Built around the voices of transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex people, this decision-aid was co-created with researchers, healthcare professionals, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders. Its mission is to make cancer prevention clearer, more accessible, and truly inclusive.
In particular, we:
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Support transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex people in making informed decisions about cancer screening and HPV vaccination by offering personalized guidance. We help you explore your options and choose what best aligns with your needs and preferences.
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Guide healthcare providers in understanding the specific health needs of gender-diverse individuals. The website also offers guidelines and additional resources to strengthen your knowledge and inclusive communication skills.
Why is this project necessary?
A visit to the doctor should be simple: you seek medical advice, and a trained healthcare provider ensures you receive the care you need. But for many transgender, gender-diverse and intersex individuals, healthcare experiences are often more complex. Instead of focusing solely on their health, they may find themselves needing to explain their bodies and needs, correct misinformation, or even justify their right to medical attention.
The same holds true for cancer prevention. Transgender and gender-diverse individuals frequently face limited access to clear, relevant information and appropriate services - making it more difficult to engage in preventive care with confidence.
- Breast cancer - one of the most common cancers in the region - can affect anyone with breast tissue, whether due to natal puberty or hormone treatment.
- Cervical cancer is a risk for anyone with a cervix, particularly those who haven't been vaccinated against HPV.
In Flanders, we have well-organized cancer screening programs designed to catch cancer early. However, only individuals who are legally registered as female receive invitations for breast and cervical cancer screenings. This approach excludes many transgender and gender-diverse individuals who still need these screenings, while some who have undergone gender-affirming care and no longer have the relevant anatomy may continue to receive invitations, leading to confusion or emotional discomfort.
Barriers extend beyond the invitation systems. Access can also be limited by gaps in provider knowledge. Many healthcare professionals have not received adequate training in transgender health, which can make it challenging for patients to receive accurate information and appropriate recommendations. This is not a matter of individual neglect, but of systemic shortcomings in education and support.
The result is lower screening participation, delayed diagnoses, and poorer health outcomes. This is not merely an administrative issue, but a pressing public health concern that calls for inclusive, targeted solutions.
How do we approach this?
We follow the principle “nothing about us without us”, placing the lived experiences of transgender, gender-diverse and intersex individuals at the center of this work. Our approach combines research, collaboration, and practical tools.
To do this, we are:
- Collecting data through a large-scale survey
to better understand the experiences of transgender, gender-diverse and intersex people with access to cancer prevention in Flanders, on which reliable data is lacking.
If you are over 18, identify as transgender or gender diverse, and live in Flanders, we invite you to take part!
- Conducting interviews and focus groups
with both transgender, gender-diverse and intersex individuals (experts by experience) and healthcare professionals, to gain deeper insights into personal experiences, perspectives, and barriers.
- Collaborating with a broad network of partners
maintaining active dialogue with key stakeholders, including gender-affirming care clinics in Antwerp, Ghent, and Genk, Domus Medica, Violett, Çavaria, Genderspectrum, the Antwerp Queer Club and other community members, to ensure that our findings are relevant, inclusive, and grounded in real-world needs.
This project is led by Thomas More University of Applied Sciences and the University of Antwerp. It was funded by Kom op tegen Kanker (Stand up to Cancer).
