This section discusses some of the ways cancer treatment may affect you as a transgender (trans) and/or gender-diverse person. For example, making decisions about treatment can be difficult when cancer develops in your chest or in a reproductive organ.
Learn more about:
- Overview
- Cancer care as a trans and/or gender-diverse person
- Challenges you might face
- Ways to manage challenges
- How cancer affects trans and gender-diverse people
- Cancer treatment and gender affirmation
- Impact of cancer treatment on body image
Overview
Having cancer treatment and managing side effects often means doctors will refer to the sex you were assigned at birth. You can ask your doctor to talk about you as your affirmed gender.
If you find the information in this chapter distressing, read the parts you feel comfortable with now and come back to others when you feel ready. You can also contact QLife on 1800 184 527 (3 pm–9 pm) for support.
Cancer care as a trans and/or gender-diverse person
Your cancer care team should offer care, support and information that meets your needs, respects who you are, and helps you to make informed decisions about treatment. Your team should treat you as an individual and work with you in a way that respects your privacy and dignity. But research shows that because health professionals have less confidence and experience in treating trans and/or gender-diverse people, they may struggle to provide inclusive and gender-affirming care.
Discrimination and past negative experiences are common reasons why a cancer diagnosis may be challenging for trans and/or gender-diverse people.
→ READ MORE: Challenges you might face
Key resource
The information on this page is also available for download.
This resource was developed as part of the Western Sydney University Out with Cancer research project.
Prof Alison Brand, Clinical Professor, The University of Sydney and Director, Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Dr Daniel Brown, Clinical Psychologist and Researcher, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, VIC; Dr Rosalie Power, Senior Research Fellow and Deputy HDR Director, Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, NSW; Dr Sarah Bishop Browne, Palliative and Supportive Care Staff Specialist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Collette Butler, Clinical Nurse Consultant and McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Cancer Support Centre, Launceston, TAS; Prof Ada Cheung, Endocrinologist, NHMRC and Dame Kate Campbell Research Fellow and Head, Trans Health Research Group, The University of Melbourne, VIC; Dr Tiffany Daly, Radiation Oncologist, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Raymond Terrace, QLD; A/Prof Ian Faragher, The University of Melbourne and Head, Colorectal and General Surgery Unit, Western Health, VIC; Hall & Wilcox (law firm); A/Prof Peter Heathcote, Urologist, Brisbane Urology Clinic, QLD; Prof Richard Hillman, Senior Staff Specialist, HIV and Immunology, St Vincent’s Health Network, Sydney, NSW; Mads Kennedy, Project Coordinator, Silver Rainbow, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, NSW; Dr Sanjeev Kumar, Breast Cancer Medical Oncologist and Clinician Scientist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Madeline Lee, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council NSW; Luke Mitchell, Urological and Sexual Health Nurse Practitioner, Men’s Health Melbourne, VIC; Nadia Reddish, Consumer; Dr Stephen Rowles, Sexual Health Physician and General Practitioner, The Centre Clinic and Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, VIC; Teresa Simpson, Senior Clinician, Psycho-Oncology Social Work Service, Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, NSW; Mel Tume, Consumer; Prof Jane Ussher, Professor of Women’s Health Psychology and Chief Investigator, Out with Cancer Study, Western Sydney University, NSW; Syr Lumi Vor, Community Member; John Wenborn, Shine a Light (LGBTQIA+ Cancer Support Group). We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who worked on the first the edition of this title. We particularly acknowledge ACON and Intersex Human Rights Australia for their extensive input on the first edition. Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag designed by Valentino Vecchietti (2021).
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
