Cancer Screening Recommendations for Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Diverse People

Routine breast/chest cancer screening is every 2 years for most people. 

Trans women, non-binary, and gender diverse people age 50-69:

• who have taken gender-affirming hormones for 5 or more years.

Recommendation: Routine screening mammograms at a BreastCheck site (no doctor's referral required) or a diagnostic imaging site (doctor's referral required). 

• who have taken gender-affirming hormones for 5 or more years and have breast implants.

Recommendation: Routine screening mammograms at a diagnostic imaging site (doctor's referral required). 

• who have not taken gender-affirming hormones or have taken gender-affirming hormones for less than 5 years.

Recommendation: Routine screening mammograms are not recommended. 

Trans men, non-binary, and gender diverse people age 50-69:

• who still have breast tissue (have not had top surgery).

Recommendation: Routine screening mammograms at a BreastCheck site (no referral needed) or a diagnostic imaging site (doctor's referral required). 

• who no longer have breast tissue (have had top surgery).

Recommendation: Individualized assessment is required at a diagnostic imaging centre (doctor's referral required).

Trans women, men, non-binary, and gender diverse people age 70-74:

• There is no evidence to recommend for or against screening in this population. Guidelines similar to those used for trans, non-binary, and gender diverse people age 50-69 would likely apply. 

BreastCheck Access

• Those eligible for screening at a BreastCheck site can call BreastCheck at 1-855-95-CHECK (1-855-952-4325) to make a screening mammogram appointment. 

Recommendations for people who have a cervix or neo-cervix age 21-69, and have ever had sexual contact. Sexual contact refers to:

• oral, genital, or anal skin-to-skin contact, or

• sex with shared sex toys.

Routine cervical cancer screening is every 3 years for most people. 

Trans women, non-binary, and gender diverse people:

• who have had bottom surgery (vaginoplasty) with the creation of a neo-cervix.

Recommendation: Routine cervical cancer screening is recommended. 

• who have had bottom surgery (vaginoplasty) without the creation of a neo-cervix.

Recommendation: Cervical cancer screening is not recommended.

• who have not had bottom surgery (vaginoplasty).

Recommendation: Routine cervical cancer screening is not recommend.

Trans men, non-binary, and gender diverse people:

• who have not had their cervix removed.

Recommendation: routine cervical cancer screening with a Pap test. 

• who have had their cervix removed and have a history of high-grade dysplasia or cervical cancer.

Recommendation: Routine cervical cancer screening with a vault test.

• who have had their cervix removed and do not have a history of high-grade dysplasia or cervical cancer.

Recommendation: Cervical cancer screening is not recommended.

CervixCheck Access

• Those eligible to participate in cervical cancer screening should make an appointment with their primary care provider or visit the CervixCheck website to find a cervical cancer screening clinic. 

Most people age 50-74 at average risk of colon or rectal cancer, regardless of their gender identity, should do a colon cancer screening test every 2 years.

ColonCheck Access

Those eligible to participate in colorectal cancer screening can request a kit at ColonCheck.