Transgender Screening Information
Are you a trans man or woman and unsure of which screening programmes you are eligible for?
No matter which, if any, gender you identify with, it’s important that you’re aware of which screening services you’re eligible for.
The information below is for trans (transgender) and non-binary people in Scotland; it will tell you about the adult screening programmes that are available in Scotland and will explain who we invite for screening.
All NHS screening programmes in Scotland identify people who are eligible for screening through their CHI number.
What’s a CHI number?
Your Community Health Index (CHI) number:
- is a record of your date of birth
- identifies you as male or female
- is unique to you
Changing your CHI number
We understand that you may or may not wish to change your CHI number and have provided information to help you make an informed choice around accessing screening.
If you’d like to change your CHI number, contact your GP.
Below you can find information concerning screening programmes and eligibility
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) Screening
The aorta is the main artery that supplies blood to your body. It runs from your heart down through your chest and abdomen (tummy).
As some people get older, the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak and balloon out to form an aneurysm. This is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
To find out if someone has an AAA, a health professional will take an ultrasound scan of the abdomen (tummy).
Eligibility
Trans Women
If you’re a trans woman aged 65, you’re still at higher risk of having an AAA and are eligible for AAA screening.
You’ll be automatically invited if you:
- haven’t changed your CHI number to reflect your female gender
- have changed your CHI number to reflect your female gender after 14 June 2015
Trans Men
You’re less likely to have an AAA if you’re a trans man aged 65.
If you’ve changed your CHI number, you’ll be automatically invited and can choose whether you’d like to attend.
Bowel Screening
The aim of bowel screening is to find bowel cancer at an early stage when it can often be cured.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Scotland, around 4,000 people in Scotland get bowel cancer every year.
It’s more common in people over 50 years of age, especially males.
Eligibility
Bowel screening is offered to all males and females aged 50 to 74 every 2 years.
As bowel screening applies to both male and female, you’ll be automatically sent a home screening test even if you’ve changed your CHI number.
Breast Screening
Breast screening is a test for breast cancers that are too small to see or feel.
Breast screening doesn’t prevent cancer but can detect cancer early and reduce the number of women who die from it. Breast screening saves 130 lives each year in Scotland.
The most effective way of testing for breast cancer is using breast X-rays (mammograms).
Eligibility
Trans women
If you’re a trans woman and taking hormones, the development of breast tissue means that you may be at risk of developing breast cancer.
You’ll be automatically invited for breast screening every 3 years if:
- you’re between the ages of 50 and 70
- you’ve changed your CHI number to reflect your female gender
You won’t be invited if you haven’t changed your CHI number to reflect your female gender. However, you can still have breast screening by arranging an appointment with your local breast screening centre.
Trans men
If you’re a trans man and haven’t had your breasts removed you may be at risk of developing breast cancer.
You’ll be automatically invited for breast screening every 3 years if:
- you’re between the ages of 50 and 70
- you haven’t changed your CHI number to reflect your male gender
- you have changed your CHI number to reflect your male gender after 14 June 2015
You won’t be invited if you’ve changed your CHI number to reflect your male gender on or before 14 June 2015. However, you can still have breast screening by arranging an appointment with your local breast screening centre.
Breast removal surgery (mastectomy)
If you’re a trans man and have had a bi-lateral mastectomy (both breasts removed), you’re less likely to develop breast cancer as there’ll be little breast tissue left.
You won’t be eligible for breast screening but you should remain breast aware and contact your GP if you notice any unusual changes.
Cervical Screening
The cervical screening test is designed to check cells from your cervix (neck of the womb) for any changes so they can be monitored or treated. Without treatment, these changes can sometimes develop into cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women and anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 34 in Scotland.
Eligibility
Cervical screening is routinely offered every 5 years to anyone with a cervix in Scotland between the ages of 25 and 64.
Trans men and non-binary people with a cervix
If you’re a trans man or non-binary person and still have your cervix (entrance to the womb from the vagina) you’re at risk of developing cervical cancer and are eligible for cervical screening.
You’ll be automatically invited:
- if you haven’t changed your CHI number to reflect your male gender and you still have your original CHI number
- if you changed your CHI number to reflect your male gender after 14th June 2015
You won’t be automatically invited if you changed your CHI number to reflect your male gender on or before 14 June 2015. Contact your GP to make sure you’re included in the cervical screening programme.
Hysterectomy
If you’re a trans man or non-binary person and have had a total hysterectomy – removal of the womb and cervix – you won’t have a cervix and thus won’t be at risk of cervical cancer.
Partial Hysterectomy
If you’ve had a subtotal (or partial) hysterectomy to remove the womb, you should still receive invites for cervical screening.
You’ll be automatically invited if you haven’t changed your CHI number to reflect your male gender on or after 14 June 2015. Speak to your GP practice about opting out of cervical screening.
You won’t be automatically invited if you’ve changed your CHI number to reflect your male gender on or before 14 June 2015. However, you won’t need to be screened as you don’t have a cervix.
Trans women
If you’re a trans woman you:
- won’t have a cervix
- aren’t at risk of cervical cancer
- don’t need to attend for cervical screening
You’ll be automatically invited if you’ve changed your CHI number to reflect your female gender after 14 June 2015. However, you won’t need to be screened as you don’t have a cervix. If this applies to you, contact your GP.
You won’t be invited if you haven’t changed your CHI number to reflect your female gender.
Non-urgent advice: Still Unsure?
If you’re unsure about what you’re eligible for, what you will or won’t be automatically invited for or have any questions about the screening service, please contact your GP surgery or the NHS inform helpline.