Aspects to consider regarding breast cancer risk in trans men: A systematic review and risk management approach

The risk of breast cancer in trans men is currently a poorly understood subject and trans men likely carries a different level of risk from that of cis women.

This review aims to review several aspects that affects breast cancer risk in trans men and to apply the Swiss cheese model to highlight these risks. The study takes its cue from a systematic review of all described breast cancer cases in trans men following medical or surgical intervention because of gender dysphoria.

PubMed was systematically searched on the 14th of March 2023 to find all published cases of breast cancer following chest contouring surgery in trans men. Included articles had to involve trans men, the diagnosis of breast cancer had to be preceded by either a medical or surgical intervention related to gender dysphoria, and cases needed to involve invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ. Articles were excluded if gender identity in the case subject was unclear and/or a full English version of the report was unavailable. Quality and risk of bias was evaluated using the GRADE protocol. A literature review of specific risk altering aspects in this population followed. The Swiss cheese model was employed to present a risk analysis and to propose ways of managing this risk.

28 cases of breast cancer in trans men have been published. The Swiss cheese model identified several weaknesses associated with methods of preventing breast cancer in trans men.

This study may highlight the difficulties with managing risk factors concerning breast cancer in trans men to clinicians not encountering this patient group frequently.

This review finds that evidence for most aspects concerning breast cancer in trans men are inadequate, which supports the establishment of a risk-management approach to breast cancer in trans men.