Inclusive Breast Cancer Prevention and Care Options for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Oct 13, 2022

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. First recognized in October of 1985, Breast Cancer Awareness month aims to increase early detection of this disease and help vulnerable populations by sharing resources to care and prevention techniques.

Many people wear pink articles of clothing or add pink ribbons to their outfits, bags, and even digital profiles in honor of those fighting breast cancer, lost to the disease, and also to support progress we’ve made in breast cancer research and treatment options. Now more than ever, it is important that we expand our conversation to include more demographics so we can work together as a community and empower as many people as we can with accurate information and care.

Unfortunately, many breast cancer awareness narratives have historically left out critical talking points inclusive care options. 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, but nonbinary individuals, the transgender community, and cisgender men also are affected by breast cancer. In fact, many transgender women show increased risk of breast cancer after several years of hormonal treatments, while transgender men show slightly lower risk than cisgender women according to a study from BMJ in the UK.

Because we care about our friends, family, and our community in general, we have created this helpful gender inclusive guide to help learn more about Breast Cancer prevention and diagnosis.

Reminder: 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. If you are seeking gender inclusive care for medical and non-medical services, Apicha CHC may be able to help.

Mammographies are the best method of early detection, but self-exams are also an important part of screening for breast cancer that you can do at home regularly. Medical professionals encourage you to do a self-exam of the chest region once per month, to check for any signs of abnormality. Understanding how your body feels and looks on a regular basis can help you recognize abnormalities for your body, and when there might be a change that warrants a visit to your physician. Here is a resource for a proper self-examination procedure.

Recommended guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening for Cisgender Women at Average Risks

All cisgender women should be performing self-exams at home on a regular basis.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, the 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.

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: