Transgender and non-binary people and cancer

If you are transgender (trans), non-binary, or both, you may have questions about how this may affect your risk of cancer, or the screening or treatment you may need.

Your gender does not affect your rights to safe, high-quality care. But we know that sometimes trans and non-binary people deal with extra challenges when trying to get the right help.

Trans and non-binary people may also find our page about LGBTQIA+ people with cancer treatment. It includes information about:

• talking to your healthcare team
• coping with negative healthcare experiences
• cancer, sex and fertility
• finding support.

If you need trans, non-binary or gender queer support now, contact:

• the LGBT Foundation
• Mindline Trans+
• Switchboard, the LGBT+ Helpline.

If you need to stay in hospital, your team should talk to you about where you will stay. Hospital wards may be single-sex or mixed. Some rooms may have beds for several patients and shared bathrooms. Others may have single rooms with private bathrooms.

You can tell your team in advance what option or ward you prefer, and what feels comfortable and right for you. Sometimes the hospital may not be able to offer this. But wherever you stay should give you privacy, keep you safe and respect your dignity.

Some health conditions are still often treated in clinics with gendered names or settings. For example, you may be referred to:

• a breast clinic – if you need tests to check a lump in the breast or chest
• a women’s health clinic – if you have a problem affecting the vagina or nearby pelvic areas
• a men’s health clinic – if you have a problem affecting the prostate.

Attending a clinic that does not match your gender can be difficult. If your GP is arranging your appointment, you could ask them to tell the clinic in advance that you are trans or non-binary. 

Or you may want to contact the clinic yourself before your appointment and talk to them. They may be able to make things easier for you. For example, they may be able to offer you: 

• an early or late appointment, when the waiting room is quieter
• an alternative place to wait
• an appointment in a different part of the hospital where possible.

The Equality Act is the law that protects certain groups of people from unfair treatment in England, Scotland and Wales.

In 2026, guidelines were published to explain how this law affects single-sex spaces. Single-sex means any service or space that is only ‘for men’ or ‘for women’. It includes some hospital wards and clinics.

We know that transgender and non-binary people may have questions about these guidelines. For example, how do the guidelines affect where transgender and non-binary people will stay if admitted to hospital? 

OUTpatients has more information – New NHS guidance on single-sex spaces released today: what does it mean for trans cancer patients?

You can find information about how the NHS will apply the guidelines from NHS England at england.nhs.uk

It is important to know that the guidelines do not change your NHS patient rights. Your healthcare team should always offer you care, support and information that meets your needs. They should: 

• consider what is important to you, including any concerns about gender identity or about unfair or unsafe treatment
• treat you as an individual 
• respect your privacy and dignity
• give you care that is as safe and effective as possible.

If you are worried, try to speak to someone on your healthcare team. We also have information about things you can do if you are being treated differently and about finding support.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may have questions about how cancer treatment and gender-affirming care affect each other. 

We have information about making treatment decisions, how your treatment is planned and getting specialist support.

We are committed to making our website as accessible as possible, to make sure that everyone can use it.

We have information about cancer for LGBTQIA+ people in over 16 languages. You can also listen to our audiobook LGBTQIA+ people and cancer for free.

If we do not have what you are looking for, you can ask for information to be translated for free or provided in a format to suit you. Email us at informationproduction@macmillan.org.uk or call us on 0808 808 00 00.