CHESTcare
Welcome to CHESTcare
Transgender, nonbinary, and other gender diverse (TGD) people have unique needs when it comes to cancer risk. We may take hormones and have surgeries that change our bodies. And, some kinds of cancer screenings can trigger dysphoria. That’s why we created CHESTcare: to help you understand and manage your cancer risk in a way that respects your identity.
“I just wish that maybe there would’ve been some more information available like … What would my risk be like after top surgery? What type of checks would I need to do? And is my risk high enough that I should just do a bilateral mastectomy instead of top surgery?”
—TRANSGENDER RESEARCH PARTICIPANT
(View the Study HEre)
What is CHESTcare?
CHESTcare stands for Cancer & Hereditary Risk Education & Support for Transgender & Nonbinary Individuals. CHESTcare is a resource for people who have had or are planning “top” surgery (gender-affirming mastectomy) or are taking or planning to take testosterone. Our goal is to empower you to make informed decisions about your health and cancer risk.
We provide clear, evidence-based information tailored to you and your health history and plans. This website specifically covers breast cancer risk in people who are transgender, nonbinary, or gender-diverse (TGD). To help with dysphoria we use the phrase “chest cancer” in most places when we are talking about “breast cancer.”
Why CHESTcare?
Cancer risk doesn’t look the same for everyone. It can be difficult to navigate the healthcare system when your needs are not fully understood or acknowledged. That’s why CHESTcare was developed with transgender patient experts as well as healthcare providers and research professionals in the field of trans healthcare, including transgender professionals.
There are lots of gaps in what we know about cancer risk in TGD people. We do know that there are different things that matter. CHESTcare will help you understand your individual chest cancer risk based on the gender-affirming care you have had or are planning to have.
By using CHESTcare, you’ll gain insights into:
- Information on chest cancer risk factors based on your gender-related care history and plans
- What cancer screening(s) you might need for cancer
- How to navigate screenings in ways that are comfortable for your body
- Resources and support to help you access the healthcare you need
CHESTcare is here to help you take control of your health in a way that honors who you are.
Who we are
CHESTcare is currently funded by a Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship award to Kimberly Zayhowski, MS, CGC. Kim is a queer genetic counselor who has been doing research with and for the transgender community since her master’s thesis. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Boston University in Graduate Medical Sciences. You can learn more about Kim in this faculty spotlight article. Kate Mittendorf, PhD (they/them) is a transgender scientist and illustrator whose work involves collaborating with patients from marginalized communities to build effective healthcare infrastructure. Due to the current political environment, Dr. Mittendorf is working on this project from a personal capacity; the work on this website does not represent affiliation with their institution. You can learn more about Dr. Mittendorf on their website. Other healthcare experts who have been involved in this project as advisors include: Carl Streed, MD (he/him); J9 Austin, PhD, MSc (they/them); Ian MacFarlane, PhD (he/him); Catharine Wang, PhD (she/her); Kai Blumen, MS (they/them); and W. Syed (they/them)
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