When Jennifer Trefzger began her gender transition journey at 19, she had no idea that her decision to seek gender-affirming care would end up saving her life in more ways than one.

During routine bloodwork as part of her hormone replacement therapy in 2017, Trefzger's attentive endocrinologist noticed something concerning: abnormally low iron levels and unusual red blood cell morphology. This careful monitoring, a standard part of comprehensive gender-affirming care, prompted the doctor to order a colonoscopy that revealed a tumor in her descending colon.

The diagnosis was serious—stage 4 colon cancer at just 23 years old, with doctors giving her only a 15% chance of survival. But Trefzger's story is one of remarkable resilience and the life-saving power of compassionate healthcare.

"My gender-affirming care was instrumental in saving my life," Trefzger shares with pride. After undergoing a colectomy, removing part of her colon and 25 lymph nodes, followed by 12 rounds of chemotherapy, she beat the odds and achieved remission.

Her journey took another unexpected turn when scans following facial feminization surgery detected that the cancer had spread to her lungs. Once again, the comprehensive medical monitoring that comes with gender-affirming care caught what might have otherwise gone unnoticed. After additional treatment, Trefzger successfully beat cancer a second time.

Today, at 31 years old, Jennifer Trefzger has been cancer-free for over four years. She's not just surviving—she's thriving, using her experience to inspire and educate others about the importance of accessible, affirming healthcare.

Dr. Anne Marie O'Melia, a pediatrician and psychiatrist, explains the powerful connection between trust and health outcomes: "When patients finally have a clinician who respects their name, pronouns, and body, they are much more likely to disclose all symptoms of concern." This relationship-based care creates consistent touchpoints with the healthcare system that can detect serious conditions early.

Trefzger's story illuminates a beautiful truth: when healthcare providers treat the whole person with dignity and respect, they create an environment where life-saving diagnoses can happen. The routine bloodwork that's part of monitoring hormone therapy became the gateway to discovering and treating a deadly disease.

Now, Trefzger is paying her experience forward, encouraging others to advocate for themselves and seek out comprehensive care. "My story shows that it is possible to survive medical trauma and continue to become your true self," she says. Her advice includes getting second opinions, connecting with support communities, and working with specialists who listen.

Her inspiring journey demonstrates that gender-affirming care is simply good healthcare—attentive, comprehensive, and patient-centered. When medical providers create welcoming environments where all patients feel safe and respected, everyone benefits from better health outcomes.

Jennifer Trefzger's triumph over cancer and her continued advocacy remind us that inclusive healthcare isn't just about affirming identity—it's about saving lives, one compassionate appointment at a time.