Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
MoistVonL · 29/04/2025 08:51

I think a rock solid, non negotiable “I want a female practitioner” option must be available alongside “may be seen my a male practitioner and the wait could be shorter”

My concern is that will be eroded in practice if men are on shift.

I don’t think I’d be ok with a man doing my mammogram. I don’t like being seen by male gynaecologists either.

Indianajet · 29/04/2025 08:51

I think it would put a lot of women off going - so would rather defeat the purpose. I would not be happy myself - yes I have had examinations/babies delivered by men, but would struggle with a mammogram being carried out by a man.

andtheworldrollson · 29/04/2025 08:52

perosnally ( and probably related to gender dysmorphia rather than sexual abuse ) I would walk away

if there are many like me it would be counter productive

Annoyeddd · 29/04/2025 08:52

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.

Really? So if you had a breast lump you would rather wait longer. You do realise that the breast surgeons, oncologists and junior doctors could well be male.
I would be worried if I was a male HCP and there was no chaperone - chaperones are there to protect from the risk of assault and the risk of false allegations.
What is wrong is the reason for needing male mammographers - a shortage of female staff. I would get bored just doing routine screening mammograms on 50-71 year old women every day for years on end as a qualified radiographer.

1apenny2apenny · 29/04/2025 08:52

Not for me but you crack on. Introduce it but give women a choice. Same as I don’t want to be treated by a trans identifying male or share facilities with them. Happy for the ‘be kind’ brigade to do that but I want my single sex space and facilities thanks.

BangersAndGnash · 29/04/2025 08:52

Choice is key but if the male nurse needs a chaperone for a mammogram wouldn’t that ££ be better spent providing more female staff to do the job?

Monstera200 · 29/04/2025 08:53

I wouldn't go. Absolutely no chance I'd have a man carry out a procedure like that. Same applies to smears and internal ultrasounds.

If you don't mind, fair enough. But I'd actually risky own health to avoid it - that's how strongly I - and many, many others - feel.

Chiseltip · 29/04/2025 08:53

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.

Yeah, cancer is much more fun.

Tbrh · 29/04/2025 08:54

I want the best doctor, I don't care if it's a man or woman

SwornToSilence · 29/04/2025 08:54

I wouldn't care, my tits are nothing special and once you have seen a pair you have seen them all however for the older generation (I am 60 btw) I can see it may be an issue.

MemorableTrenchcoat · 29/04/2025 08:55

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 can’t believe the professional body is suggesting something which will reduce the risk of breast cancer deaths?

IKnowASecret · 29/04/2025 08:55

I wouldn't like it at all. It would add distress to something I already find unpleasant although of course I appreciate being in a position to have them. I'm 50 and have been screened since 30 due to family history, it's only ever been women professionals ditto anything gyno including two babies... I wouldn't cancel if course, being treated is paramount but like I say I wouldn't like it.

Luckymum20 · 29/04/2025 08:55

I've had pre cancerous cells on my cervix twice. I've had smear tests done by men. Men where present when I have had my children.

These people are professionals. Many years of study. Dedication to saving lives. To regard these male professionals as potential threats is quite frankly disgusting!

What next. Refusing a person of a specific ethnic background? We need to view these professionals as professionals regardless of gender, colour, sexual orientation.

DisforDarkChocolate · 29/04/2025 08:56

For some of us it would be impossible.

ShinySquirrel · 29/04/2025 08:57

Personally I don't give a crap. I've survived breast cancer; I have to have yearly mammograms and I'd prefer to have timely ones instead of what happens now, which is an inevitable cancellation that pushes my appointment back and means the mammogram is done every 14-15 months instead of every 12.

I can only speak for myself though. It's intrusive and the amount of manhandling makes me uncomfortable no matter who does the mammogram. I understand why some women would want a woman to do that.

heffalumpwoozle · 29/04/2025 08:57

I agree, and I think the people who disagree are actually not thinking very logically.

The ideal is that they would all be carried out by women.

This isn't possible.

So if we insist on women, we have long waiting lists, people not being seen, people dying because of late detection.

The next best thing is to allow men to do them, whilst people who are not comfortable with this have the option to request a woman (as they always have and always will!)

It literally does not negatively affect anyone. You can request a woman if you want one, and people who are OK with a man can go ahead. It's not a big deal.

heffalumpwoozle · 29/04/2025 08:59

Monstera200 · 29/04/2025 08:53

I wouldn't go. Absolutely no chance I'd have a man carry out a procedure like that. Same applies to smears and internal ultrasounds.

If you don't mind, fair enough. But I'd actually risky own health to avoid it - that's how strongly I - and many, many others - feel.

So in your case you would just request a woman.

There's no need to stop people who are comfortable being seen by a man to do so, when you can have your needs met anyway just by requesting it.

notatinydancer · 29/04/2025 08:59

Wouldn’t bother me at all , they are medical professionals.

Zeitumschaltung · 29/04/2025 08:59

There are plenty of other undignified procedures and it doesn't seem feasible to avoid men doing all of them. I had an ultrasound of my heart, for example, and would take a mammogram over that.

AnxiousLurker · 29/04/2025 08:59

I think there should be the choice of a female physician if that’s your preference but personally I have had breast and gynae by male doctors and never cared. I always tell the receptionist that my only preference is qualified!

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 29/04/2025 09:00

Some are so contrary. Will happily have a male doc check breasts and do gynae shit, yet won't want a male doing a mammogram.
Rather like many men thinking that every gay man is going to fancy them, some women think that a fully-trained professional, whose livelihood relies on acting appropriately, is only doing such a job for a fondle.

phoenixrosehere · 29/04/2025 09:00

I’ll take whomever treats me like a person and answers my questions. I’ve had bad experiences with more female doctors than I have men especially during pregnancy.

My first gyno was a man and he was absolutely lovely.

I agree and understand having a nurse along but that doesn’t guarantee safety every time.

heffalumpwoozle · 29/04/2025 09:00

AnxiousLurker · 29/04/2025 08:59

I think there should be the choice of a female physician if that’s your preference but personally I have had breast and gynae by male doctors and never cared. I always tell the receptionist that my only preference is qualified!

There is the choice of a female physician if that's your preference.

There always has been.

This doesn't change that.

Tbrh · 29/04/2025 09:00

Luckymum20 · 29/04/2025 08:55

I've had pre cancerous cells on my cervix twice. I've had smear tests done by men. Men where present when I have had my children.

These people are professionals. Many years of study. Dedication to saving lives. To regard these male professionals as potential threats is quite frankly disgusting!

What next. Refusing a person of a specific ethnic background? We need to view these professionals as professionals regardless of gender, colour, sexual orientation.

Edited

Well said

zaxxon · 29/04/2025 09:01

I'd be fine with male professionals, but agree everyone should have the choice.

Some men may not feel comfortable with female professionals carrying out intimate healthcare, and they should also be able to choose

Swipe left for the next trending thread