UK Cancer and Transition Service (UCATS)
1 in 2 of us will get cancer at some point in our lifetime.
For trans, non-binary and gender diverse people, a cancer diagnosis may be made more difficult because of:
- Dysphoria related to investigations or treatments
- Effects of gender-affirming hormone treatments on cancer growth
- Effects of cancer treatments on gender-affirming hormones and surgeries
- Extra burden on mental health
Who we are
The UCATS team is made up of oncology and gender specialists. Our team is majority queer and has trans and gender diverse individuals.
We want to put people at the centre of their cancer journey and help them to work with teams providing their gender and cancer care to make the best choices for them.
UCATS is delivered by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support.
What we offer
- Integration of gender care and cancer care
- Review of available evidence related to treatment decisions
- The option to include some or all of the professionals involved in your care as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion
- Letter of recommendations related to your overall care
- Signposting to other important services such as therapy, psychosexual counselling and fertility preservation
- The opportunity to participate in research to help improve cancer care for the gender diverse community
Who is eligible to access UCATS?
UCATS is available for people who identify as trans, non-binary, gender diverse, or are exploring their gender identity.
You must have a current or past diagnosis of cancer, a history of cancer, or another hormone-sensitive benign tumour, such as meningioma.
How can I be referred?
Self-referral
You can self-refer using our referral form.
We will ask permission to contact your care teams for further information, but you can choose who we have contact with. If you have trouble with our form, you can email us for support.
Healthcare professional referral
Healthcare professionals can also refer you using the referral form.
Healthcare professionals must ask your permission to share your information.
What happens after a referral?
We will look at your referral form and may contact you and the care teams looking after you, if we have permission to do so, for further information. We will then contact you to book an appointment.
Our clinics run once a week on Mondays. Waiting times vary depending on urgency but are usually within a few weeks.
Appointments are usually over video on Microsoft Teams, but we can also offer in-person or telephone appointments.
If we do not think you need an appointment, we will write to explain this and provide information on other services you might find helpful.
What UCATS does
UCATS does not directly provide gender-affirming care. Our role is to make recommendations to the other clinicians involved in your care.
What happens at the appointment?
With your permission, we will invite your care teams to join the appointment. You have the option to have them present for all, some, or none of your appointment.
We may arrange for clinicians with special expertise related to your care to meet with us and to come to your appointment. We will ask your permission before doing this.
Appointments last up to one hour. We will ask you about:
- Yourself, your life and interests — we always like to get to know our patients
- Your cancer history
- Your gender-affirming care or journey
- Your other medical history
- Your priorities for your care
We will aim to come to an agreement with you about the best way forward for your care and provide you with recommendations.
We may signpost or refer you to other services that may be helpful for you, depending on your needs and preferences.
What if it’s urgent?
Our email is monitored regularly and we offer cancer nurse support in standard working hours.
Our clinics are only held on Monday afternoons and are usually booked in advance, but we can provide more urgent advice to clinical teams when needed.
Please do not delay any urgent treatment while waiting for a response or until after your appointment.
Where can I access more support?
OUTpatients is a charity supporting those in LGBTQIA+ communities affected by cancer. They provide peer support and education.
Contact us
Email: chelwest.ucats@nhs.net