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 last but one time I went for a mammogram there were four of us in the room. A trainee, someone teaching/assessing her and then another radiographer at the computer. I was the only one topless and two of them squished and squashed my boobs as the trainee wasn't positioning me adequately and it was painful. I would have been even less comfortable had it been three men.

Why would anyone want to be a doctor indeed?

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest. I wouldn't be any more uncomfortable having a man do it than a woman, and since it's something that's got to be done when I reach screening age, I plan to just get on with it. I've only ever had women do my smears, but I'd have no problem with a man doing it either.

Do you think they have just removed the news but still intend to go ahead with the motion?

Or do you think they've changed their mind about it?

It's a no from me too.

Had a colposcopy and lletz treatment a while back, done by a man. Felt very invasive and wish I had asked for a woman.
Ditto the birth that was overseen by a male gynae.
Just uncomfortable.

I’ve had male drs checking my boobs for lumps and carrying out fine needle aspirations - I didn’t particularly enjoy it, but it was bearable because I had female chaperones each time. A mammogram involves a hell of a lot of pulling and boob holding and manipulating with the radiologist pushing up against you - I would request a female for that procedure, just as I do with other intimate procedures whenever possible.

Perhaps you’ve missed the posts from a number of women, including me, who have had male doctors doing smears, delivering babies, but having had mammograms (which you admit you haven’t) say they would not like a man doing this. 30-40 minutes of having your breasts handled. Very different to a 30 second smear.

I'm old enough but I second this I'm not bothered I'd rather have more women getting screened than being bothered by who does it.

I think the former, if the motion has been passed. They still need to lobby on behalf of their members, but clearly do not appreciate the patients giving their opinions on it here.

Agree with most PPs. A mammogram feels much more intimate than a smear and I’d refuse a male mammographer. Mammographers get VERY close when they’re moving your breasts around.

I have no idea of the process for these things, but any chance the Supreme Court ruling could have given them pause for thought?

I started having screening mammograms about 8 years ago and was a bit apprehensive. It was so reassuring to see the female radiographer once I'd taken my bra off in the mobile unit cubicle - it's a very female environment and it's not like being treated for illness in hospital.

It's differently intimate than any other medical contact I've had. I've had male genito-urinary HCPs and I don't think I'd baulk at male doctors examining my breasts if need be but the screening is definitely different. I'd always prefer a woman doing my smear, too. I would always want the choice in screening situations.

As this is in FWR I assume there's thought that this motion might be in response to the recent ruling? I would feel unhappy at the thought of a man doing a breast screen, given what it consists of, but if at any point a transwoman attempted to do this, having been presented to me as a woman, I'd be genuinely freaked out (no, they don't pass, sorry Margie but you don't).

No, I agree. Gynae stuff is generally more straight forward. The mammogram I had ended up needing lots of shuffling about, extra checks and then having to toddle back in the room do it all over again, then going to another hospital for a more detailed scan to double check some tiny specks of calcium. There was a lot of poking and prodding in all of this which is rather wasn't done by a man.

True, I haven't RTFT, and you're right, I haven't had a mammogram yet. I'm just giving my personal opinion, the same as everyone else. That doesn't mean I'm disregarding other people's thoughts and experiences and I'm not sure how you got that from what I said. It's possible that once I do have a mammogram (I'm only 38 so it'll be several years yet) I'll change my mind following the experience, but knowing me, I won't.

Nope, as the annual delegates conference is taking place now, this week.

This motion has either been passed or is up for debate. So, the Supreme Court ruling is being tested here, is it? - currently, as I understand it, mammographer jobs are exempt from some Act or other, I think it is the Equality Act, as they are allowed to ask for females only.

Change cancer screening procedures so that fewer people attend? Yep, genius move.

Some women may be ok with this but those women can't provide consent for all women to strip and have their breasts handled by a male radiographer.

I've never had a mammogram. I didn't realise they were only carried out by females.
Why is that?
Male staff do smears and transvaginal scans.

Yes, I did wonder if it was in response to the ruling. Would you agree?

Honestly it wouldn’t bother me if it meant waiting times were brought down significantly but I really don’t care who see’s me as long as I’m treated quickly and respectfully.

I know but I would rather either gender as long as they were professional and behaved appropriately. Someone had commented further up saying female clinicians are more caring.

No

I would be totally fine with it and women could have an option to choose a female radiographer which is the same as in most other areas of healthcare. And I can’t get my head around the claim that this is apparently more intimate than having genital exams or even giving birth. I mean I could say that I find having my ears examined more intimate than my vagina but that’s just my subjective opinion.

Just to add, had I known this I probably would have enquired as to why I haven't been called for a mammogram as I'm in my 50s.

When you have one you'll realise why only women do them .

Could / do male patients request that a male do their catheter or intimate care?

@TheSpottedZebra I believe they have every right to request a male nurse to change their catheter, up until now, non of the people who I have seen over the years have, but I would of course absolutely respect their wishes and facilitate that if requested. People of either sex, can refuse to have me carry out any type of care, simply because they don't like the cut of my jib, currently on a score of one in over 25 years and I completely understood the rationale for that one person. I am here to help, if you don't want me personally to help, then I will find someone else who will