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[jaypo]

Just read that they want to recruit more men to do mammograms.
How would you feel if it were a man?
I personally wouldn't want this, it's very close up and personal to get this procedure,even though it's been men who have been my gynaecologists in the past and for some reason,I've not minded,although would still have preferred a woman.
A mammography is VERY hands on.

[Ayesha]

Yes, agree. Did you hear it on the Jeremy Vine show, what a waste of space it was having the subject discussed when it completely went off the point.

No, it's far too personal with a lot of intimate touching and as old as I am and been through it all, I would not want a man carrying out this procedure. I also think that more women will not come forward because of this.

[sheila99]

I'd probably walk out if it was a man.

[jaypo]

No Ayesha,just heard it on the news at lunchtime.
I find it astonishing that they think women really don't mind this and like you say,VERY intimate touching.
Sheila, I too would politely decline but then you know what would happen.......well you'll have to go back on the waiting list until a woman radiographer becomes an available 

[CLKD]

I would never have wanted a male midwife either.

[Nas]

If any of you are familiar with Mumsnet (?) there’s a HUGE discussion on this under the AIBU section 😊

I will go against the grain and say, yes to a man conducting my mammogram. I see men and woman as equals in profession, but totally understand why some women ( in the case of SA and or DV for example) would prefer a woman. Mammograms are intimate and undignified. There’s a lot of faff about where to out your arm and hand.

BUT, when you’ve had a man examine you umpteen times ( BC), had a man’s gloved hand  feeling for a mass and breast reconstruction and several heart echiograms performed by a man, I’ve no issue.

But I absolutely do and would not dismiss other women’s concerns and views.

[jaypo]

I would never have wanted a male midwife either.

Was a man that delivered my daughter but after 35 hours in labour, wasn't caring if it was a trained chimp 

[getting_old]

I can understand that it would bother some women, and think there should be a choice when making the appointment, but personally it wouldn't bother me.

I am intrigued however about the rationale for specifically saying they want to recruit more men to do mammograms, as that seems to go against what most women would want. Maybe it's just semantics as I could understand them saying they want to recruit more radiographers to do mammograms and are happy to recruit women or men into the roles.

[jaypo]

Yes I think they should definitely ask the woman first. Nearly every intimate hospital appointment I've had,it's been a man but with a mammogram, I just don't want a man lifting and pressing my boobets, I'd feel VERY uncomfortable

[Ayesha]

Its a strange thing, I don't mind a doctor carrying out this sort of procedure but a radiographer is different and I definitely would feel very uncomfortable with a male technician, its too personal a procedure to be alone in a room with a male handling me like that. I expect chaperones will be needed as most GP's have  when carrying out intimate examinations.

[Nas]

It’s definitely a very intimate procedure as you’ve got to be in such a particular position, almost like a pose. More chaperones will be required, if they train and employ male radiographers.

[bombsh3ll]

Whilst I personally am lucky enough to be breast free, I don't think I would be fussy although I do understand where others are coming from.

A chaperone is necessary but this can be a health care assistant, it doesn't require the specialist training of a radiographer so would still save time and money if lack of trained personnel is currently causing delays.

A choice can be offered where possible, but as others have said, if something is found you will very quickly be being examined manually by a surgeon, the majority of which are male anyway.

I have often (but not always) found gynaecological examinations by males to be gentler and more considerate - sometimes female clinicians can be a bit rough if they personally have never experienced any kind of pain or trauma in that department and assume anyone finding it difficult is just being a little princess.

I did have a male midwife come to the house in 1998 after I had my first child. He didn't need to examine me, but told me it was particularly important to get my smear as teenage mums tended to be at higher risk of cervical cancer.

When I questioned the biological mechanism for this, he said it was because they are promiscuous!

I don't think that's a gender issue though, some people just aren't suited to a patient facing role

[SundayGirl]

I saw this on the news yesterday too and I understand that this can be a very emotive and sensitive subject with widely varying views and preferences.

From my point of view I would be happy with a male radiographer. They are medical professionals performing a procedure.

I agree that a chaperone would be needed as in all situations of this type where the medic is male and the patient is female. This doesn't need to be someone medical though, it could be volunteers or other staff members.
 
I understand that some women wouldn't want a male performing this, but, as at the moment all mammography nurses are female, would you feel uncomfortable if the nurse was lesbian? Similar sort of situation really.

[Ayesha]

I wouldn't be uncomfortable with a lesbian because she is still a biological female, therefore no problem with me.

[Nas]

I also think there is a big difference between finding a definite lump and having a mammogram for that, compared to routine screening.

The former, I can’t imagine anyone would care too much if it was a man performing the procedure. The latter, maybe so.

So perhaps back to patient choice?