Evaluation of health professionals’ knowledge about oncology care for transsexual people: scoping review

Introduction: The lack of data collection on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in health instruments makes it difficult to assess the real impact of cancer on the transgender and LGBTQIAPN+ population. However, there is evidence that trans people disproportionately face cancer risk factors. The lack of adequate screening, combined with the increase in these factors, results in a higher incidence of diagnoses in advanced stages, harming the health prognosis of this marginalized population. The biggest challenge for the LGBTQIAPN+ population without access to healthcare is the fear of discrimination by professionals, often based on negative experiences. The literature points to the lack of cultural competence of health professionals in dealing with sexual and, above all, gender minorities.

Objective: To map the evidence available in the literature on the instruments/methodologies used to assess the knowledge of health professionals about oncological care for transsexual people.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the JBI methodology. The search for studies took place in 2023 and was conducted in seven databases, including studies that answered the question: “What is the level of knowledge of health professionals about oncological care for the transsexual people?” Results: 41 articles were selected that specifically addressed the knowledge of health professionals in caring for the LGBTQIAPN+ population, with a special focus on the trans population. Among them, 18 studies evaluated patients’ perception of professionals’ knowledge, while others used their own instruments to evaluate considering the global context of LGBTQIAPN+ health.

Conclusion: There is no validated instrument to measure the knowledge of health professionals about oncological health aimed at transsexual people, which highlights the need to develop and validate an instrument targeted at needs.

Corresponding author: Fernanda Fachetti Xavier de Almeida (e-mail: fernandafachetti@hotmail.com).