Fact Check: Trans women can get breast cancer

Fact Check: "Trans women can get breast cancer"

What We Know

Trans women, defined as individuals assigned male at birth who identify as female, can indeed develop breast cancer. Research indicates that while the incidence of breast cancer in trans women is lower than in cisgender women, it is significantly higher than in cisgender men. A systematic review found that trans women have a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 22.5 for breast cancer compared to cisgender men, indicating a higher risk, albeit lower than that of cisgender women, who have a SIR of 1.0 (the baseline) (source-2).

Additionally, a case study highlighted the experience of a trans man diagnosed with breast cancer, illustrating that breast cancer can occur in individuals assigned female at birth, regardless of their current gender identity (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that trans women can get breast cancer is supported by multiple studies and case reports. For instance, the systematic review mentioned above analyzed various studies and found that both trans men (FtM) and trans women (MtF) face breast cancer risks that differ from those of cisgender populations. Trans men have a lower risk than cisgender women but a higher risk than cisgender men, while trans women have a higher risk than cisgender men but lower than cisgender women (source-2).

Moreover, the article from the Breast Cancer Now organization reported 15 cases of invasive breast cancer among 2,260 trans women, further supporting the notion that while the risk is lower than that of cisgender women, it is still significant (source-5).

The reliability of these sources is bolstered by their publication in peer-reviewed journals and their adherence to systematic review protocols, which enhance the credibility of the findings. However, it is important to note that the data on breast cancer in transgender populations is still evolving, and more research is needed to fully understand the implications of hormone therapy and other factors on breast cancer risk (source-4).

Conclusion

The claim that "trans women can get breast cancer" is True. Evidence from various studies indicates that while trans women have a lower risk of breast cancer compared to cisgender women, they are at a significantly higher risk than cisgender men. The existence of documented cases of breast cancer in trans women further substantiates this claim, highlighting the need for awareness and appropriate screening in this population.