Screening information for the transgender community

No matter which, if any, gender you identify with, it's important you're aware of which screening services you're eligible for. This screening information is provided to help you access the screening you're eligible for. 

Screening and your Community Health Index (CHI) number

Your Community Health Index (CHI) number:

  • is a record of your date of birth
  • identifies you as male or female
  • is unique to you

All NHS screening programmes in Scotland identify people who are eligible for screening through their CHI number. The screening services you are called for will depend on whether your CHI number identifies you as male or female. Whether you wish to change your CHI number as you transition is your choice. 

Changing your CHI number

 If you'd like to change your CHI number, speak to your GP.

If you changed your CHI number before 14 June 2015

It isn't always possible to identify people who've moved to Scotland or transitioned before 14 June 2015.

You won't be automatically called for screening if you changed your CHI to reflect your gender transition before 14 June 2015. If you transitioned after 14 June 2015 you will be automatically called.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening eligibility

AAA screening is offered to those who:

  • are male or assigned male at birth (AMAB)
  • are 65 years or older
  • have not been screened for an AAA before
Trans women and AMAB non-binary people

If you're a trans woman or an AMAB non-binary person, you're still at higher risk of having an AAA. You'll be eligible for AAA screening when you're 65 years old.

You'll be automatically invited if you:

  • haven't changed your CHI number to reflect a female gender
  • have changed your CHI number to reflect a female gender after 14 June 2015

You won't be automatically invited if you've changed your CHI number to reflect a female gender on or before 14 June 2015. You should contact your local AAA screening centre for a self-referral.

Trans men and AFAB non-binary people

You're less likely to have an AAA if you're a trans man or an AFAB non-binary person.

If you've changed your CHI number to reflect a male gender, you'll be automatically invited and can choose whether you'd like to attend.

Read more about AAA screening

Bowel screening

Bowel screening is offered everyone aged 50 to 74. 

As bowel screening applies to all genders, you'll be automatically sent a home screening test even if you've changed your CHI number.

Read more about bowel screening

Breast screening

Routine breast screening is offered to those who:

  • are female or assigned female at birth (AFAB)
  • are aged 50-70
  • have not had a screening test in the last 3 years
Trans women

If you're a trans woman and taking hormones, the development of breast tissue means that you may be at risk of developing breast cancer.

You'll be automatically invited for breast screening every 3 years if:

  • you're between the ages of 50 and 70
  • you've changed your CHI number to reflect your female gender after 14th June 2015

You won't be invited if you haven't changed your CHI number to reflect your female gender, or if you changed your CHI number before 14th June 2015. However, you can still have breast screening by arranging an appointment with your local breast screening centre.

AMAB non-binary people

If you're an AMAB non-binary person who has never taken hormones, you will not be eligible for breast screening as you won’t have developed breast tissue.

If you're an AMAB non-binary person who has taken or is currently taking hormones, the development of breast tissue means that you may be at risk of developing breast cancer.

You'll be automatically invited for breast screening every 3 years if:

  • you're between the ages of 50 and 70 years
  • you've changed your CHI number to reflect a female gender after 14th June 2015.

You won't be invited if you haven't changed your CHI number to reflect a female gender, or if you changed your CHI number before 14th June 2015. However, you can still have breast screening by arranging an appointment with your local breast screening centre.

Trans men and AFAB non-binary people

If you're a trans man or an AFAB non-binary person and haven't had your breasts removed, you may be at risk of developing breast cancer.

You'll be automatically invited for breast screening every 3 years if:

  • you're between the ages of 50 and 70
  • you haven't changed your CHI number to reflect a male gender
  • you've changed your CHI number to reflect a male gender after 14 June 2015

You won't be invited if you've changed your CHI number to reflect a male gender on or before 14 June 2015. However, you can still have breast screening by arranging an appointment with your local breast screening centre.

Breast removal surgery (mastectomy)

If you're a trans man or an AFAB non-binary person and have had a bi-lateral mastectomy (both breasts removed):

  • you're less likely to develop breast cancer as there'll be little breast tissue left
  • you won't be eligible for breast screening

You should remain breast aware and contact your GP if you notice any unusual changes.

Read about breast screening

Cervical screening

Cervical screening is routinely offered to those who:

  • have a cervix (the entrance to the womb)
  • are between 25 and 64 years old
  • haven't had a screening test in the last 5 years
Trans men and AFAB non-binary people

If you're a trans man or an AFAB non-binary person and still have your cervix (entrance to the womb from the vagina), you're at risk of developing cervical cancer and are eligible for cervical screening.

You'll be automatically invited:

  • if you haven't changed your CHI number to reflect a male gender and you still have your original CHI number
  • if you changed your CHI number to reflect a male gender after 14th June 2015

You won't be automatically invited if you changed your CHI number to reflect a male gender on or before 14 June 2015. Contact your GP to make sure you're included in the cervical screening programme.

If you've had a total hysterectomy

If you're a trans man or an AFAB non-binary person and have had a total hysterectomy you:

  • won't have a cervix
  • aren't at risk of cervical cancer
  • don't need to attend for cervical screening

If you've had a subtotal (or partial) hysterectomy to remove the womb, you should still receive invites for cervical screening.

You'll be automatically invited if you haven't changed your CHI number to reflect a male gender on or after 14 June 2015. Speak to your GP practice about opting out of cervical screening.

You won’t be automatically invited if you’ve changed your CHI number to reflect a male gender on or before 14 June 2015. However, you won't need to be screened as you don't have a cervix.

Trans women and AMAB non-binary people

If you're a trans woman or an AMAB nonbinary person you:

  • won't have a cervix
  • aren't at risk of cervical cancer
  • don't need to attend for cervical screening

You'll be automatically invited if you've changed your CHI number to reflect a female gender after 14 June 2015. However, you won't need to be screened as you don't have a cervix. If this applies to you, contact your GP.

You won't be invited if you haven't changed your CHI number to reflect a female gender.

More about cervical screening

Further information

If you're unsure about what you're eligible for, what you will or won't be automatically invited for or have any questions about the screening service phone:

National Gender Identity Clinical Network

You can also visit the NHS Scotland National Gender Identity Clinical Network website for more details about NHS gender services, and help and support for trans and non-binary people in Scotland.

Last updated:
06 September 2023