Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Meta-Analysis
. 2023 May 1;32(3):207-214.
doi: 10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000784. Epub 2023 Feb 16.

Risk and incidence of breast cancer in transgender individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Giovanni Corso  1   2   3 , Sara Gandini  4 , Oriana D'Ecclesiis  4 , Manuelita Mazza  5 , Francesca Magnoni  1 , Paolo Veronesi  1   2 , Viviana Galimberti  1 , Carlo La Vecchia  6
Affiliations
Free article
Meta-Analysis

Risk and incidence of breast cancer in transgender individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Giovanni Corso et al. Eur J Cancer Prev. .
Free article

Abstract

Background and aims: The risk of developing breast cancer in transgender individuals [male-to-female (MtF) or female-to-male (FtM)] is still inadequately quantified. We aimed to evaluate the impact of breast cancer in this population.

Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search and review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines through the PUBMED and SCOPUS databases. We identified six cohort studies (for both populations) plus 35 case reports. Incidence and breast cancer risk quantification were the main outcomes considered.

Results: FtM individuals had a higher risk of developing breast cancer in comparison to cisgender men [standardized incidence ratio (SIR) = 63.4; 95% confidence interval (CI), 32.2-124.9] but a lower risk than cisgender women (SIR = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.07-2.41). Similarly, MtF individuals were at higher risk of developing breast cancer in comparison to cisgender men (SIR = 22.5; 95% CI, 5.54-91.8) and at lower risk than cisgender women (SIR = 0.30; 95% CI, 0.22-0.42).

Conclusion: In this systematic study and meta-analysis, we identified that FtM and MtF individuals are at substantially higher risk of developing breast cancer in comparison to cisgender men, though at lower risk than cisgender women. These individuals, in the absence of defined guidelines for breast cancer prevention, should periodically undergo breast or chest examinations.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Baker GM, Pyle ME, Tobias AM, Bartlett RA, Phillips J, Fein-Zachary VJ, et al. (2019). Establishing a Cohort of transgender men and gender nonconforming individuals to understand the molecular impact of testosterone on breast physiology. Transgend Health 4:326–330.
    1. Barghouthi N, Turner J, Perini J (2018). Breast cancer development in a transgender male receiving testosterone therapy. Case Rep Endocrinol 2018:3652602.
    1. Berliere M, Coche M, Lacroix C, Riggi J, Coyette M, Coulie J, et al. (2022). Effects of hormones on breast development and breast cancer risk in transgender women. Cancers (Basel) 15:245.
    1. de Blok CJM, Wiepjes CM, Nota NM, van Engelen K, Adank MA, Dreijerink KMA, et al. (2019). Breast cancer risk in transgender people receiving hormone treatment: nationwide cohort study in the Netherlands. BMJ 365:l1652.
    1. Braun H, Nash R, Tangpricha V, Brockman J, Ward K, Goodman M (2017). Cancer in transgender people: evidence and methodological considerations. Epidemiol Rev 39:93–107.

Publication types