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About Testosterone

Based on your testosterone (“T”) usage, we recommend that you have discussions with your healthcare provider about cancer prevention. Read below to learn more about T and cancer risk.

How does taking testosterone affect my cancer risk?

The short answer: We don’t fully know yet.
Research on testosterone and chest cancer is ongoing. Most studies so far are small and don’t always agree. But here’s what researchers do think:

• It is not clear how testosterone affects chest cancer risk.
  • The relationship between testosterone and chest tissue is complex.
• Testosterone may change how chest tissue looks or behaves. Whether this increases or decreases cancer risk likely depends on a combination of personal factors.
  • Changes in chest tissue can affect the quality of cancer screening (like mammograms).

[insert image here showing lobular atrophy + fibrosis]

We need more large, long-term studies in transgender and nonbinary people to give clearer answers.

What can I do right now?

• Tell your provider about your T use and your full health history—including family history of cancer and any genetic test results.
• People who have top surgery and take testosterone still have some chest cancer risk. Some follow-up is still helpful.

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