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 men currently can carry out smear tests. Surely that's WAAAYYY more intrusive?

I went for a routine screening 12 months ago and was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer - a thirteen centimetre tumour that l didn’t even know was there. It doesn’t cause lumps and there is nothing to see or feel because it’s deep in the tissues, and no symptoms until it’s advanced. What l can’t believe is that there are women here who, given the choice, would opt out rather than be examined by a man.

It should be personal preference.

Same here! I had to have a gynae exam just last week - male doctor. Both DCs were delivered by men - although female midwives were present too.

Women should be able to insist on a female clinician but I think I’d rather simply get seen by a qualified person than wait weeks/months for a female.

I wouldn’t care a jot if it was done by a man or a woman. I’ve had transvaginal scans carried out by a man - makes no odds to me.

I would find it very uncomfortable to have any intimate procedures carried out by a man and it would put me off (due to SA) but i know there are lots of women who wouldn’t care so as long as there was the option to have a woman I think it is sensible to employ men over having staff shortages which lead to delays in being screened. Ultimately if a woman has breast cancer and requires treatment she will need ongoing invasive breast examinations and treatment and it’s likely there will be male doctors/ oncologists etc involved, early screening is likely to reduce the need for or length of treatment so from that point of view it seems like having a man for an initial mammogram and receiving early diagnosis is probably less invasive in the long run that an initial mammogram by a woman but a late diagnosis and the need for a high level of treatment, much of which will be with male doctors.

There has to be a choice as a number of women would be deterred from attending.

They would need clear communication, explaining all options and making it clear you can request a female. Perhaps more importantly, they'd need not to be judgemental if you do ask for a woman. I haven't had a smear in almost 7 years because they can't guarantee a woman. Yet, my GP brings it up every time any of us have an appointment in a breezy "you're being silly" fashion despite being well aware of my medical history.

A man (who was gentle and kind) delivered dc1 with my consent. He was on reading my notes willing to call in the female consultant. I didn't want to wait. I passed out on the operating table having first had flashbacks to a previous trauma* triggered by him accidentally. He did nothing wrong but I still ended up with psychosis and attempted suicide whilst dc1 was in Nicu. The (male) psychiatrist I ended up in front of believed the latter was caused by the former. My mental health is mostly stable these days but I'd struggle with a man doing anything like mammograms/smears etc. Dc2 was delivered by a team of women. No psychosis... no issues whatsoever.

*I do have a formal diagnosis of PTSD and have had 2 years of therapy on the NHS.

98% of sexual offenders are male and that includes perfectly nice-seeming professionals. I am baffled that women don't understand the vastly greater risk men pose to them than other women.

It’s literally never occurred to me that a man doing a mammogram would even be especially unusual. I honestly didn’t know they didn’t do them.

I’ve had smear tests, numerous gynaecology appointments, breast examinations and (very recently) breast surgery performed by men, and none of this bothered me. A mammogram is no different to me.

Radiographers get paid pretty shit which is partly why it’s a female dominated profession. I think any challenge to gender domination in a profession is excellent. Same with nursing.
I strongly support there being the option of a female radiographer but I think most women would be fine with a man doing it.
On the FWR thread on this, it was mad. People were making out that mammograms are the most humiliating degrading things that absolutely never must be performed by any man and some people were saying that they would be fine with a man performing a smear or even assisting with their birth but never a mammogram. When I challenged it someone said that having a mammogram is akin to someone pressing their body against you and squeezing your genitals. Absolute nonsense and just going with the narrative that all men are dangerous perverts just waiting to assault us.

I believe that if men are going to be doing mammograms, breast screening rates will tumble and the recruitment crisis will have resolved itself.

I’m not sure how it’s different to a male gynaecologist or obstetrician? A man delivered my baby….

The issue is that it’s a very intimate exam which involves having your breasts manipulated, pulled and lifted in order to get a diagnostic picture. Very different to having a clinical breast exam. And there would have to be a female member of staff to chaperone in the room-so that would increase staffing costs-so might as well train up that female assistant to be an assistant practitioner to do the mammogram. Most women really do not want to have this done by a man.

Having undergone breast cancer surgery just 5 days ago I can honestly say I don't care who does it, so long as they know what they're doing and crack on with it asap.

But this is absolutely terrifying and if having a male a healthcare worker is a barrier to some women then that has to be addressed. Every woman should have access to the care she needs even if her feelings don't match up with others.

I think it's a sure way to reduce the take up of mammograms.
Many women don't go anyway.

I think there should be a choice.

The point is that male gynaecologists or breast surgeons have a nurse (female) chaperone during examinations.

I assume that won't be the same for a man doing mammograms?

It may be illogical but I'm quite happy to have a male gynaecologist - which I do. And they are wonderful. But they call for a nurse before doing any investigations.

If posters here have never had a mammo they may not appreciate there is a lot of up front and personal, with your breasts being handled and arranged on the machine.

No they won’t. And all women would have a choice to have a female perform them anyway. The majority probably wouldn’t care because most women don’t actually care about being treated by male HCPs. I will tell you what will affect the rates - spreading the idea that mammograms are painful, humiliating and degrading rather than a routine procedure done to protect your health.

I personally wouldn't be bothered. I had a man and woman gynaecologist examine me when I was referred for treatment after giving birth and I had a much more positive experience with the man who was a lot more kind and reassuring.

As long as the choice is given for those who want a woman it's okay

Fine, as long as a chaperone is available. In which case why can’t the chaperone be the operator, and kick out the bloke? Just wondering…. Or bring a friend?

Okay, that’s fair enough.

NO NO NO
Women should be doing this job. Why are you setting up a completely needless either/or situation here? Women NEED a woman to do this job for us. FFS.

Xd posts.

Exactly

I've had numerous gynae appts and treatment by men but they always ask for a nurse to attend when they carry out examinations.

Likewise for breast consultations - always a female nurse in attendance.

Speak for yourself. I don’t mind who does it and nor do many other women.

There’s a heck of a lot of whataboutery going on on this thread too.

I do not know any woman who would accept a smear test being done by a man. Men commit nearly all sexual violence and most violence.

Why is there all this pressure to make women accept men in positions of intimate care? First all the crap of trans rights, which somehow found huge favour and funding (sp correction) despite centuries of disadvantage for gays and women, now this straight after the court judgement in our favour.

No means no.

Totally agree that choice is key. Wouldn’t bother me so that would reduce the waiting list for those wanting female.