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?

No. Don't tell women we should trust men, we'll make our own mind up.

I don’t trust male strangers though, and I don’t care what degree or job or title they have.

I also think for a lot of women it’s not necessarily about ‘trust’, but a case of dignity, comfort and privacy.

You can request a mammogram every three years after 70.

Asking for one prolonged my aunt's life as despite not finding a lump she just had a bad feeling. She requested one at 73, they found a tiny speck that was investigated. They caught her cancer early, treated her and we had her until a stroke took her at 87.

I'm genuinely curious as why you wouldn't, any more than I trust a woman, or a man for that matter?

@YourAzureEagle
"likewise as patients we should trust medical professionals, radiographers included, whether male or female regardless of which bit they are inspecting."

Yes, but as shown on this thread - some of us did trust, and we got SA'd. Just on this thread we have three or four experiences. It's relentless.

Genuinely curious as to why? why would a man be generally any less trustworthy than a woman in any scenario?

Are you being deliberately obtuse? Why do you think women might be wary of men?

Because 99% of men can kill a women with their bare hands. They can hold a women down and rape her. The same is not true the other way.

women have an inbuilt self protection mechanism which means that we are cautious about being in vulnerable situations with men. Now, in a medial setting, some of us would be comfortable that we trust a male doctor wouldn’t hurt us, but other women have a greater fear and discomfort. We are all different but it is something that men cannot understand.

Not obtuse at all, are you suggesting that every man is a sex offender - that is a wildly disproportionate view. Whilst it is true that across nearly all type of criminality men are more represented than women, you surely realise that the vast, vast majority of men are decent, upstanding members of society?

Do the bad ones wear a badge?

I’ve had mammograms. I wouldn’t mind a male radiographer doing it; I’m happy to be scanned by anyone who is competent. I appreciate that others will feel differently, though.

But, far, far less than 1% of men would even give that thought headspace, let alone act on it - its a very, very sad view you have of the male population of the world.

No, but we do have DBS and safeguarding protocols for that.

welcome to the world of being a women .

No. I would refuse.

with respect, you’re a man speaking from male privilege.

being seen by a same sex dr is not about embarrassment or unpleasantness, it’s about women being put in vulnerable positions where men can potentially assault them.

women always come from a place of “am I safe”, will this expose me to risk. Men just don’t have that consideration.

I'm not sure what male privilege is?

Oh phew. Well that’s ok then. That’s never failed before

i can only reiterate, women are vulnerable and they have the absolute right (and V.v.) to decide who touches them intimately. They don’t have to give a reason.

Wouldn't mind a male or female. After smear tests and birth with both genders I just get on with it. I actually think its slightly less weird for me when its a man because it feels weirder having a woman seeing me like that. My friends husband is a radiographer and is a very kind and gentle sort of soul, I think it would be a positive experience having him as a mammographer (if he was a stranger to me).

No, I feel just the same. They have to grope you essentially, in a not very pleasant way. I imagine some women would find it triggering if they have been assaulted or in an abusive relationship. And some women have religious beliefs that would make it impossible.

And what sort of men would this appeal to?

All the same reasons many of us don't want men in our loos , changing rooms, hospital wards etc in other words.

Maybe you should check before telling women what they should do or think?

Is the thread being derailed here?
If the bluebird would kindly give us his experience and opinion on having a mammogram, thanks?

You are a man and your opinion on what women should feel about having a breast screening is utterly irrelevant. Please go away.

If they employ men mammographers they’d have to employ a woman chaperone to be in the room all the time with him. Similar to the way a male GP calls a woman in if he’s doing an intimate examination. So it would work out very expensive.

Men don't have the same mind of cultural history of being sexually assaulted by women. In fact, men are more likely to be sexually assaulted by another man.

Even so, men should also have the option of intimate care and procedures being performed by another man.