Cancer screening rates among transgender adults: Cross-sectional analysis of primary care data

To compare rates of cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening between patients who are transgender and those who are cisgender (ie, nontransgender).

Cross-sectional study.

A multisite academic family health team in Toronto, Ont, serving more than 45 000 enrolled patients.

All patients enrolled in the family health team who were eligible for cervical, breast, or colorectal cancer screening. Patients were identified as transgender using an automated search of the practice electronic medical record followed by manual audit.

Screening rates for cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer calculated using data from the electronic medical record and provincial cancer screening registry. Screening rates among the transgender and cisgender populations were compared using ² tests, and logistic regression modeling was used to understand differences in screening after adjustment for age, neighbourhood income quintile, and number of primary care visits.

A total of 120 transgender patients were identified as eligible for cancer screening. More than 85% of transgender patients eligible for breast cancer screening were assigned male at birth. Transgender patients were less likely than cisgender patients (n = 20 514) were to be screened for cervical (56% vs 72%, P = .001; adjusted odds ratio [OR] of 0.39; 95% CI 0.25 to 0.62), breast (33% vs 65%, P < .001; adjusted OR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.59), and colorectal cancer (55% vs 70%, P = .046; adjusted OR = 0.50; 95% CI 0.26 to 0.99).

In this setting, transgender patients were less likely to receive recommended cancer screening compared with the cisgender population. Future research and quality improvement activities should aim to understand and address potential patient, provider, and system factors.