Mammograms and male radiographers

I am having my mammogram tomorrow don’t care if it’s a man or woman as long as they do their job correctly.
I spent my first pregnancy mostly in antenatal care because of certain complications. I can honestly say the male nurses who looked after me in every respect were totally professional and caring.

I wouldn’t have a problem. I had an ultrasound scan a couple of weeks ago for an inguinal (groin) hernia, two male medics and was asked if I wanted a female in attendance. ‘No thank you’ I replied

Why is there a shortage of women training to be radiographers/ "mammogramists"? Surely we should be encouraging more to train. It appears to be a job that would fit in well with child care requirements. A side step for nurses to retrain if shift work doesn 't fit in with family responsibilities.
Personally if I still had mammograms I would prefer a female and I think it will put off a lot of women. Are cervical smears taken by male nurses now? I am sure that would also put a lot of women off as well.

I would prefer a robot!!!!

I don't know what I feel about this to be honest. Like others, many women won't proceed, usually when I have gone to the 'van' there are two staff members anyway. I would expect male radiographers to conduct themselves with the same professional standards as female radiographers would.

Because of the manipulation involved, I wouldn't fancy having a male radiographer do my mammogram. Too much opportunity for them to "enjoy" it!!

I have had vaginal ultrasounds done by women but once by a man.
He was more careful and respectful than the women ever were.

I think it very much depends on the man to be honest.
My daughter has had very unpleasant biopsies with both men and women.
😕

PS having small boobs it is a painful procdure especially when the metal plate digs in hard into the rib cage. In 50 years time people will be amazed that the procedure squashed our boobs between metal plates.

Lollin

I would be horrified. Having just had a mammogram it brought it all back how much handling and manipulation is involved and how close up, ie no space can be seen as personal to carry out the procedure. Differing sizes may make a difference for some, but for me it always involves an awful lot of handling throughout the procedure.

Yes my thoughts, it's an uncomfortable, but necessary procedure, I do feel this could put a lot of women off.

Whilst the salient point has been made, it would be forbidden for certain religious demographics to be handled by a male in such a procedure, which I understand, but I don't see why the rest of us should be precluded when taking such sensitivities into account, some of us will feel the same.

I think the important point is that women should have the choice. While some on here have said that they wouldn't particularly mind if the radiographer was male, others would clearly be uncomfortable with that, and that's perfectly understandable. For some women, especially those of certain religions or even SA survivors, the thought of having a male radiographer performing such an intimate procedure, no matter how nice and professional they are, would be enough to stop them going in the first place. We should be doing all we can to encourage woman to go to these vital health screenings, not putting them off.

I have had breast cancer twice so have had a lot of handling for mammograms plus also moving my breasts into position for radiotherapy. I wouldn't want any of it done by a man. I think the uptake numbers for mammograms will drop.

Many women especially Muslim women would not attend breast screening if they knew the radiographer was male! I too have had intimate examinations done by a make consultant - no problem. However for some reason breast screening is different!? As others have ' said' there is a lot of handling involved to get the breast in the correct position - If that was done by a male I would feel very uncomfortable - in more ways than one !

I suppose a male might ask if you want a chaperone but that would negate the staffing issue.
The chaperone needn't be a radiographer, tho, she could be anyone.
Perhaps having a female chaperone there could be an answer to women's reluctance to have a male radiographer.

I would prefer a few very embarrassing minutes than for a breast cancer to go undetected. If most women don't want a male to do the screening then the waiting lists for female radiographers will be long putting women at risk.

NittWitt

^I suppose a male might ask if you want a chaperone but that would negate the staffing issue.^
The chaperone needn't be a radiographer, tho, she could be anyone.
Perhaps having a female chaperone there could be an answer to women's reluctance to have a male radiographer.

That is a practical way ahead. The shortage is so great atm - 17.5% vacancies. Possibly a way around is to have an all women option when booking but that depends on resources.

I had an internal ultrasound by a man and it was quite common, there was a woman there of course, and he did ask if it was OK, clearly most women had said OK, but presumably there was the option to ask, enough technicians.
In the mammogram situation, what options if only male staff on duty?

Its interesting the light of current discussions on women's spaces where theory hits reality.

I can't say this would bother me.

Never actually given this any thought - it just is what it is. I was never 'positioned' with lots of handling to have a mammogram either. I think a smear test done by male GP is actually a more intimate procedure anyway! Men also have intimate procedures carried out by female professionals - prostate examinations and treatment, catheter insertion etc. It works both ways.

I have had many examinations by male doctors and radiographers see my boobs etc. But when I have a mammogram the radiographer has to trouble getting my nipple's in position as whole of my breast area is the same colour I lack pigment where it should be darker. I wouldn't like a male radiographer messing with my boobs getting them into position. As there is always lot of pushing and pulling .

I’ve had breast cancer and my oncologist is a male as was the radiologist and clinician who took the initial biopsy.

They must see thousands of bosoms over their working life time.

Boredom would be the biggest thing I would have thought.

Dh has had prostate and bladder cancer and now self catheterised. He has had both male and female medical and nursing staff checking him out and he was taught to use the catheter by a brilliant female nurse.

When I had radiotherapy everyday for three weeks there were a couple of occasions when I had two men getting me in to the correct position. I wasn't that bothered as they were very professional and all I could think about was escaping as soon as possible as it was very uncomfortable. I think it's rather unfair to think these men would enjoy a quick feel. Would you say that about a gynecologist?

I've never thought about this and I'm lucky enough never to have experienced this sort of unprofessional behaviour from either doctors or nurses.
With vaginal smears there's less scope for "handling" when I think about it.
On balance I think the choice of chaperone is probably a good idea if staff shortages are making male mammographers essential.
I do see why some women see this as different from other intimate procedures.

I don’t think I would want a male to be so up-close-and-personal to me as they have to get for mammograms. I can certainly see that it would deter a number of women from attending.

I suppose the difference with screening mammograms and smears from other medical procedures is that you’re not being investigated for a medical problem when you attend for them whereas you’d require a T/V ultrasound if you have reported a female medical issue. That sounds convoluted, but it makes sense in my head!

merlotgran

keepingquiet

Only if they have been through a similar procedure where they get their whatnots crushed...

By a woman.

Some may enjoy that!🤔

Whiff

I have had many examinations by male doctors and radiographers see my boobs etc. But when I have a mammogram the radiographer has to trouble getting my nipple's in position as whole of my breast area is the same colour I lack pigment where it should be darker. I wouldn't like a male radiographer messing with my boobs getting them into position. As there is always lot of pushing and pulling .

As you say, a lot of handling and pushing and pulling.I would refuse a male radiologist for this procedure, or a transwoman.

I must admit my preference is for a female and for all other personal examinations if at all possible.