title: Perceptions of cervical cancer risk and screening among transmasculine individuals: patient and provider perspectives.
abstract: Transmasculine people (individuals assigned a female sex at birth who identify as male or masculine) are at risk of cervical cancer. Despite low rates of Pap test use in this population, research examining the determinants of cervical cancer screening among transmasculine individuals is scarce. We conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups with 49 participants (32 transmasculine patients and 17 healthcare providers) in order to examine transmasculine individuals' and healthcare providers' perceptions of cervical cancer risk and screening among individuals on the transmasculine continuum. Overall, patients believed that transmasculine individuals should receive regular Pap tests, especially in the event of gynaecological concerns. While healthcare providers' views varied, many perceived transmasculine individuals to be at low risk of cervical cancer. Contrary to existing screening guidelines, several providers believed that transmasculine individuals who did not engage in penile-vaginal intercourse with cisgender men, expressed discomfort about Pap testing or intended to obtain a hysterectomy might not need to be screened regularly or at all. Our findings underscore the importance of educating patients and providers about cervical cancer risk among transmasculine individuals and establishing evidence-based guidelines for cervical cancer screening in this underserved population.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences , Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health , Boston , USA.
authors.forename: Madina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agénor
authors.affiliation: b Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , USA.
authors.forename: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Peitzmeier
authors.affiliation: c Harvard Medical School , Boston , USA.
authors.forename: Ida M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.affiliation: c Harvard Medical School , Boston , USA.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McDowell
authors.affiliation: d Department of Psychology , The George Washington University , Washington , USA.
authors.forename: Natalie M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Alizaga
authors.affiliation: e Division of General Pediatrics , Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School , Boston , USA.
authors.forename: Sari L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Reisner
authors.affiliation: f Fenway Health , The Fenway Institute , Boston , USA.
authors.forename: Dana J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pardee
authors.affiliation: g Department of Medicine , Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School , Boston , USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Potter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D018570:Risk Assessment; D063106:Transgender Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Transgender; USA; cervical cancer; healthcare providers; risk perceptions; transmasculine