Bridging Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening in Transgender Men: A Scoping Review

Am J Mens Health. 2020 May-Jun;14(3):1557988320925691. doi: 10.1177/1557988320925691.

Abstract

Estimates of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and susceptibility to HPV-related cancer in transgender men (TM) are comparable to prevalence rates found in cisgender women. Regular and thorough screening for cervical cancer is equally as crucial for TM as for cisgender women; however, despite continued risk for cervical cancer in TM and associated recommendations for screening, studies indicate disparities in rates of cervical cancer screening (CCS) in TM compared to cisgender women. The current scoping review explores TM's knowledge and experiences of CCS and barriers to screening uptake in this population. A range of barriers were identified including the need for health-care services to provide care for TM within the context of a nonbinary approach to gender identity and health. Findings synthesized from relevant research studies (n = 15; published 2008-2019) are presented, and recommendations are drawn from these findings to inform primary health-care providers' clinical practice and care of TM.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; HPV virus; Pap test; cervical cancer screening; transgender health; transgender men.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
  • Transgender Persons*
  • United States
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / diagnosis*