Mammograms and male radiographers

In my experience male professionals "handle" the female body with more care than their female counterparts.
I agree there'll be a big drop in take up. There'll also need to be a female chaperone available.

I have never had a mammogram where the radiographer didn't lift and position my breasts into position. I think we'd be there half the day with me shuffling around if they weren't lining me up to the machine, raising the plates to the correct height, adjusting and readjusting my breasts etc none of which is possible from across the room.

I've fortunately had mammograms with only female radiographers although there has sometimes been a male radiographer looking at the screen in a blocked off area. This didn't worry me at all.

eddiecat78

I think the unique feature of mammograms is that the operative stands so close behind you, virtually with their arms around you - all done with nobody else present.
I suppose a male might ask if you want a chaperone but that would negate the staffing issue.
If I was faced with just a male radiographer I would leave.

I had my first ever mammogram yesterday ( moral support for my friend, as I had always avoided them), and the radiographer was on the other side of the room. I seemed to manage to get ‘into position’ with minimal help from her, and I think she did ask me to move a bit, rather than manipulate the boobs herself. I was surprised that I didn’t find it at all painful, maybe just slightly uncomfortable for a second or two. Perhaps my generous boobies are a perfect size for scanning! Oddly enough, I always feel the gloves are a good barrier when anyone has to examine any naughty bits!
Based on this, I wouldn’t mind a male radiographer, but I think many women would mind very much.

"I was most put out to be told by a male consultant that my husband was lucky - he actually said that I had a very young body for my age! This was after calcifications had been diagnosed in my breast. I managed to avoid any comments from the female doctors so females are best!!"

That is awful!
I would feel the same level of awkwardness if an M&S member of staff was measuring me for a bra fitting. Prefer to have a choice. Not having one is a definite deterrent.

I had my latest one yesterday, lovely woman. Having had a male doctor palpate my breasts before and after breast cancer and radiotherapy administered by males I could accept a male radiographer. Irrationally I still think manipulating my breasts onto the plate would feel more embarrassing by a man and would vastly prefer another woman.
I agree it could put women off going for screening, and would want everyone to be informed before they arrive, but if it becomes necessary for males to conduct the mammograms I wouldn't want it that religious preference should automatically override any other women's preference.

I would not like it. I had a chest X-ray a few years ago, and ready and waiting in the hospital gown was asked if I would prefer a female radiographer. I declined but the handling was not intimate; mammograms are and I would prefer them conducted by a female.
Is this a subversive attempt to get men into women's (most intimate ) spaces? See statement published by Resident(Junior) doctors concerning the Supreme Court ruling.

I think the unique feature of mammograms is that the operative stands so close behind you, virtually with their arms around you - all done with nobody else present.
I suppose a male might ask if you want a chaperone but that would negate the staffing issue.
If I was faced with just a male radiographer I would leave.

When I had breast cancer I was seen at the Breast Imaging Centre in Oxford. It appeared to be staffed by just women. I’ve had three children and a miscarriage and was seen and examined intimately by men and women. But boobs are a different ball game. I fear some women would be put off if they knew a man would be handling them - and there is a lot of handling involved, especially for ladies like me with rather large boobs.

shysal

I have recently had breast cancer radiotherapy treatment. About 80% of the visits were with males, who had to set me up into exactly the correct position. They were so lovely and polite that I didn't worry at all. Goes with the territory I am afraid. I was just grateful that all the procedures are available under the NHS.

Same here. Personally, it wouldn't bother me, but women should know they'll be given a choice.

My ECGs have largely been with men.
I have been asked each time if I minded.
Not quite the same but similar.

I was most put out to be told by a male consultant that my husband was lucky - he actually said that I had a very young body for my age! This was after calcifications had been diagnosed in my breast. I managed to avoid any comments from the female doctors so females are best!!

I have recently had breast cancer radiotherapy treatment. About 80% of the visits were with males, who had to set me up into exactly the correct position. They were so lovely and polite that I didn't worry at all. Goes with the territory I am afraid. I was just grateful that all the procedures are available under the NHS.

No not for me I still feel the whole procedure embarrassing but necessary task. I’m grateful for all my screenings no matter what. However a breast screening is quite intimate and I would prefer a woman.

I expect this would be an absolute No for Muslim women. I understand the staffing issues but I believe women have to be given the choice, not when they arrive but beforehand

This is a necessary and uncomfortable evil made bearable by the fact that you know you will be seeing a woman in an safe, entirely female environment.

It would be a very strange feeling to go into a cubicle, strip to the waist and then be lead to a small, darkish room to be manhandled behind closed doors. I would hate it.

I think it would lead to a drop in women going for these vital checks. I too have had all kinds of procedures carried out by male nurses and doctors, but there's something different about a mammogram which I can't quite explain. I might be ok with it personally, but I know a lot of women would feel very comfortable with it - and anything which puts people off going is a bad thing.

There were no radiographers at one point when I was living in Oxfordshire. As I was working at the time, I once went to private clinic in London and paid £200. Apart from the torture of boobs being squashed, the nursing staff were extremely gentle. The radiographer was also a top European medic, and the consultant was in the next office. By the time I was dressed, I was given the all clear. Not the same experience ever with the NHS. Even gentler and sympathetic handling would have gone a long way. And they were the same gender!

Chocolatelovinggran

I would be OK with this, but many women would not, so I fear that it would result in a drop in take up. This potential result could negate all of the advantages of gaining extra staff.

My next door neighbour is a mammogram nurse.
She told me about this a while ago.
The feeling amongst the nurses is that it will deter a lot of women having the procedure.

keepingquiet

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

By a woman.

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

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.

I would be OK with this, but many women would not, so I fear that it would result in a drop in take up. This potential result could negate all of the advantages of gaining extra staff.

Well, until I read the OP thread I had not given it much thought.
I have also been intimately examined by male obstetricians, gynaecologists, plus medical students of both professions but I too am not sure about a male handing my boobs for a mammogram. However, I recently had mine so will have to wait and see what happens in three years time.