Genetic counselors' comfort and knowledge of cancer risk assessment for transgender patients.

Abstract

Transgender individuals are often their own health advocates, especially if seeking hormone therapies and gender-affirmation surgeries. While literature exists in the genetic counseling field that explores the relationship between genetic counselors and lesbian, gay, and bisexual patients, there is less research that directly addresses transgender patients. This study assessed cancer genetic counselors' education, knowledge, and comfort with transgender health issues, such as hormone therapies and gender affirmation surgeries. A survey evaluated comfort with relevant vocabulary terms and performance on written case vignettes to approximate how cancer genetic counselors would facilitate conversations with transgender patients about cancer risks. Conclusions drawn in this study are representative of this subpopulation, which is skewed toward a younger population. Mean similarity between responses and predetermined correct answers on the case vignettes was 78.5%. A majority of participants endorsed wanting more education on implications of transgender identity on cancer risk assessment, a need underscored by some participants reporting their discomfort asking about gender pronouns. There was an overall lack of consensus on breast cancer screening based on estrogen therapy, pedigree symbol use, and testing of a minor prior to hormone therapy. This study adds to the growing literature that highlights the educational needs specific to genetic counseling to promote individualized care for transgender patients.