Rethinking prostate cancer screening in transgender women Bridging the gap in inclusive healthcare

Over the years, the number of people openly identifying as transgender has steadily increased, leading to a greater need for transgender-specific healthcare information. Among transgender women (TW), there remains a risk of prostate cancer since the prostate is not removed during gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) or surgery; however, there is limited knowledge about prostate cancer screening in the transgender population. Although there are few reported cases of prostate cancer screening or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in TW, the impact of hormone therapies on PSA levels is well-documented. Notably, GAHT for TW and hormone therapy for treating prostate cancer share similarities. Drawing on these similarities, we aimed to develop guidelines for baseline PSA levels and prostate cancer screening in TW.

Through a systematic review, we examined the existing PubMed publications on PSA levels and prostate cancer screening in TW, as well as expected PSA levels in patients with prostate cancer undergoing hormone therapies. We also investigated other aspects considered for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Given the limited research on TW, we also included relevant case studies. These publications and case reports were reviewed and analyzed to create a comprehensive overview of expected baseline PSA levels and prostate cancer screening guidelines for TW.

Currently, there are no established guidelines for PSA or prostate cancer screening in TW; however, these case studies indicated a range of PSA values from 3.3 to <100 ng/ml. Existing literature on expected PSA levels in prostate cancer patients undergoing hormone therapy shows a reduction in PSA of over 50% post-therapy. This evidence suggests that PSA values in TW presenting with prostate cancer may be lower than those observed in cisgender males with the disease.

While TW exhibit lower prostate cancer incidence compared to cisgender men, the impact of hormone therapy on PSA levels presents significant challenges for screening and diagnosis. The parallels between PSA level reductions in TW and cisgender men undergoing estrogen therapy highlight the need for revised screening protocols. Addressing these challenges through targeted research and personalized care approaches will be vital for improving prostate cancer management in transgender individuals.