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Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Mammogram

Mammography screening have been part on my health awareness program for the last six years.  

My Mammography Screening Visit
I have a history of breast cancer in my family; my mother.  If eventually lead to her death at age 42.  I was twelve.  Cancer and breast cancer have been a health concern and I have always been aware of the obvious risk factors. I have never smoked and do work at living a somewhat healthy life style. US Medicare has aided me with preventive care. All previous screening have been negative and today I had this year's mammogram. 

Historically Mammography screening rates are lower among transgender and nonbinary patients when compared to the cisgender population.  Please note that this is about preventative care and does not indicate that cancer rates are lower.  

Addressing Breast Cancer in Men

Breast cancer incidence in men, though rare, is on the rise. According to breastcancer.org, the lifetime risk for men to get breast cancer is one in 833. Although there are currently no image-based screening recommendations for asymptomatic men, a considerable effort is being made to increase awareness of male breast cancer, its warning signs and risk factors so that men who may be at higher risk can better monitor their breast health and cancers can be diagnosed at the earliest possible stages.  Male breast cancer can and does occur in men.   

However according to Healthline, Transgender women who take feminizing hormones have a higher risk of breast cancer than cisgender men do. The increase in risk is slight, and the risk is lower than cisgender women’s risk. However, the risk is considered significant enough that is important for transgender women to receive breast cancer screenings.

Improving awareness about risk factors and what they mean, as well as generating collaborative industry support on the benefits of breast cancer screening in men [and transgender females], could result not only in earlier detection but also in downstaging at diagnoses and potentially improving survival rates.

According to National Institute of CancerEarly detection of breast cancer with screening mammography means that treatment can be started earlier in the course of the disease, possibly before it has spread. Randomized clinical trials and other studies show that screening mammography can help reduce deaths from breast cancer among women ages 40 to 74 years at average risk of breast cancer, with the evidence of benefit being strongest for women ages 50 to 69 years.

Do you get periodic screenings?   





3 comments:

  1. And don't forget - even though estrogen is protective, don't forget to monitor your PSA . Prostate cancer in MTF women is not unknown .

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    1. Apparently, there is a genetic linkage between prostate cancer and breast cancer.
      Some perhaps will recall the Montel Williams, a talk show host had breast cancer, and subsequent surgery to a favorable outcome.
      I had a prostatectomy (by robotic surgery) three years ago. I still have a regular PSA, just to 'CYA'.
      If you have not seen my Femulate Post, just google ''Femulation and other matters''.
      Velma.

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  2. A good public service announcement. I microdose hormones and my endocrinologist has recommended I have my first mammogram 5 years after the date I started. I will do it, even if the risk is low. My wife is a breast cancer survivor, and her survival is attributable to early detection at her annual mammogram. Lisa P

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