OFD 2025: Welcome Remarks & Transgender Cancer Care: Where Oncology Meets Gender-Affirming Medicine

Transgender individuals face unique challenges in cancer care, particularly in gynecologic oncology. Differences in anatomy, hormone exposure, and surgical history require an individualized, evidence-based approach to screening, diagnosis, and treatment. This session will explore how gender-affirming care principles can be integrated into oncologic practice to improve outcomes and patient experience.

We will begin by reviewing current evidence on cancer risk and screening considerations for transgender patients, with a focus on gynecologic malignancies. The impact of long-term gender-affirming hormone therapy on cancer risk and progression will be examined, including clinical implications when managing hormone receptor–positive cancers. Special attention will be given to scenarios where resuming or discontinuing hormone therapy may influence cancer control, illustrated through real-world case studies of two transgender patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

The presentation will highlight practical strategies for adapting screening protocols based on anatomy and risk profile, as well as approaches to treatment planning when hormone therapy intersects with oncologic management. The importance of multidisciplinary care will be emphasized, including the roles of oncology, endocrinology, mental health, nursing, and primary care.

Finally, we will address psychosocial and systemic barriers to care, such as misgendering, gaps in provider knowledge, and healthcare avoidance, offering solutions to foster trust and engagement. By combining clinical evidence with patient-centered strategies, this session aims to equip healthcare professionals with the tools needed to deliver sensitive, inclusive, and effective cancer care to transgender patients.

This interactive talk will integrate evidence-based guidelines, case-based discussion, and practical tips to support multidisciplinary collaboration and optimize care for a population often overlooked in oncology.

Learning Objectives
By the end of the session participants will be able to:

1. Identify cancer risk factors and unique screening needs in transgender patients based on anatomy, hormone exposure and surgical history
2. Evaluate the impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy on cancer treatment decisions, particularly in hormone receptor–positive malignancies
3. Integrate multidisciplinary care and address barriers to optimize cancer treatment for transgender patients
4. Incorporate patient-centered strategies that respect gender identity while delivering evidence-based cancer treatment