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?

So the NHS would need to employ more people to act as chaperones if this was allowed to happen? Does the NHS have the money for that?

I had a mammogram this morning. They took 4 images of each breast (lumps in both), and for every single one she had to position and reposition my breast and manhandle me into the right posture. The whole thing took about 40 minutes. It was much longer and more involved than a smear or pelvic exam. No WAY would I be happy with a man doing that but if I arrived and it was a case of letting a man do it or having to wait for another appointment, I would of course agree to have it done as the waiting was bloody awful. But I'd be really unhappy about it.

Edited to add - the lumps turned out to be cysts.

It doesn’t bother me the same as a man removing part of my cervix didn’t and a man delivering my baby didn’t!

I know it will bother some though and less women with then have scans!

No.fucking.way

You’re telling women this “isn’t the point to argue”.

So I think you absolutely are doing that.

Think what you like! It’s a casual phrase.

No way would I want this done by a man.

In all my time reading this forum I've never once seen a transvaginal ultrasound referred to as a "dildocam'. And I find the use of a phrase that sounds pornographic to describe an intimate medical procedure which is often conducted for upsetting reasons very strange.

Absolutely not. I can handle, if necessary, having a male health care professional if I'm actually in need of them right then and that's who's available, but I'm not going to a screening test if it might be a man doing it. (I did, in fact, write to the mammography clinic before accepting my first invitation there to check that it would be women doing it.)

I think that’s what’s she’s saying when she says “this isn’t the point to argue”. Put up and shut up.

Why would a man want a job that involves intimately handling a woman’s breast for around about half an hour at a time?

And here's the thing: if they were there when you turned up, and you had a lump, would you have a choice, really?

Thanks for belittling my concerns. Try that logic on the victims of Catholic priests. Perhaps you don't understand how motivated bad men can be. Sadly, I've the lived experience to know first hand and I would rather put safeguarding and patient dignity first.

Hell no. I would never willingly allow any male HCP to touch me. I do not trust them. No to male doctors/midwives/gynacologists/screeners or scanners. Just no.

Absolute no. If they try it I’ll say I’m Muslim.

I had one at the beginning of the year after finding a lump. GP thought it was a cyst but referred me for a mammogram anyway as it was due this year anyway. This lump was right at the top of one breast and it was incredibly painful when my rather large G cup boobs were squished into the plates... I was in there for a good 30 minutes while the radiographer took lots of images and she really helped put me at ease. I can't imagine having to endure that worry and then be dealing with a man grabbing my boobs. It's a very intimate procedure.

I definitely wouldn't like it and would probably refuse. It's not just the clamping bit, it's the standing really, really close while you're topless trying to get you in the right position.

Also, I don't see how this would help staff shortages as any male performing a mammogram would need a female chaperone in the room as well.

I think having men do this job could have serious impacts actually.

Less take up of screening in general

More staffing because of the need for chaperones

Potential delays because a clinic could have two staff. One male and one female but the female will have a higher take up and therefore there could be delays in being scanned.

I don't think it's appropriate.

Honestly, I probably wouldn't have thought as much about it until I had mine recently. I felt really vulnerable. They were really kind and professional staff but I still found it quite hard for various reasons.

Wouldn’t bother me.

But then that's two members of staff when most places cant even afford to employ one.

Interestingly, and having spent the past 18 months dealing with breast cancer, the very major London hospital I am being treated at is very much moving towards an all female team in the breast wing. There's all of one male nurse (who is gay), and the rest of the nurses are all female, ditto all the oncoplastic breast surgeons/consultants and registrars. All the radiographers are female, and when I've had to go to the main hospital building for MRIs and radiation, I've always been seen by an all female team, and this is without even asking.

Prior to this, and over the past 35 years, I have seen many consultants and radiographers, both male and female for issues with my breasts. Radiographers (who perform the mammograms and ultrasounds) have always been female. Consultants have been an even mix. Previously, I never had an issue with male consultants until recently when one asked me far too many intrusive questions including my bra size. I did of course raise a complaint. Obviously, this isn't what the OP is asking, but from my point of view, this was what made me realise just how much I prefer dealing with women when having consultations about my breasts. (As it is, I have always seen a female gynae and women's health specialist mostly because I do not think men understand women's bodies).

So, to answer the OP, no, absolutely not, no women undergoing breast screening should be asked to see a male radiographer. It should absolutely be the patients choice. It seems crazy that so many breast clinics do their upmost to put female patients dignity and privacy front and centre, and it seems a huge step back to allow more male practitioners in. I suppose the compromise is to allow a female chaperone. Even so, for many women, it involves having their breasts manipulated into the correct place on the plates, and some women might not be comfortable with a man doing that, even with a chaperone in the room.

Also, I don't see how this would help staff shortages as any male performing a mammogram would need a female chaperone in the room as well.

@JasmineAllen It's a shortage in radiographers not a general staff shortage. At my GP practice, the receptionists can act as chaperones. They need more qualified radiographers.

I haven't had a routine mammogram yet as I've only just turned 50 but I wouldn't go if it was going to be a man doing it, the same as if a man was doing my smear. However, if I actually had a lump I'm pretty sure I would feel differently and wouldn't really care.

Not a chance. I've got the titty squisher soon and I don't want a man stuffing me into the thing ta.

Absolutely not. I opt for female medical staff whenever possible and will happily kick up an almighty fuss when required.

I'd rather not attend a mammogram than have one done by a man.

Nope I wouldn't attend if there was a chance a man would do it.

I also ask for a woman for intimate examinations