Breast Cancer Surgery for Transgender Patients: Navigating Gender Identity and Cancer Care
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]: The increasing societal recognition and understanding of transgender identities underscore the critical need for healthcare systems to provide inclusive and equitable care for all individuals, irrespective of their gender identity. Within this context, Dr. Garvit Chitkara, a distinguished breast cancer surgeon in Mumbai and Senior Consultant at the Nanavati Max Institute of Cancer Care understands the importance of navigating gender identity alongside breast cancer treatment in transgender patients to ensure optimal outcomes and well-being.
Dr. Garvit Chitkara states, ‘Breast cancer can occur to individuals with breast tissue, irrespective of their gender. Hence, screening and risk assessment is very much essential for transgender people too.’
Breast cancer treatment of a transgender individual should focus on the oncological as well as the gender identity factor. Oncologists recommend mastectomy to transgender men and women with breast cancer, along with specific surgeries and procedures that affirm their gender. These procedures are a collaborative effort of surgeons specializing in gender-affirming surgeries and oncosurgeons specializing in the removal of tumours and cancer-affected tissues. Here, oncologists also introduce and discuss the breast reconstruction approach to support their gender identity, image and self-esteem.
Being an oncosurgeon with expertise in breast reconstruction, Dr. Garvit Chitkara reaffirms the possibility of reconstructing the breast as an integral part of cancer treatment. Transgender men can seek chest wall reconstruction, fat grafting or even pectoral implants. Similarly, transgender women can go ahead with fat grafting, breast implants and autologous tissue reconstruction, including the DIEP flap procedure for more natural-looking breasts. It is also possible to seek reverse top surgery for those transgender people who wish to de-transition.
As mentioned earlier, Dr. Garvit Chitkara will focus on chest wall reconstruction on transgender males to restore or create a masculine chest contour after removing extensive cancer-affected tissues. These procedures could involve skin grafting and flap procedures.
Breast Reconstruction Options for Transgender Individuals
He explains the options for transgender women patients including implant-based reconstruction using silicone or saline implants to enhance the breast volume and shape after mastectomy. This procedure can also include tissue expanders to create space for permanent implants. The DIEP Flap reconstruction is microsurgical procedure that uses tissue from the lower abdomen to create a naturally looking new breast without compromising on the abdominal muscle strength. The Latissimus Dorsi Flap Reconstruction is performed using tissue and muscle from the upper back for breast reconstruction. Doctors recommend this procedure when using abdominal tissue is not possible.
Psychological Impact of Breast Cancer Diagnosis in Transgender Individuals
There is a profound psychological impact of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment on transgender individuals. They may experience extreme distress as breasts play a significant role in both genders. They could fear or feel insecure as doctors recommend discontinuance of gender-affirming hormone therapy during cancer treatment.
Dr. Chitkara and his team are committed to providing a supportive and affirming environment, recognizing the unique distress that may arise, and considering the psychological impact of breast cancer diagnosis on transgender individuals.
He adds that the breast cancer risk in transgender men is far less than that in transgender women, especially those on estrogen therapy, while cisgender women also have lesser cancer risk. Also, transgender men with top surgery face some risk of breast cancer despite their surgery.
Dr. Garvit Chitkara states, ‘Breast reconstruction in transgender people undergoing breast cancer treatment is beyond the physical aspect as it helps them align with their gender identity and reduce gender dysphoria while improving their self-esteem and body image. I strive to offer a comprehensive approach that takes care of the physical and emotional needs of my transgender patients.’
Dr. Garvit Chitkara performs oncoplastic breast reconstruction surgery, breast conservation surgery, axillary conservation surgeries and mastectomy. He also undertakes Comprehensive management of breast cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy.
Dr. Garvit Chitkara advises transgender individuals to go for breast cancer screening as they grow older. He advises transgender women above 50 who have opted for hormone therapy for 5 years or longer, must seek mammography once a year or after two years. The patient’s family history and genetic predispositions also play a vital role in ascertaining the need for frequency of screening. The need for additional screening tests, such as an ultrasound, for accurate detection, becomes essential for transgender individuals with dense breast tissue.
About Dr Garvit Chitkara
Noted as one of Mumbai’s leading breast cancer surgeons, Dr. Garvit Chitkara is a Senior Consultant at Nanavati Max Institute of Cancer Care in Nanavati Max Super Specialty Hospital, Mumbai. He received training at the prestigious Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, where he served as a faculty member.
With more than 15 years of service excellence, he is considered a highly versed surgeon in oncoplastic surgery. He is one of the few breast oncosurgeons who have received the prestigious European Breast Surgical Oncology Certification (BRESO) related to specialization in breast cancer surgery.
Contact Dr Garvit Chitkara
Nanavati Max Superspeciality Hospital, Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital, Nanavati Max Institute of Cancer Care, Vile Parle West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400056
Orchid Clinic, 405, 4th floor, Shiv Ashish Commercial Complex, 19th Rd, Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400071
The post Breast Cancer Surgery for Transgender Patients: Navigating Gender Identity and Cancer Care appeared first on Daily Excelsior.
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