Allow Male Workers to perform mammograms and breast screening

[CrakdEgg]

OK, so the Society & College of Radiographers have their annual delegates conference, where members bring forward motions for the union to lobby on.
In the past they have passed motions to 'remove gendered language' from health communications for inclusivity - you know, 'pregnant people' and the like. They then lobby behind the scenes to the Government to follow these requests.

This year we have this motion -

Allow Male Workers to Perform Mammograms

Workforce shortages: there are 15 posts for mammographers on NHS jobs. In the UK.

But are we bothered? Do we not want males in this space, or does it not matter because we have male gynaecologists? Or will it dissuade women from attending?

I am interested to hear other people's opinions. My instincts say 'no way Jose', but I am interested in keeping males out of female spaces, so I accept my bias.

Thoughts?

The wtf was in response to likening it to someone pressing their body against you and squeezing your genitals and therefore implying that it’s on a different level to a smear or even birth. I don’t think it’s remotely like that and I also just asked my mum who has had several mammograms and she said don’t be so daft. The fact that women allow themselves to be filmed getting them and don’t look humiliated and traumatised also suggests that they aren’t the torture some people like to think they are.

The majority of radiographers are female, so if theres a shortage of women willing to perform mammograms, there could be a problem with numbers trained, retention, or conditions.

It seems simplier to look at these factors than trying to offer two lists and the communication needed, when a man is employed.

I feel like they'd have lots of wasted appointments where women would turn up and then leave again when they realised a male would be carrying out their scan. Also a second female member of staff for chaperoning if requested.

I couldn't care less. I've had a male midwife, a male gynecologist, a male surgeon when I had cancer (intimate surgery). All very professional. As long as they get the job done I don't mind what sex they are.

Why should any woman have to attend a different setting? This might mean a much longer drive, or public transport might not be possible. All to accommodate a man? No, not acceptable.

The mammograms are to check for breast cancer -can’t believe women would go off in a huff because the radiographer was a man.

Yes, the plates are big enough, even for very large breasts. Yes, I found mine uncomfortable but not so much that it's stopped me going for several.

The fact that women allow themselves to be filmed getting them and don’t look humiliated and traumatised also suggests that they aren’t the torture some people like to think they are.

some people find them very difficult others don’t….that’s the whole point of opinions

It was always very physically painful for me. I think so far as yout "torture" comment, I would say if you haven't had one, while you may have opinions on a male technician doing them, you should not be judging on how painful they can be.

I can assure you it is. Don’t go by the videos - I’ve just watched some and that’s what it’s like.

During my first mammogram the plates crushed a large cyst I didn’t know I had. Luckily the radiologist saw me fainting and released the plate in time. The pain was indescribable and I fainted a second time once she’d got me into a sitting position with my top half naked. So yes, it was traumatising.

“In a huff”.

Are you usually such a raging misogynist? So utterly dismissive of women’s safety and boundaries?

And how would it improve women's health if requesting a female radiographer potentially led to a longer wait or travel to a less accessible location? Penalising women for not wanting a man to perform an intimate procedure is not a step forward. They need to make screening more inclusive, not less.

Ultimately, that's my decision to make.

@Finallydoingit24 It is a quite up close and personal experience, the radiographer has to sort of lean into you at times from behind or to the side, when getting you into the optimal position, due to having larger breasts, they have had to actually handle mine to get them positioned correctly. The plates then do the squeezing and it can be uncomfortable for a short time.
The women who have done mine have been very professional and almost apologetic whilst the boob juggling is occurring, but their aim is to get the best images to ensure they don't miss anything.
I rate is as a less uncomfortable experience than having my teeth cleaned.

Some women are exhibitionists. So what? And your mum is one woman and doesn’t get to give away a women’s right to a female HCP because she couldn’t care less.

I personally wouldnt mind a male so I have no skin in this particular game but want others to have the choice as there’s lots of reasons why women wouldn’t want it and they’re valid and not “going in a huff” also I hate the expectation that oh because it could be or you have cancer, you must do this undignified or something that makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. It was one of the worst things about cancer for me the mental aspect of the expectation that you just have to do whatever, whenever be this weirdly perfect health robot because you have cancer.

Frankly I wouldn’t want either and asked for a different appointment when pregnant and offered a vaginal scan by a male radiographer.

If you let male mammographers in then you let transwomen mammographers in.Then you present women with the situation of being in a small room with someone they know very well isn't a woman . The NHS is already horrendously pro 'transwomen are women'. Can you imagine how long it would take you get another appointment if you said you weren't comfortable with the person in front of you.Presumably if they're a transwoman they also wouldn't want a chaperone to be offered to patients because ' OMG I'm totally a woman '

So disrespectful to women who don't want to have a male healthcare professional for intimate examinations or procedures.

I've had mammograms for about 25 years - strong family history of breast cancer. The first few times v awkward, but I've acclimatised. I wouldn't have liked a male radiographer and wouldn't like to be unchaperoned in those circumstances.

I had a scare once and had to have an ultrasound immediately after a mammogram. The HCP who carried out the ultrasound was male. I initially thought 'bit weird, but OK, that's who is here to help me through this scary situation.' There were chaperones present and after my initial 'ok...that's a bloke' I honestly couldn't have given two fucks about his sex, I was grateful for our NHS, trusted his professionalism and was relieved at the outcome.

I prefer to think that male radiographers/ breast care HCPs are there because they have lost a mum or gran to breast cancer, not because they want to touch up my middle aged tits.

Prefer not to have a man, primarily because I think it's unlikely he would appreciate quite how uncomfortable a mammogram is! Probably wouldn't refuse though unless he seemed creepy. Would very definitely refuse if he was wearing a wig, fake boobs and calling himself herself....

Had a male consultant give me a breast examination and did think it was an odd specialism for a man to choose... didn't feel uncomfortable though, just slightly bemused. I wonder how many female doctors opt for testicular or prostrate cancer, and how men feel about it.

No I just don’t see the need for there to be men performing mammograms or smears.

Maybe an unpopular opinion on here but in an ideal world no men in labour and birth spaces either.

I don't know enough to say but if any institutional responses to the ruling are 'include men in everything you might expect to be reserved for women' I don't think that'll be tenable for anyone.

I wouldn’t consider it an intimate examination. People breastfeed in public and go topless on the beach and wear tight clothing with nipple piercings.

Sorry, premature post, I completely understand why women wouldn't want male HCPs , my experience was just that - my experience and it should be absolutely OK for any woman to request female care, especially when they feel scared, vulnerable or any other emotion -at all.