Statement from the Society of Radiographers re Mammograms

[Mollyollydolly]

The Society of Radiographers have issued the following statement after the news story this week.
Women are already self excluding because of the coverage, women will probably die.
They have fucked up massively.
I have no words for the damage they've done.
I'd really love to know which individual proposed it in the name of diversity and inclusion.
So angry about it.
And to all the women on here who were posting they didn't care who did it, this is the result. Women self excluding.

"Recent media coverage about the role of men in mammography has caused concern for people and we want to provide reassurance and set the record straight.
The coverage followed a motion passed at the Society of Radiographers’ Annual Delegates Conference (ADC). ADC provides members with the opportunity to help shape the strategic direction of the Society. Each region and country propose motions for debate, which are voted on by delegates at the conference.
The motion in question asked the Society to explore how we could support fair access to mammography as a career, as mammography in breast screening is currently restricted to female staff.
It does not change NHS policy, and it does not mean that only male mammographers will be employed.
We understand that this coverage has led to distress and confusion, with some contacting screening services or cancelling appointments, concerned that they will be having a man perform their mammogram. We are deeply sorry for the concern this has caused and are working to provide clear and accurate information.
No changes have been made to who carries out breast screening by this motion. The breast screening experience remains:

• A specialist called a mammographer will take breast screening mammograms.
• The mammographer will be female.
• They will explain what will happen at each stage, and you can ask any questions you may have.
• Radiographers and mammographers in NHS services continue to ensure that patient care is delivered safely, sensitively, and with respect for personal, cultural, and religious needs.

Breast screening is a vital part of early cancer detection and saves lives every year. We recognise how important it is that women feel safe, respected and informed when accessing these services. Protecting trust in the screening programme is essential, and we are working with our NHS colleagues to support this. The motion passed at ADC will now go to the Society’s UK Council to decide whether any further work should be done. If it is taken forward, this will involve detailed discussions with NHS bodies, patient groups and service providers. While the Society can advocate for change on behalf of members, it does not have the authority to change NHS policy. Our intention is to support a professional, inclusive workforce while always protecting the rights and dignity of patients. Mammography screening services will continue to prioritise compassionate, people-centred care. Further updates will be shared when appropriate." https://www.sor.org/news/mammography/public-statement-mammography

Equity of career access? (From the image). Does this imply it’s not even because they can’t get enough mammographers, but because potential male mammographers are not getting a career choice they might like?

What struck me, when all this hit, was that though in theory, I wouldn’t care about the sex of the person doing it (had a lot of good, male doctors) I am pretty dubious about any man that would choose this as a career. It’s hardly an aspirational thing to do for a man, though I can see why kind-hearted women could be drawn to it.

So the more I hear about this, the more dubious I am about why it’s happening at all.

This, everyone uk should write to them and say they’ve had their response to their motion and should withdraw it, and consider carefully in setting future standards that they not have the effect of negatively impacting breast cancer screening rates and uk women’s health. It is quite clear that motions such as this will have a significant negative impact.

But you might get that better service if no one else wants to see the man.

im any case, I can see why men might want to specialise in breast cancer, it’s so prevalent many men have had family members experience it, also midwives, obstetricians and gynaecologists, anything to do with delivering babies must be very satisfying for many people. But, a job thats just about screening breasts?? I do query why the men who might apply for this are applying.

I don’t want a man touching my breasts. Is that so unreasonable?

Wasn’t this motion triggered by the fact they were already allowing males with a GRC to be recruited as “female” based on the confusion over how the GRA interacts with the EA for the purpose of the single-sex exemptions?

For example, this 2023 article in Radiography, the official peer-reviewed journal of the Society and College of Radiographers, written by professionals with NHS affiliations states:

However, current legislation, specifically Part 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010, allows employers to exclude certain protected characteristics (in this case, gender and gender reassignment) based on occupational requirements, permitting the restriction of mammography roles to females only. Furthermore, the Act sanctions the dismissal of existing employees if they no longer meet these requirements, such as a female transitioning to male. Thus, while transgender men and non-binary individuals are encouraged to participate in screening, they are effectively barred from working in breast screening roles based solely on their gender identification.

My interpretation of this (notably the second and third sentences) is that up until the SC ruling, the NHS and the Soc of Radiographers were classing transwomen with a GRC as legally female and transmen with a GRC as legally male, for the purposes of who could be employed as a mammographer in the NHS.

