Seeing a male GP for a breast examination?

[sarahmoth99]

Is this normal practice? I have a lump which I need to get checked out, there are some female GPs in the practice, but apts are either like golddust or the one that is easy to see I don't like!

I am happy to see a male GP, but will it seem odd me rocking up saying can you examine my boobs?

[Rinceoir]

It will be fine, he will ask for a chaperone but will be well used to breast examination.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I always prefer to see a male GP because otherwise it means a long wait otherwise, it seems.

[AYD2MITalkTalk]

Not odd. For me, a doctor is a doctor - they don't have any particular sex when they're working I understand why you'd feel awkward but they've probably seen thousands of breasts and won't think it's weird at all. If you feel uncomfortable about it, of course it makes sense to see a female GP, but the doctor won't be bothered at all.

[PurpleDaisies]

Not at all-male GPs are trained in just the same way as female ones. There are lots of male specialist breast surgeons. It's common for a male doctor to ask for a chaperone (often a nurse or receptionist) to stand on the other side of the curtain.

If you're comfortable just go ahead. Good luck with whatever the issue is.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I've always seen a male GP for breast stuff. They (not me) always ask a chaperone in.

[AdoraBell]

I don't know about norms in the UK because I lived overseas, but I cannot see a problem. The GP is Doctor and you are a Patient, gender only comes into it if you feel it is a problem, in which case you can wait for an appointment with a female GP.

Personally I would take the first appointment regardless of which GP it is.

[sarahmoth99]

Perfect, thanks for the reassurance. I thought it would be fine, but feel a bit more confident now. Good point about a chaperone.

cheers

[DamnCommandments]

I've seen my male GP with a breast lump. He carefully obtained consent and then just examined me - no chaperone, because I didn't require one. It wasn't awkward at all.

[PurpleDaisies]

He carefully obtained consent and then just examined me - no chaperone, because I didn't require one

Usually it isn't anything to do with whether the patient requires one or not-it's to protect themselves against false allegations of inappropriate behaviour with a patient.

[maamalady]

It's totally normal. I was examined by my male GP (receptionist as chaperone), referred to breast clinic where I was examined by a male doctor, and then again by his more senior male colleague. Then ultrasound and biopsy by a female consultant and follow-up with a female nurse. None of them were remotely awkward about it, and neither was I - it's their job :)

[mudandmayhem01]

Plenty of breast surgeons and gynaecologist are male and plenty of proctologists/ urologists are female, expertise and speed of getting an appointment far more important than gender

[harryhausen]

I had a breast reduction 18 months ago and the doctor was male. I had a chaperone throughout but as a surgeon I kept telling myself he'd seen thousands of breasts. I've been squished about so often now I don't care

[Tanfastic]

I went to two different gp's last year for a routine breast exam and it was fine. They both asked if I'd like a chaperone but I declined- this was in the uk, so maybe it's still up to the patient rather than the GP wanting to protect themselves against false allegations.

I've no women Gp's at my practice so no choice really but they were absolutely great and very thorough. The second one even more so, he even drew me a diagram of the inside of a breast. Sounds patronising but I was fretting a bit about what was normal and not normal.

[DamnCommandments]

Purple, sorry, I meant that he asked if I would like one. I suppose since he has been my GP for a while he was prepared to take the risk for himself. Which I appreciated, as I was glad to be seen