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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that having a mammogram carried out by a man is preferable to a long wait for an appointment.

897 replies

JudithOnHolidayAgain · 29/04/2025 08:29

I know many people who wouldn't be here now without early detection of breast cancer due to the screening programme.
I have had a few myself.
It's not something I look forward to but it's a few minutes of discomfort that could save my life so I put up with it.
Given the choice I would prefer a woman carry it out as it is quite intrusive but as there is a shortage of female staff I would be ok with a male member of staff as long as there was a chaperone and Iwas told in advance.
If they do change the rules I think there should be a choice.

OP posts:
Evaka · 29/04/2025 08:30

Wouldn't cross my mind not to. I've had breast exams and treatment by a number of male docs. Personal preference though.

iwentjasonwaterfalls · 29/04/2025 08:32

I think choice is key.

Acknowledging and respecting people's right to choose to have a woman carry out their examination, but still offering appointments with men for those who aren't fussed / don't want to wait.

I personally wouldn't have an issue with any examination being carried out by a man, but I know lots of people would so them being able to decline is important.

Happyspendingthedayinthegarden · 29/04/2025 08:32

JudithOnHolidayAgain · 29/04/2025 08:29

I know many people who wouldn't be here now without early detection of breast cancer due to the screening programme.
I have had a few myself.
It's not something I look forward to but it's a few minutes of discomfort that could save my life so I put up with it.
Given the choice I would prefer a woman carry it out as it is quite intrusive but as there is a shortage of female staff I would be ok with a male member of staff as long as there was a chaperone and Iwas told in advance.
If they do change the rules I think there should be a choice.

I agree. Men have given women gynae examinations for years, we have male midwives etc. I'd rather be seen by a man than die of breast cancer.

Picklechicken · 29/04/2025 08:33

There should be a choice, yes but I was actually really shocked to read that men aren’t already allowed to do this! We have male midwives, male healthcare assistant who help with intimate needs, my breast ultrasound was done by a male….! I’m shocked that we haven’t had men already doing this for ages, surely waiting times would be less if they had been able to do this.

I respect that many women do not want to have a man doing certain things but as someone who has really complex health needs and multiple hospital stays I’ve always had male staff help with things (including helping me to use the toilet in the middle of the night when I could barely walk- if I’d refused a man I would have had to wait and potentially wet myself).

DisapprovingSpaniel · 29/04/2025 08:34

It wouldn't bother me either but I really feel it's a sticking plaster for the main problem - the retention of NHS staff. Workplaces are often poorly managed and toxic and roles are often over stressed without adequate time for the caregiving that often is the reason people want to do these roles.

'Get the men to do it' is just more short term thinking while the bigger rot spreads.

testyarm · 29/04/2025 08:35

I would hate to have a mammogram with a man and would probably not go. I can’t believe that the professional body is suggesting this.

Original poster
JudithOnHolidayAgain · 29/04/2025 08:35

I have had plenty of male doctors carry out gynae and breast examinations, never been an issue gor me.

OP posts:
TheNightingalesStarling · 29/04/2025 08:36

As long as the option for requesting a female radiographer exists (and it means a woman) then increasing the number of radiographers trained and available seems a good idea.

MissyB1 · 29/04/2025 08:37

I think it's preferable to have a woman but there is a shortage of mammographers, is there the luxury of choice at the moment? I have to have yearly mammograms due to my previous breast cancer, I hate them, it's uncomfortable and undignified. Bottom line is I have to have them, so much as I'd prefer a woman it might be a case of beggars can't be choosers sadly. We need to look at why the shortage and are the NHS actively recruiting enough?

Zoopet · 29/04/2025 08:38

All of my radiotherapy for breast cancer was carried out by male staff.
I was a bit taken aback initially but they were absolutely professional and caring and I am very grateful that they were there.
I would have no problem with mammograms being carried out by male staff.

Fr33asaB1rd · 29/04/2025 08:39

testyarm · 29/04/2025 08:35

I would hate to have a mammogram with a man and would probably not go. I can’t believe that the professional body is suggesting this.

Because breast cancer kills and many women who could have been saved by earlier detection would take a man doing it over dying in a heart beat.