This would also explain the curious timing of this motion, i.e. while other medical orgs are coming out with statements about trans inclusion in light of the SC ruling, why else would one of the few professions restricted to female practitioners suddenly decide that their priority is letting males perform the role? Because they’re already doing it, but their sex in the eyes of the law has been confirmed by the SC as being based on biology instead of a certificate.

I'll say what I said on the other thread: And suddenly Clare Dimyon's letter makes sense.

Wow, every time I think the bar can’t get lower someone drops it.

Ah. This is pretty insightful! And ugh.

Yes, exactly - otherwise why on earth would you need to write that letter in the first place?

The news article at the time glossed over this by saying

Gay rights campaigner Clare Dimyon, 54, went to the hospital just before Christmas last year for the mammogram, and wrote a letter requesting a natal female.

Which sounds so odd, as why would you attend an appointment and need to write a letter, especially requesting a natal female for a procedure that is only ever carried out by females?

It sounds like they deliberately missed out the key part where she was told a transwoman with a GRC (whom the NHS counted as ‘legally female’) would be doing the mammogram (especially as this was in Brighton).

I don’t mind if a man is mammographer…

I think as long as people can choose… but i suppose it needs to change. Seems sexist

@LonginesPrime ugh that’s absolutely what’s happening isn’t it? Grim in the utmost. And probably to stick it to those nasty bigoted women in revenge. Inclusion for male workers 🤮Won’t anyone think of the poor men?

Sexist? Don’t you think there’s a sex difference in who needs a breast exam? A really clear one that warrants some acknowledgement?

It wouldn’t have hurt them to stick to the truth and use women-centred care, would it?

After all, only women, NOT “people” need mammograms.

It needs to be female only. I don't want any of those men who think they're women joining in either.

I also don't care if you don't mind. The people who do mind should take precedence.

I've had a number of procedures done by men because I've have to suck it up. I would rather have had the choice.

They don’t need to do this if they have trained up enough female mammographers do they? The question should be ‘how do we ensure we have enough female mammographers’ rather than ‘how can we accommodate males who want to become mammographers’
After all, if there currently are no males doing the job, they would need to be trained up anyway. It’s not like there’s 1000’s of males trained and raring to go!

On the question of staff shortages, surely if they trained more male radiographers to do mammograms, they’d create a shortage of radiographers elsewhere in the system.

Sexism is the belief that one sex is less able, less intelligent, less skilful than the opposite sex, usually directed towards women. Not having a screening system where men can be paid to have intimate access to women’s breasts isn’t sexist at all. It’s common sense when the vast majority of women would prefer a female mammographer.

Why don't you mind? In a world where 50% of people are women, why can't mammography be restricted to female?
There is no choice where I am, sometimes there is no service. I've been screened by a woman who travelled 100 miles every day to provide the service.
Cancer cells wouldn't wait around while the boys who want to play at squashing breasts have their turn.
Maybe you don't mind a man hugging you and pushing you while squidging your boob into the machine, while you're half naked, but could you not see it would be simpler for all to be female?
Even leaving the touching aside, when they see a lump, it's a woman's shoulder I want to cry on.

Thank you for picking this up. I meant radiographer and understand the difference. I’d have no problem with a male radiologist scanning me. Their medical specialism covers all types of imaging and a breadth of conditions. A man choosing to specialise in mammography, a woman-centred service, feels different. 😕

I think institutions really underestimate how much women do not complain about men in their spaces.
Women simply don't go or time when they go. No hassle. No arguing. No need for distress. Most importantly no need to face any malesor anyone advocating for them.

All the harping on about how no one complains is pointless if the majority of the demographic is female. They won't complain. Complaints are not a measure for finding out if women are comfortable with something.

They only use the word ‘woman’ once in the article. Elsewhere it’s patients, those and people.

pretty easy to see whose side they are on!

i don’t want a bloke doing my breast screening. Can only imagine what pervy blokes would want to spend their days screening breasts.

Surely there are enough other opportunities for men in radiography?

Remember when women were briefly allowed.to have 'woman centred' services?

That holds true for voting and elections, too, fwiw.

Never understood why so many politicians fail to grasp reticence.

Ah, that makes sense. And of course it would happen in Brighton. Pathetic.

Their statement is pretty crap too - conflating sex and gender, prioritising the feelings of men, not those of women.