We know it exists
Well, lets just sum up breast cancer for people looking for simple answers. Breast cancer, just like any other cancer, is a result of growth of normal tissue out of control to a point wherein the cells behave aggressively and tend to spread to organs away from the organ of origin, like liver, bones and brain. While people tend to understand breast cancer in cis gendered women, there exists a gap in understanding and accepting the fact that breast cancer can, indeed, occur in cis men, trans- women and men.
The current data regarding breast cancer includes mainly only females, so do all the studies related to breast cancer.
What is lacking is the inclusivity of trans- data in this pool of numbers. Familiar much?
The reasons for this is multi fold:
1. Heterogeneity of the population
2. Lack of awareness
3. Neglect
One study looked into the prevalence of breast cancer in the trans- population and found that the numbers are significantly higher in trans women (male gender assigned at birth). Much like the role of feminizing hormones in the causation of breast cancer in cis women, the trans women are at increased risk of breast cancer and this was proportional to the amount and duration of hormonal treatment. In other words, genotypical male population approach the risk of genotypical female population with regards to breast cancer. However, the risk remains the same in trans men (female gender assigned at birth) irrespective of the hormonal supplement.
Enough said about the why and how. The real question is, why are we not talking about it?
Again, multifactorial.
-Awareness
-Stigmata
-Financial support
There is so much as a society that we can do to solve one third of the hurdles around trans men and women by removing the “stigma” factor.
How to educate yourself?
The answer is, KNOW YOUR BODY!
Every 3 months or so, make it a point to take a long and good look at yourself. Strip and see your beautiful self in the mirror and be sure to note one or more of the following signs:
I recently came across this wonderful website called knowyourlemons.org
I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a support group, financial support or further information on the subject.
Once you’re done admiring the beauty that is your body, why won’t you just touch yourself for a moment. The right way to do this is by placing the right hand behind your head and using the left hand to feel for lumps and bumps in the right breast and in the armpit by circular motion of the palm of the fingers, and repeat the same on the left breast with the right hand.
Now that you’re done seeing and touching yourself and say you DO find something amiss.
You meet your doctor.
Your doctor will first examine you and runs a couple of tests like mammogram and core needle biopsy. Remember that a biopsy is the final proof of cancer and further tests like immunohistochemistry will decide the course of treatment.
Your doctor may advise further investigations to stage the cancer, like X-ray chest, PET CT, Bone scan etc. In certain exceptional cases, one may have to order and MRI of breast to map the lesion. Now depending upon a thorough discussion between you and your doctor, you may undergo complete or partial removal of the breast along with sampling or complete removal of the lymph nodes in the armpit.
The above 2 paragraphs are 2 chapter long jargons in our text books so let your doctor guide you.
But the first step towards this is by you alone.
Knowledge is power.
And with great power come great responsibilities. (Sorry)
And what greater responsibility than of your own life, my queen!
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