Screen the Body You Have Right Now
-Ann Morell, RN
We are getting ready for summer, wishing for some seasonal weekend weather, and looking forward to all the ways we like to enjoy our days and nights from July to September. Many of us are celebrating Pride Month and we need to have a real discussion.
We highlight a different cancer each month and it is a good reminder to screen for cancer any month but this month I would like to take the opportunity to get serious and talk biology. There is plenty of chatter with opinions concerning transgender issues of health care, gender expression etc., but I am here to encourage you to screen the body you have right now.
If you have a prostate and are over 40 years old, you need a prostate exam. Period. If you have a cervix or ovaries, are over 25 years old, you need to get that vaginal exam. Period. Transgender women taking Estrogen for >5yrs need a mammogram. No matter how you identify, your biology rules the day when it comes to screening for cancer. Reproductive organs have specific risks, and this topic is too important to sugar coat. You have the right to respectful gender affirming care. Early screening and detection can catch some cancers that do not have symptoms. These silently grow and can impact your quality of life if left undetected. CRC of WM wants you to know that we are here, we are allies and we want you to feel included in our cancer care and resource availability.
This isn’t about gender, how you present, what hormones you take, how you express your identity, how you dress, how flexible your gender is from day to day. It is about your cellular biology and your ability to enjoy your life.
It is so important to be able to enjoy your life no matter how you identify or express yourself today or in 20 years. Cancer is not gender fluid, it does not discriminate, and we must screen the organs that we have in our bodies. There may be “trans specific” challenges that present for you and your provider will know what individual care you need.
Please see your provider if you have any questions about what screenings are appropriate for your biological condition and age. Also check your local area for LGBTQIA advocacy centers for more information on gender affirming healthcare centers near you. There is also the Cancer Screening for Every. Body brochure that you can access from the Maine Impact Cancer website:
Okay, now get outside, get moving, get social, enjoy the wonderful foods and beauty of our amazing area and of course, get screened!
-Ann Morell, RN
We are getting ready for summer, wishing for some seasonal weekend weather, and looking forward to all the ways we like to enjoy our days and nights from July to September. Many of us are celebrating Pride Month and we need to have a real discussion.
We highlight a different cancer each month and it is a good reminder to screen for cancer any month but this month I would like to take the opportunity to get serious and talk biology. There is plenty of chatter with opinions concerning transgender issues of health care, gender expression etc., but I am here to encourage you to screen the body you have right now.
If you have a prostate and are over 40 years old, you need a prostate exam. Period. If you have a cervix or ovaries, are over 25 years old, you need to get that vaginal exam. Period. Transgender women taking Estrogen for >5yrs need a mammogram. No matter how you identify, your biology rules the day when it comes to screening for cancer. Reproductive organs have specific risks, and this topic is too important to sugar coat. You have the right to respectful gender affirming care. Early screening and detection can catch some cancers that do not have symptoms. These silently grow and can impact your quality of life if left undetected. CRC of WM wants you to know that we are here, we are allies and we want you to feel included in our cancer care and resource availability.
This isn’t about gender, how you present, what hormones you take, how you express your identity, how you dress, how flexible your gender is from day to day. It is about your cellular biology and your ability to enjoy your life.
It is so important to be able to enjoy your life no matter how you identify or express yourself today or in 20 years. Cancer is not gender fluid, it does not discriminate, and we must screen the organs that we have in our bodies. There may be “trans specific” challenges that present for you and your provider will know what individual care you need.
Please see your provider if you have any questions about what screenings are appropriate for your biological condition and age. Also check your local area for LGBTQIA advocacy centers for more information on gender affirming healthcare centers near you. There is also the Cancer Screening for Every. Body brochure that you can access from the Maine Impact Cancer website:
Okay, now get outside, get moving, get social, enjoy the wonderful foods and beauty of our amazing area and of course, get screened!