PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Emily Jay Nicholls
AU  - Catherine R McGowan
AU  - Sam Miles
AU  - Louisa Baxter
AU  - Laura Dix
AU  - Sebastian Rowlands
AU  - Daniel McCartney
AU  - Cicely Marston
TI  - Provision of cervical screening for transmasculine patients: a review of clinical and programmatic guidelines
AID  - 10.1136/bmjsrh-2022-201526
DP  - 2023 Apr 01
TA  - BMJ Sexual &amp;amp; Reproductive Health
PG  - 118--128
VI  - 49
IP  - 2
4099  - http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/49/2/118.short
4100  - http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/49/2/118.full
SO  - BMJ Sex Reprod Health2023 Apr 01; 49
AB  - Background Most cervical cancer can be prevented through routine screening. Disparities in uptake of routine screening therefore translate into disparities in cervical cancer incidence and outcomes. Transmasculine people including transgender men experience multiple barriers to cervical screening and their uptake of screening is low compared with cisgender women. Comprehensive evidence-based guidelines are needed to improve cervical screening for this group.Methods We searched for and synthesised clinical and programmatic guidelines for the provision of cervical screening for transmasculine patients.Findings The guidelines offer recommendations addressing: (1) reception, check-in and clinic facilities; (2) patient data and invitation to screening; (3) improving inclusion in screening programmes; and (4) sexual history taking, language and identity. Guidelines offer strategies for alleviating physical and psychological discomfort during cervical screening and recommendations on what to do if the screening procedure cannot be completed. Most of the guidelines were from and for high-income countries.Discussion The evidence base is limited, but existing guidelines provide recommendations to ensure life-saving screening services are available to all who need them. We were only able to identify one set of guidelines for a middle-income country, and none for low-income countries. We encourage the involvement of transmasculine people in the development of future guidelines.