By Dr Seán Kearns, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin
Two new research projects aim to build a clearer picture of how trans and gender diverse people in Ireland experience cervical and breast screening. The projects will explore what can be done to improve access to screening and support more inclusive services. The research is being led from University College Dublin (UCD) in partnership with the HSE National Screening Service (NSS).
The work reflects a shared commitment between UCD and the NSS to listen to communities that have historically been underserved by population screening programmes, and to use what we learn to improve services for everyone who is eligible.
Why this work matters
Cervical and breast screening save lives. International evidence tells us that trans men, trans women and non-binary people can face difficulties in taking part, including:
- registration systems that may not reflect how they live
- previous difficult experiences in healthcare settings
- a lack of clear information about who is eligible.
Irish evidence in this area has been limited and both projects have been designed to help address that gap.
Improving equity in screening is a priority for the NSS and it has named LGBT+ communities among the groups it wants to work with more closely. These two studies are part of that wider effort.
Listening through interviews
The first project is a qualitative interview study among trans and gender diverse people living in Ireland. The study will look at the factors that help or hinder participation in cervical and breast screening.
This is part of the EU Joint Action on Cancer Screening (EUCanScreen) project and is being carried out in 6 European countries: Belgium, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy and Latvia.
We are speaking with people about:
- what they know about screening
- how they have been contacted or invited to take part in screening
- what has helped them attend
- what has made it harder to attend.
People are welcome to take part whether or not they have ever been for screening. The experiences of those who have not attended are as important as the experiences of those who have.
A national survey
The second project is a national survey of trans men and non-binary people about their knowledge, attitudes, participation and experiences of HPV cervical screening in Ireland. The survey repeats a questionnaire used in the 2021 LGBT+ Cervical Screening Study , so that we can see what, if anything, has changed for this population in the years since. The survey is being run through a public sector gender clinic.
What happens next
The two projects offer something new. The survey will give us numbers and trends at a population level. The interviews will give us depth and context behind those numbers.
We are now gathering information for both studies.
Findings from the qualitative interview study are expected later in 2026. Findings from the national survey will follow once recruitment and analysis are complete.
We will publish a report on the findings and share the results with participating communities and through peer-reviewed articles.
If you would like to know more about either project, email: sean.kearns@ucd.ie.