBTI organisations and medical experts. A subgroup of the advisory group has been established to oversee the development of TGD information and inclusive practices. This includes representatives from TransGender Victoria.
Research review and community survey
There is limited information currently available on breast screening and chest care for TGD people. To address this gap we reviewed the research and developed a confidential survey for TGD people in Victoria. The survey included questions about TGD people’s experiences, knowledge and suggestions for inclusive screening.
Policy and information
The research review and survey results were then used to inform BreastScreen Victoria policy, staff education and information resources for TGD people.
Community consultation
In 2017, we hosted an event for TGD people at the Rose Clinic in David Jones, Melbourne. TGD people attending the event were invited to provide feedback on the draft information sheet and provide further suggestions for barriers to breast/chest screening and TGD inclusive screening. Radiographers were on hand to answer questions.
Screening sessions
In early 2018 we started screening sessions for LGBTI people at the Rose Clinic. These after hours sessions, called 'Rainbow Rose', are provided for LBTI people who feel more comfortable or safer attending an LBTI specific session.
Photo by: Lisa White The Social Photographer)
Sharing expertise
In April 2018, BreastScreen Victoria presented the TScreen project at the BreastScreen Australia National Conference in Adelaide.