Abstract
Transgender (trans) individuals have historically faced many forms of discrimination, especially in healthcare. This discrimination has been reported to include lack of provider knowledge and inadequate service to trans patients. Along with this, there is sparse data available for various healthcare risks that can affect the population, including cancer risk. Limited research has investigated the experiences of genetic counselors with trans patients, but, as yet, no research has occurred about the perspectives of transgender individuals with cancer genetic counseling. This study investigates the experiences of trans patients in a cancer genetic counseling session through semi-structured interviews with six transgender individuals. Interview questions explored participants’ experiences with cancer genetic counseling, focusing on their expectations/goals prior to the session, concerns during the session, and thoughts or recommendations after the session. Transcripts were coded and analyzed, and seven themes emerged: 1) Concern about the physical exam, 2) Prior negative provider experiences, 3) Social considerations, 4) Concern for cancer’s effect on the gender affirmation journey, 5) Lack of appropriate information for patients, 6) Use of appropriate language during sessions, and 7) Perceptions of genetic counselors. The information from the study adds a new perspective to the understanding of cancer genetic counseling for transgender patients, and provides genetic counselors potential insight into practice considerations when counseling trans patients.