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?

That’s a male health issue though isn’t it?

I think it's strange that the statement the OP linked to was removed not long after this thread started to trend and hasn't been replaced. It's being discussed on Times Radio now and obviously the BBC has had a response from the SOR defending the change so the motion must still be on the agenda. Is this going to be forced through regardless of women's objections?

This thread highlights why it is such an uphill struggle for women to maintain their boundaries when it comes to healthcare and preference around who treats them for intimate procedures.

The man who says “well I’m not bothered if a female doc treats me therefore you should trust male doctors” must be entirely oblivious to the number of male healthcare professionals who have carried out multiple sexual assaults on patients.

There are 100s of cases of male healthcare workers sexually assaulting patients. This is just one of the reasons chaperones are offered to those undergoing intimate procedures.

Not all men are predatory but predatory men don’t stop being predators when they qualify as a nurses, radiographers, surgeons, anaesthetists or gynaecologists.

One predatory male practitioner will often have the opportunity to sexually assault 10s or 100s of women before they are found out either because women aren’t entirely sure what has happened to them or because they are unconscious or because they are vulnerable or unable to voice their concerns.

DBS checks are useless if there has been no previous conviction.

Here are just a few cases but this really is the tip of a very large iceberg. And anyone who thinks being old, ugly or having “saggy tits” will protect them, think again. Predatory men don’t discriminate.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y7r0dpp0ko.am

https://www.bmj.com/content/382/bmj.p1752

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd92gn5k712o.amp

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpvz0ynljn3o.amp

https://www.nursingtimes.net/mental-health/mental-health-nurse-jailed-for-raping-patient-17-12-2024/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14430101/amp/Paedophile-surgeon-raped-300-children-anaesthetic-alleged-victims-France.html

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/news/molesting-doctor-fails-in-high-a39344/

I would feel uncomfortable, for a screening. Not sure i would feel the same for treatment of something. I had to go for an ECG once at the GP surgery and she made me strip from the wait up and it was really uncomfortable and I was very self conscious.

I always request an appointment with a female nurse/GP if I need to go for smear or appointment regarding down there. The only time I have seen a man was when I was in labour and I really could not have given 2 hoots back then.

I'm all for it. As long as they're respectful, professionally and saving lives. I'll take mild embarrassment and awkwardness over missed diagnosis any day. Females need to be there for those who require it.

I think I'd like it all too much. Unlike the poor young man handling my old duds.

Request it. Not require.

You cannot surely be this unaware? Have a quick google about male medical staff being prosecuted/struck off for SA, inappropriate behaviour etc. Then do the same for female medical staff.

In general life 98% of sexual crimes are committed by men with females making up 88% of their victims.

Whilst I have never been sexually assaulted by a male medical professional, I have been made to feel uncomfortable on a number of occasions and at best find them dismissive and disrespectful especially regarding gynaecology procedures.

You don’t actually need to understand anyway, you just need to respect what we are saying.

My disclaimer here is that I’ve never had a mammogram, but I had a breast lump. Seen by male GP, examined in breast clinic by a man and then biopsy taken by a man. All were extremely professional and made me feel as comfortable as possible, and the main thought in my head was “please don’t be cancer”. (It wasn’t thankfully).

I would have no problem with a man doing my mammography.

I agree it’s a no go for me as the amount of manipulation is hard even when it’s a woman.

Thank you for posting this. Hopefully it will open the eyes of the 'oh male practitioners are all fine. No one would go through all that training just to feel a breast/ check out a vagina" They wouldn't go through all that training JUST for that but its a nice bonus for them.

Ffs

SA survivor here. And I've been to the breast clinic on a 2 week pathway appointment. It is difficult and distressing enough to have to have a mammogram with the support of another biological female. If a female clinician wasn't guaranteed, no amount of rationalising or explaining why a male mammographer makes no difference, would make me able to go.

Yes, I research their CVs and patient feedback. Especially for important things like fertility consultants and obstetricians and I definitely never take gender into account. I just want the best standard of care.

It's been fascinating to read the responses here. Some of the posters have been mocking and dismissive of other women's (reasonable) boundaries and also used porn-adjacent or derogatory language for body parts. I wonder what that's about?

I also wonder if these same posters (I won't say women because I'm not convinced they all are) believe there should be no single sex spaces at all. They don't appear to understand why they exist.

Regardless, the lack of empathy is certainly something to behold.

This. Male patient's likelihood of sexual assault by a female practitioner very likely absolutely nil. Sadly female patient's likelihood of being assaulted by a male practitioner very much higher. We don't need a man popping on here and telling us that it's fine.

Some women require women only care.

Your 'correction' is objectionable.

No, I would walk out and make another appointment, insisting on a woman next time.

Not in the NHS you haven’t 😂

If given the choice I would prefer a female, but I feel it’s more important that I am able to have the procedure.
If there are staff shortages and it has to be a man then I would prefer that to the possible consequences of it not being done.

Haven’t read the whole thread but my view is it’s about consent. Once we have clear language, which means we know what a female health professional is, we can be asked whether we are comfortable with this or would prefer a woman. Previously I’ve had letters saying it will be an ‘all female team’ and thought “will it though?”

Well yes, theoretically, but as most males don’t get mammograms I assume they go to the same clinics as women.

But I still am not sure why men can't do mammograms - I do hear and understand why many would choose female, however why can't a male be available for those who are ok with it?
What about some people's rights to just get a mammogram off anyone in a timely manner rather than have to wait longer because males were not allowed to train? I find it a bit worrying from my 12 month due date then waiting for the call that says there's an appointment- yes they always call as there's such a shortage of appointments and often last minute - this wait was 2 months last year. This is also a worry for people.
So why can't everyone's needs be accommodated but with more available to do the mammograms?

As a feminist I feel men should be able to take on these roles - but I'd rather they didnt. I tolerate male gynaecologists but routine mammograms do feel different as you dont have to have them and they are painful. If men had them often you can bet they'd have found a different way by now, shaping the plates or something. I'd actually prefer to have an ultrasound exam - they are not as effective at catching cancer early but I think more women would go for them.

Seems like a good place to encourage people to sign up for the generations study, trying to find the causes of breast cancer. https://breakthroughgenerations.org.uk/

Sorry - my point is that I felt that “require” sounded subjective - who decides this? Which women and which procedures? So it read to me that it was something that could be withheld.

My position is that women-only care should be the default.