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

[JudithOnHolidayAgain]

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.

But the mammograms don't require a chaperone at the moment, do they, @Pearl69? I didn't have one when I went for mine last year - so in this specific instance, male techs needing a chaperone would add to the staffing needs of the mammogram clinic, wouldn't they?

This whole thread indicates to me that people have no idea what level of training and knowledge clinicians need to carry out mammograms. It's something any old pervert can do a weekend course on to get access to women's breasts. Meanwhile you can train up a practice nurse quickly and cheaply to do it to save women from it being delivered by a qualified accredited male professional.

You really are unpleasant. Telling someone who has been sexually assaulted by a medical professional that they can 'free up appointments' by opting out of screening is appalling and unnecessary. I don't know why you're like this but have a word with yourself. I hope you don't work anywhere that kindness and empathy are required.

Hear, hear

Recently had a gynae cancer scare and am on a 2ww for biopsy results. My GP, ultrasonographer and gynaecologist were all male. I was asked each time by the medical secretary when booking appointments whether I minded so was given a choice. TBH I'd rather a quicker consultation and hopefully resolution of the problem than wait in the female staff patient queue.

Omg how arrogant are you?
You presume to know how men feel about it?
You honestly think it's like getting an arm x-rayed?
Wow, v ignorant of any phyysical or psychological impact upon a man

I don't go for breast screening, but if I did, I'd definitely want it to be a woman. I couldn't manage with a man doing it.

I wouldn’t go if it was male . Maybe different if it was a lump that I was concerned about about - but then I have a history of of SA with my childhood Gp .

I still always try to see a female Gp given a choice .

100% agree with you and don't understand the drama this appears to be creating. Men can do smear tests, deliver babies, work in gynae. What's the difference? Id rather have a male HEALTHCARE WORKER touch my boobs than my fanny. Wouldn't most people? And I'd also rather a male HEALTHCARE WORKER than having to wait ages for an appointment with a woman. Everyone knows you have a much better chance of curing cancer that's found early

I think it just comes down to the NHS not being clear enough. So many people misunderstand and are under the impression you're entitled to choose the gender of your clinician. You can't. You can decline treatment or care if it's by someone you don't want to help you. But you have zero right to demand something that might not even be able to be offered.

I think it can be quite dangerous honestly, some people would literally rather delay lifesaving treatment or screenings due to it, under the belief they'll demand and be given exactly who they want to treat them just as swiftly as what they were originally offered.

So why do men choose these specific women centred careers. Serious question why??

If it was an urgent situation then yes I would be happy to have a male do the mammogram. Normal situation prefer a female. But have seen male specialists/consultants for breast issues so 🤔

I think having a chaperone is key. Mammograms are quite brutal and very invasive. Ditto smears/ internal scans etc. I would prefer a woman. If it has to be a man then there must be a female chaperone.

It would be interesting to poll the number of people that object to males undertaking their mammograms and whether they are survivors of sexual assault. The ‘can’t understand the drama’ crew may be a lucky group that haven’t suffered abuse, humiliation and degradation from males. In which case I’m happy for you, but please don’t describe my views as drama,

Why do women choose them? Seriously? Why does a woman choose a career where she is constantly putting her hands up women’s vaginas?
It’s so offensive to imply that a man must be wanting to be a nurse/primary school teacher/ gynaecologist/ whatever for nefarious reasons.

I'm not arrogant in the slightest merely pointing out the very obvious that men don't view their 'breasts' in the same way that women do.
Yes it is like getting an arm an xrayed for men, or an uss to check for tumours in other body areas.

I'm not a sa survivor but still object to men performing a highly hands on, close up mammogram.
Mind I'm not a fan of male midwives either.

@HesDeadBenYouCanStopNow I was a victim of SA when I was just 12 and would very much refuse a mammogram carried out by a male.

A former colleague was involved in an incident several years ago whereby a male GP at her practice was secretly filming intimate examinations. The footage included her and obviously she was distraught and was in a very bad place for a long time. I’m very wary of male health care providers in any capacity now.

Now you’ve mentioned it, yes, they are a faff! I too have had MRI scans coming out my ears. I use them as opportunities to plan my day ahead ( well if they weren’t so damm noisy ( another debate eh?)

I think you were referring to me here. I actually have suffered SA (attempted rape aged 15 by a 32 year old man) so I do understand why some people - me included would PREFER a woman. But it's already the case that men work in gynae. Why is this different?

I assume that a female gynaecologist will at least know what it is like to have periods, smear tests and at some stage go through the menopause. She also know first hand how challenging it can be finding a method of contraception that suits her and she may also have been pregnant and given birth. I am guessing that this will hopefully give her insight and empathy and a wish to improve women's health. I had horrific periods and the female I saw at the hospital really got what it was like have blood soaked clothes half an hour after leaving the house. Of course a female gynaecologist could have sailed through her reproductive and post-reproductive life without a twinge or a single symptom and not really get why other women have problems. I just find it easier to understand what might motivate a woman to train in gynaecology than a man.

I don’t care as long as I get the correct diagnosis or all-clear. A drag queen in full makeup and sequins could do the mammogram or ultrasound or both.

It’s a medical career - there aren’t male and female roles - thank goodness equality means we have the best in role rather than by gender.

Do you feel the same about other areas of medicine? Do you think that someone who works in orthopaedics should have experience of having broken a bone? Or that someone in oncology should have had cancer or had a family member or friend who had had it? Or that a midwife should have given birth?

People go into different areas because they are interested in them and want to help people. Not because they can only empathise if they have personal experience of something. If you think a man would only choose gynaecology because he likes touching women’s vaginas then that should surely apply to anyone of either sex wanting to be a colorectal specialist- they obviously only do it because they like examining people’s butts.

Probably for the same reasons that women do.