Many surgeons who conduct sexual reassignment surgery
will not perform procedures on patients who smoke
due to the increased health risks
and reduced healing effects
that occur in people who use tobacco.
What's smoking got to do with it?
Tobacco addiction is by far the most important risk factor in the development of lung cancer. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 different chemicals, many of which are proven carcinogens (substances that cause cancer). Cigarettes increase the chance of getting lung cancer and other smoking-related illnesses. About 85% of all lung cancers are in people who smoke or who have smoked. Unfortunately, even if you have quit smoking you are at risk. The risk does decrease the longer ago you quit, but it never returns to zero.
The high degree of risk for lung cancer in the transgender community is not about hormones or surgery. The transgender community has a high rate of lung cancer because of the prevelance of smoking (and we smoke because we are under stress).
Is the transgender community really at greater risk for lung cancer?
As with many other areas of health research, the transgender community is rarely focused on as a specific population for studies about smoking or lung cancer. However, we can draw some logical conclusions based on what we do know.
- In a CDC study, 59% of teenagers who identified themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual reported using tobacco products, compared to 35% of straight teenagers. LGBT's show some of the highest smoking prevalence rates of all disproportionably affected populations.
- High smoking rates in this population may be attributed to the pressure for acceptance, low self-esteem, and the role of bar culture in the social scene.
- It is assumed that transgendered individuals are at an increased risk for low self-esteem as youths, making them more likely to use tobacco for social acceptance.
- Therefore, we can conclude that the transgendered population is at an increased risk for lung cancer.
Blaming the victim...
Lung cancer patients, whether they are smokers, former smokers, or never smokers, often feel stigmatized by their diagnosis, and their interactions with family, friends, and physicians suffer due to this stigma. Because of the stigma, few family members are willing to speak out. We need to speak out against the disease, not the patients. No one deserves to get lung cancer!
Know the symptoms...
Symptoms of lung cancer may include:
- a cough that won't go away
- recurring respiratory infections such as pneumonia
- chest, shoulder or back pain that won't go away
- unexplained wheezing
- shortness of breath or hoarseness
- coughing up blood
- swelling in the neck or face
- difficulty swallowing
- unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
- increasing fatigue or weakness
- unexplained recurrent headaches
- seizures
- bone pain
Because these symptoms can be caused by many different conditions, it is important to see your physician if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Highlighted Resources:
- Trans people and Cancer (PDF) is a helpful comprehensive look at cancer issues for trans folks.
- Access to Care and Cancer Disparity Fact Sheet (PDF) is a summary of information on health disparities for transgendered and transsexual people, published by the American Cancer Society.
-
Cancer Risks in the Trans Community article by Justin Cascio
More LGBT Cancer Resources
National LGBT Cancer Network: http://www.cancer-network.org/
Out With Cancer: www.outwithcancer.com
LGBT Cancer Survivor Program: lgbtcancer.com
Lung Cancer
