Association of Breast Surgery Guidelines: The Care of Trans and Gender-Diverse Individuals in Breast Services

The ABS Guidelines for the care of Trans and Gender Diverse (TGD) people in breast services provide a comprehensive approach to ensuring respectful, informed and effective care for TGD individuals in breast services.

The scope of these guidelines covers all healthcare settings offering breast-related services, including symptomatic breast clinics, screening, breast cancer risk gene carriers, breast cancer care, and gender affirming chest surgeries.

Key principles of care include respect and dignity, confidentiality, informed consent, creating an inclusive environment, equitable care, individualising care, data collection and feedback mechanisms.

These guidelines also address clinical assessment, diagnostic investigations, breast screening, breast cancer risk, genetic risk assessment, breast cancer care, systemic therapies, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, fertility preservation, cancer gene profiling, radiotherapy, and surveillance. Additionally, pathways for gender affirming chest surgery are outlined, including referral processes, surgical techniques, and recommendations for surgeons.