Leaked documents from a global transgender nonprofit organization suggest that medical professionals were aware of a cancer case possibly linked to a hormonal medication used for gender transitioning.
Environmental Progress released a report on Monday containing messages from an internal forum of World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) members discussing gender-affirming treatment and associated complications.
This report comes at a time of national debate on gender-affirming health care, with many states in the U.S. introducing legislation to restrict treatment for transgender youth.
One message, dated February 24, 2022, mentioned a doctor’s colleague who developed liver tumors after years of testosterone use, indicating a possible link to hormonal treatment.
There have been previous cases linking testosterone to liver cancer, as seen in a 2020 study published in The Lancet involving a transgender man. While some studies mention a potential association between hormone therapies and liver tumors, the research remains inconclusive.
Another message in the leaked documents referred to a 16-year-old patient developing benign liver lesions after using testosterone and synthetic progesterone for over a year.
Environmental Progress highlighted concerns in the leaked messages about the improvisation of treatments and lack of adherence to safeguarding requirements by WPATH members.
While advocates of gender-affirming care believe it helps alleviate gender dysphoria, opponents argue that increasing cases of gender dysphoria in young people may be related to broader mental health issues that should be addressed before physical changes are considered.
WPATH states on its website that it promotes the highest health care standards based on scientific evidence and professional consensus.
