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.

Nor do most females based on what's been said on this thread.

How would employing men to do it make the waiting times worse than they currently are? It’s not like anyone is suggesting employing men in preference to women - just that there are a lot of vacancies that currently can’t be filled. Surely better to fill them with men rather than leave them vacant? You’d still be able to wait and see a woman, and wouldn’t be any longer than you’d currently wait (possibly less time to wait, if a lot of women weren’t bothered by seeing men)

Well, after routine mammogram was recalled and had my cancer diagnosis confirmed by (absolutely lovely) male radiographer. Frankly would have had it done at the check out in Sainsbury's if it helped save my life which, hopefully, it did

Bloody hell, all the straw men on this thread must be a bloody fire hazard.

I didn’t say, suggest nor imply that everyone’s procedures should be delayed, so I can’t explain why.
Nor was it an argument. It was a musing of the approach the NHS may take if/when male mammo staff become a thing.
The wording was similar to that on other NHS literature I’ve read concerning other intimate situations. You can request a female, they'll certainly try to satisfy this request, but no guarantees.
Mammos could very well go the same way.

I was sexually assaulted by a male physiotherapist so no, it's not preferable for me.

Have had 2 mammograms and was not aware that it would definitely be a female carrying out the procedure, am grateful it was but would not be a dealbreaker. I was suddenly and randomly diagnosed with ovarian cancer 18 months ago and within 6 weeks had been poked prodded had womb and cervical scans and then surgery all by competent professional male technicians and surgeons. Ideally I would have preferred to have had all female crew but health was far more important than false modesty. I am incredibly fortunate that the cancer had not spread beyond my ovaries and hopefully has all been removed. That may not have been the case if I had insisted on females only

Grow up!

You have no idea why that poster feels that way. Would you say that to a survivor of SA?

Grow up yourself and listen to what many women want, for reasons that it doesn’t take a genius to work out. (Thanks @ThisWOMANWontWheesht )

So lets get this straight. We are going to punish women with waiting longer for a mammogram if they dont want a man doing it in the same way we punish women with waiting longer for a hysteroscopy if they ask for a GA!

@JenniferBooth yes, while berating them for being childish/falsely modest/fanciful etc etc

Choice - and a chaperone.

Sorry, but a nan?!
I know it'll be a typo but I've now got an image of lots of Catherine Tate nans lining up to get trained, saying "worra fuckin liberty" 😂

Ahhh yeah,my bad 🤣 but thanks for the image 🤣🤣🤣🤣

It would add to the risk of breast cancer deaths as it means women just wouldn't go for the check up if it was a male doing it. It's very irresponsible of the professional body to do this. It will result in a huge upsurge in deaths.

If a chaperone is required then it means two members are staff are required for a procedure which only takes one and that the patient is undressed in front of two people rather than one. Neither of those options seems efficient or protective of patient dignity.

Yep. And it's a means two members of staff are tied up. Hence a greater shortage. It sounds self defeating (for want of a better term) to me.

I'm so sorry. And I hope people who think having a male do this is 'no big deal' really read your post and really, truly reflect.

Wtf?? She is not the one dictating it. She even said Given the choice I would not have a male mammographer.
That that was your sole response to her heartbreaking story shows an enormous lack of compassion or empathy.

You lack empathy and understanding, but more than that - thought and imagination. A few women on this thread alone, have outlined clearly why a mammogram is completely different to anything else. Just the example above of the female nurse giving a hug to the poster who broke down in tears. A man couldn't/wouldn't give a hug to a topless woman.

You just have not put much thought into it have you.

Not one single poster who wants a female for themselves thinks you should be prevented from having a man. Not one. Where are you getting that from?

FFS, nowhere did mumda 'iNsIsT' that you're not allowed one!

This just shows how ignorant you are, and why you shouldn't comment. It is a LOT more invasive than those things. A woman (or male in the proposed scenario) is behind you with their arms around your naked chest, manipulating your breasts into place and sometimes you have to lean into the person topless against them. You have no fucking idea what you're talking about, and you're just insulting those of us who are trying to educate you.

A woman (or male in the proposed scenario) is behind you with their arms around your naked chest, manipulating your breasts into place and sometimes you have to lean into the person topless against them. It's basically full body contact. where as a smear is done by a speculum with no need for your genitals to be touched. You really have absolutely no idea whatsoever. And when you do have a mammogram, you will change your mind. It is far more intimate than any of those other scenarios.

You're topless and sometimes have to lean into or against the person doing it, it's basically full body contact. Far more intimate than anything else. Anyone who has had a mammogram knows this. No woman will want to lean into a man's chest while she herself is topless.

Christ, this really should not need to be explained.

A woman (or male in the proposed scenario) is behind you with their arms around your naked chest, manipulating your breasts into place and sometimes you have to lean into the person topless against them. It's basically full body contact. where as a smear is done by an extended speculum with no need for your genitals to be touched.