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.

I think it's quite clear from this thread just how little understanding there is of the deep and paralysing fear that comes from being so vulnerable, for women who have had things like abuse and SA happen to them, if you are lucky enough to have never experienced it. It's simply not a question of "oh come on it could save your life, who cares if it's a man doing it if it could save your life".

"Oh alright, seeing as it could save my life". It just doesn't work like that.

For many, it's the idea of anyone carrying it out which is so paralysing, let alone a man.

I think the difference here is that it is a proposed change to a field that has been exclusively female up to this point. Gynaecology used to be male dominated and women have made their way into it over time. It’s not so different in terms of women’s feeling though. There are similar threads on here re male midwives and lots of women DO struggle with male obstetricians and gynaecologists. The difference is that the degree of urgency means they often dont have a choice when they would want one. As a SA survivor, I was horrified when men came in during my delivery. It was absolutely awful and the thought of it still impacts me to this day.

Would bother me at all.

God forbid you ever need a reconstruction. I had photos taken of my breasts (by a woman) to be viewed and discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting which presumably will include male and female medics.

Is the workforce shortage radiographers or mammographers?

Are there lots of bored chaperones standing around in the NHS, or would more need to be employed to ensure that a male could be employed as a mammographer?

A man choosing a career in a medical specialism where he knows that many women would prefer a female professional may not be a pervert, but it’s bloody thoughtless and selfish.

A woman could be attracted to such a post to support other women.

I was more horrified by my sadistic female midwife. The man coming in to ask me to sign consent for a C-section was most welcome, as was the male anaesthetist.

As a SA survivor, I was horrified when men came in during my delivery. It was absolutely awful and the thought of it still impacts me to this day.

Same! In an ideal world i think men should just be kept out of intimate care for women- mammograms, smears, labour and birth spaces.

I draw the line at mammograms though - as I would s male midwife trying to to show me how to breastfeed.

I’ve had a breast ultrasound done by a man- fine. Loads of gynaecology and obstetrics done by men. Fine.

But there is something very intimate about the way breasts are handled in mammograms and again in breastfeeding support - women only for me.

If your preference is for a woman you can still ask for one.

The NHS is working in the constraints of the political landscape of the country and the world, and if you haven't noticed, it's on its knees. It does not have a magic wand to recruit more females to train as radiographers. If that is what you want to happen then you need to write to your MP and become more engaged in the issue - but either way, even if you find a solution and get people to listen, it will take a long time to resolve.

In the meantime, it's completely unreasonable to say that men shouldn't do these appointments for the benefit of patients, especially when it is still perfectly acceptable for you, or any patient, to request a woman.

I don’t understand the point you’re making. I’m more than aware that there are some awful female midwives. Sadly, I was treated extremely badly by some female medical providers during my birth too which only added to my trauma. HCPs of both sexes should treat patients with dignity and kindness. That’s kind of a separate issue from survivors of sexual assault having a preference for women because of how distressing it is to be treated by men.

What!? They are qualified, what more do you need? I've had vaginal examinations carried out by male doctors, because they were in fact....doctors.

I think what’s clear is that there are people who have never been told they have an invasive cancer that will need surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and years of hormones. At that point I think most people would cease to care about the gender of the people providing treatment.

I had to have a breast examination done by a male consultant before I started on a trial drug about 20 years ago. It was uncomfortable emotionally for me but I just tried to get past that. He was professional, avoided eye contact etc. About 5 years ago I had a persistent almost neurological itch in my left nipple. I had to get that checked out and it was a female who carried out the exam. I am not lying, she was absolutely horrible to me. She scornfully said “you do realise you have one breast larger than the other? Like an accusation with a look of contempt on her face, I’ll never forget it, I honestly still think about it and can’t figure it out. I apologetically said yes even though I didn’t realise that, I had no idea what to say, it was like an accusation and I’m not projecting because I was shocked and still haven’t to this day figured out what to make of it. I got dressed and scurried off feeling very scolded and shamed. Not sure what my point is, maybe just getting what off my chest excuse the pun. I think yes, choice but not choice where you have to refuse a male examiner when they’re in the room already. That’s unfair.

What the actual fuck....

Those thoughtless selfish doctors, surgeons and male midwives....how dare they...

That's absolutely fine, and makes sense, but you must recognise that is your completely arbitrary opinion.

You can be seen by a woman, all you have to do is request it. No one will make you see a man.

There are plenty of women who would be happy to be seen by a man (myself included).

Everyone is happy and patients are seen more quickly.

It makes no sense whatsoever to put a blanket ban on men doing these appointments when plenty of people are happy to be seen by a man.

So what? That’s you! You’re not everyone else and not everyone else feels like you do. Please don’t shame people for not feeling the way you do, your feelings and what you are ok with don’t make you superior!

Do you think this comment is helpful?

And there's very much a culture of "patients should shut up and be grateful because it's FREE, no matter what they have going on in their own lives" within the NHS.

(no it's not free. I pay a fuck of a lot of tax)

It’s the reality. I don’t like it but that’s the way it’s done.

I would not have minded in the past but I have had awful experiences with men and intimate procedures and I no longer want a man anywhere near my genital or breast area in any capacity other than my choice to engage in sexual contact. I also am distressed from an experience of grooming in health care when a young teen. It’s not just the dignity it’s the knowledge of anatomy and what it feels like.

Yeah the notion that all female healthcare workers are benevolent angels is bollocks. I have heard absolute horror stories about female doctors, nurses and midwives, especially midwives actually. One of my friends ended up with a colostomy bag post birth and the midwife had told her to get a grip. It was a male consultant who realised something was very very wrong and listened to her. They don’t all go into this job because they are sweet souls who understand what women go through and want to make it comfortable for them. Some of them are very dismissive.

I’ll start by saying I have no horse in this race but having read the thread I feel like one point has been for the most part lost.

If this was an option that women could opt in if they didn’t have a preference then wouldn’t the wait times be shorter for the woman only option?

100% this! And to say get a grip, that’s horrific. That’s just horrific.

Yes the 'trans identifying male' is most certainly out to get you....🙄