for trans and gender diverse people

There are affirming health providers (see Transhub Doctor list or AusPATH practitioners). And trans and gender-diverse (trans) people often face extra challenges accessing care that consistently use our correct name, pronouns, and gender and offers relevant choices for our bodies.

We know some trans people:

  • won’t have a choice about being out to health providers during treatment, while others will

  • don’t use or don’t plan on using gender-affirming hormones, or want surgical intervention(s) to affirm their gender while others do

Some cancer treatments might be gender-affirming, for example, needing a mastectomy for breast cancer. Even with gender-affirming changes, you might still experience grief and sadness alongside gender euphoria and other emotions. You might not be able to access your choice of gender-affirming treatment options because of the kind of cancer you have, the type of surgery you need, or, due to a lack of services.

  • The shock of a cancer diagnosis can make it hard to ask questions and remember information. Learn about shock. So, it can help to: 

    • take a breath and process with your people 

    • have someone with you (if you can)

    • write down questions before your appointment and after for next time (you might do this with your support person, or people) and bring paper and a pen 

    • record appointments if you can (if you have a disability, let the provider know this is an accommodation you need).

    You might ask: 

    • How will this treatment impact my gender-affirmation during and after treatment? 

    • What is the best team/service/facility/ward based on who I am?
      for example, a trans man might not want to receive treatment at a  women's hospital, a trans woman might not want to be at a prostate cancer clinic with cisgender men 

    • What are my options?

    • Can you refer me to a specialist who does gender-affirming treatment options?

    • Are there trans peer navigators, peer workers, social workers or other professionals who can support me? Some health services have this support, while others don’t

    Many health services ask for information about sex assigned at birth and/or gender. Sometimes the information is used for clinical care and other times it’s collected for funding, policy or research. You don’t have to provide information you’re not comfortable with and you can ask questions about how your data is used, stored and shared. That is your right. Read more in coming out to health providers.

  • Cancer treatment can impact hormones and interact with gender-affirming hormone treatment. 

    If you’ve been diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive cancer, or want to better understand the relationship between gender-affirming hormones and your cancer treatment, it may be useful to have an appointment with your GP and an endocrinologist. There is currently limited research or data around how hormone-based treatments and medications interact with gender affirming hormones. It may be difficult or you may not be able to access the information or advice you need. In this case it might be helpful to ask other people with lived experience. If you’re aware of research or resources, we’d love to hear from you.

  • Some surgeons may welcome a discussion about surgery that affirms who you are, while others might not have enough knowledge or not be open to talking about it. You have the right to be listened to and to seek a second opinion. Read more in: your rights. 

    For trans people considering or receiving treatment, you may want to ask about treatment impacts on gender-affirming hormones (short and long-term) as well as surgical options that align to who you are. For people with breast cancer, for example, you might be recommended a lumpectomy and instead want a double mastectomy. 

    If you have a surgically created vagina (vaginoplasty), speak to your doctor about the effects of radiation therapy.  

  • You have a right to receive safe and affirming care (read more in your rights). 

    If that isn’t happening, here are some actions you can take (in no order): 

    • ask for help from a person or people you trust 

    • ask for a different specialist or facility, which might involve a new referral 

    • ask providers to update your chosen name and mask your deadname in their IT system 

    • ask providers how they’ll ensure your name and pronouns are used consistently by all staff providing you care 

    • ask to speak to the Nurse Unit Manager (NUM), Medical Director or Quality and Safety Manager  

    • make a complaint, or having someone support you to make a complaint (read more in: your rights) 

    If you have someone supporting you, you might ask them to advocate for you on your behalf.

  • Cancer Institute NSW (nd) Telling other people

listen to this resource 🎧