Itsallsostressful · 29/04/2025 08:41

I would definitely prefer a male carrying out my mammogram than a long wait. I had a male carry out my heart echo and he was incredibly respectful of my dignity and making sure I was comfortable.

Enigma53 · 29/04/2025 08:41

I’ve had primary BC and now SBC. If I had to have a mammogram conducted by a man, I would have no issue at all, none. I would rather increase my life expectancy than potentially die earlier!

mumda · 29/04/2025 08:42

Are you all being kind?

I want a woman radiographer.

I don't want to be made to feel I have to acquiese because someone else is happy.

Enigma53 · 29/04/2025 08:42

testyarm · 29/04/2025 08:35

I would hate to have a mammogram with a man and would probably not go. I can’t believe that the professional body is suggesting this.

You are joking I hope??
BC kills!

testyarm · 29/04/2025 08:42

The solution is to recruit or train more women surely! I don’t take this lightly. I’ve been having annual mammograms for years because of my family history. But I do not want a man literally manhandling my boobs.

Berryslacks · 29/04/2025 08:42

I am glad you started this thread @JudithOnHolidayAgain. I have been thinking about this. I am very conflicted about men conducting mammograms. I like previous posters have had a male gynaecologist and other male HCP’s. When I read about this I wanted to think I would be OK with it. I am not sure. I am quite old and have huge boobs and the amount of man handling (ha ha!) to get them onto the plates is considerable. I just don’t know if I would feel comfortable with a man doing it. I guess if a choice is available that’s a good solution but knowing the NHS is that actually achievable?

Picklechicken · 29/04/2025 08:44

mumda · 29/04/2025 08:42

Are you all being kind?

I want a woman radiographer.

I don't want to be made to feel I have to acquiese because someone else is happy.

Almost every single post has said there should be a choice, that IS being kind.

PopThatBench · 29/04/2025 08:44

It was a male GP who caught my Mum’s breast cancer early, he got her in to the hospital that afternoon.
She also had a male surgeon who removed the cancer and then another male surgeon a year later who did her reconstruction surgery.
I don’t think she’d have thought twice about having a male carry out her mammogram.

Fr33asaB1rd · 29/04/2025 08:45

testyarm · 29/04/2025 08:42

The solution is to recruit or train more women surely! I don’t take this lightly. I’ve been having annual mammograms for years because of my family history. But I do not want a man literally manhandling my boobs.

Well duh!

Not enough women are taking it up.

I would prefer a woman but also the choice to not wait and have my life risked if a man is available.

fedupusingOHslaptop · 29/04/2025 08:46

I've had alsorts of exsams by make doctors, 99% no problem, but I've also been taken advantage of at least twice by male doctors coping an unnecessary feel.
There is something about mamagrams, the handling, the possibility of eye contact, that make me prefer a woman for the general check up.
If I were being fast tracked with a lump, I might feel differently.

Flewaway · 29/04/2025 08:49

I had my first mammogram recently and I was quite shocked by it. They really grab and push you into position repeatedly. It was forceful. ( I do have small breasts). If this has been done by a man I would have been upset, rather than being able to laugh about it later. If I had a history of sexual violence I would have found it traumatizing.

Choice is key, including your first mammogram always being done by a woman so you know what you are consenting to in future ones. I had no idea what a mammogram would be like before I had one. I thought they just stood you in front of something, something was flashed at you and that was that.

ErrolTheDragon · 29/04/2025 08:49

I don’t think it’s unreasonable, if women are allowed a true choice. I’m not sure a man working in one of the mobile units would really work either - getting your kit off in a van in a supermarket car park is a more vulnerable position than if it’s within a clinic I think.

Changeissmall · 29/04/2025 08:50

Wouldn’t bother me. That said I had mine done in one of those travelling units recently. Two women in a prefab hut in a supermarket car park and they were so efficient they were MACHINES! I was in and out in about 10 minutes.
I remember thinking how women are just so reliable at running a service but that’s probably very sexist of me. As long as the men are as competent, bring it on.

Fr33asaB1rd · 29/04/2025 08:51

I don’t think women should have the chance of their lives being saved by others refusing to let men carry out mammograms.