Transgender women may have undergone gender-affirming surgery to create a vagina and, in some cases, a cervix. So, they may need to arrange regular cervical screenings. Those who have not had this surgery do not need to attend cervical cancer screenings.
If a transgender woman decides to have gender-affirming surgery, this may include the construction of a vagina, or neo-vagina, and a cervix, or neo-cervix. People may also refer to this surgery as vaginoplasty.
A transgender woman who has a neo-vagina or neo-cervix may be at risk of developing cancer in the tissue.
This article will look at the risk of a transgender woman developing cervical cancer and discuss the recommended guidelines for cervical cancer screening for transgender women.

Transgender women who have not had a vaginoplasty are not at risk of developing cervical cancer.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, there is a small chance of transgender women developing cancer if they have a neo-cervix or neo-vagina.
The
When a transgender woman undergoes a vaginoplasty, a surgeon will
Penile skin can also contract HPV, which can lead to a transgender woman developing cancer in the neo-cervix or neo-vagina.
Cervical screenings test for the presence of HPV and precancerous cells. There is limited research available regarding the need for transgender women to undergo cervical cancer screenings.
In Canada, screening guidelines recommend that transgender women with a neo-cervix have routine cervical cancer screenings.
However, they do not recommend cervical cancer screenings for those who have undergone a vaginoplasty without the creation of a neo-cervix.
If a person is unsure whether they need to have cervical screenings, they should speak with a healthcare professional.
Little information exists regarding cervical cancer screening guidelines for transgender women. As a result, a person may wish to speak with a healthcare professional about any cancer screenings they may need.
A transgender woman should receive routine screenings after the creation of a neo-cervix.
According to the
After an initial cervical cancer screening, a person should undergo screening every 3 years if the result is normal. Between the ages of 30 and 65 years, a person may have a few different screening options:
- Pap smear only: A Pap smear checks for precancerous cells. If a person has a normal test result, they may not need another test until 3 years have passed.
- HPV test only: If a person has a normal HPV result, they may be able to wait 5 years before their next test.
- Both HPV and Pap smear: If both of these results are normal, the next screening does not need to take place until 5 years have passed.
After the age of 65 years, a person may not require cervical cancer screening if they have had normal results for several years.
Cervical cancer screening may be more difficult for a transgender woman. Certain healthcare professionals may not understand the risk of cervical cancer in transgender women. This can lead to people not receiving the care they need.
It is important for a person to see a healthcare professional who is educated about their healthcare requirements.
The following tools may help people find transgender-friendly doctors:
- TransFriendly’s online search tool
- OutCare’s online search tool
- Transgender Care Listings’ online search tool
- GLMA’s online provider directory
- Trans Healthcare Intelligence’s online search tool, based in the United Kingdom
- Action for Trans Health’s list of trans-friendly GPs in the U.K.
There are certain cancers that a transgender woman should receive regular screenings for.
These cancers include:
Neo-vaginal cancer
Neo-vaginal tumors tend to develop at the back of the neo-vagina, known as the apex. The apex is the deepest part of the neo-vagina.
Researchers recommend that trans women have frequent gynecological checks. These checks can look for signs of cancer or any other health issues that might affect the neo-vagina.
Prostate cancer
A person assigned male at birth (AMAB) will generally have a prostate. If a transgender woman decides to have a vaginoplasty, this surgical procedure will
There are no specific recommendations on when to undergo prostate cancer screenings. The
If a person chooses to have prostate cancer screenings, they only need a test every 2 years if they have a normal result. If a person has an abnormal test result, they may need to undergo yearly tests.
Researchers believe that prostate cancer may be
Breast cancer
Although rare, breast cancer can develop in transgender women who have not undergone any gender-affirming surgery.
The
If a transgender woman has undergone gender-affirming surgery that involves the creation of a neo-cervix, they have a small risk of developing cervical cancer. Cervical cancer usually occurs due to HPV, which can also affect the penile tissues that surgeons use to create the neo-cervix.
There are no specific guidelines regarding how often transgender women should undergo screenings for cervical cancer. However, experts recommend that they receive routine cervical cancer screenings.
Screening may also be advisable for other types of cancer, including prostate cancer and breast cancer. People can speak with a transgender-friendly healthcare professional about any cancer screenings they may require.