Early detection of cervical and breast cancer in transgender and allogender individuals assigned female at birth: a scoping review

Background: Transgender and Allogender Individuals Assigned Female At Birth (transgender and allogender individuals AFAB) face obstacles and inequalities in healthcare access compared to cisgender individuals. These challenges derive from social stigma, knowledge gaps, and scarcity of professionals trained to address the specific needs of these populations. Since transgender and allogender individuals AFAB may retain breast tissue and a cervix, they require integral sexual health care, including early detection of cervical and breast cancer. However, specific barriers and guidelines for early detection in these populations remain undefined.Aim: To review literature on early cervical and breast cancer screening in transgender and allogender individuals AFAB and identify research gaps.Methods: This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, and the report adhered to the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Searches were conducted across seven databases, including peer-reviewed and grey literature. Study selection was conducted independently by two reviewers using RAYYAN software. Data from selected studies were analyzed qualitatively by thematic analysis.Results: Out of 709 identified studies, 61 articles and 5 grey literature documents were included in the review dataset. The majority of these were published in 2020 (24.2%), originating from the USA (72.7%), and employing a cross-sectional design (39.4%). From the thematic analysis, six main themes were identified for cervical cancer and five for breast cancer. Among these, five themes were common to both types of cancer: screening rates, barriers, strategies, guidelines, and the role of healthcare professionals. The theme of knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes was found solely in the context of cervical cancer. Conclusions: The evidence indicates that healthcare attention for cervical and breast cancer remains predominantly linked to sex assigned at birth, neglecting gender implications for transgender and allogender AFAB populations. The existing disparities in detection rates and access present a significant challenge in gynecological care for these groups.