A recent study led by the University of California – San Francisco has raised concerns about the interpretation of standard prostate cancer screening guidelines for transgender women. The study, published in JAMA, revealed that transgender women on hormone therapy may show artificially low results on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, which are used to detect prostate cancer.

According to the researchers, transgender women who keep their prostates following gender-affirming surgery are at risk for prostate cancer. These individuals often take estrogen as part of their hormone therapy, which can lead to misleading PSA test results. The study found that PSA levels in transgender patients on estrogen were significantly lower compared to cisgender men, potentially delaying the detection and treatment of prostate cancer.

The study analyzed data from 210 patients who were 40 years and older, on estrogen therapy, and had no history of prostate cancer. The researchers highlighted the importance of caution when interpreting PSA values in transgender women, emphasizing the need for specific PSA ranges tailored to this population.

Lead author of the study, Dr. Farnoosh Nik-Ahd, emphasized the significance of understanding the unique challenges faced by transgender women in prostate cancer screening. Co-senior author Dr. Matthew R. Cooperberg stressed the importance of developing tailored screening practices to address the long-term cancer risks in transgender women.

As the transgender community gains greater access to gender-affirming care, it becomes crucial to consider the implications of hormone therapy on cancer screening. Further research is needed to establish optimal prostate cancer screening protocols for transgender women to ensure timely detection and treatment of prostate cancer.