Mammograms and male radiographers

The handling of the breasts when being given a mammagram are far too close to the caressing of the breasts when making love to have that done to by a man who will by physically very close in the way one's partner is when making love. I find that unacceptable.

I say this despite being some one who has never had any problems whatsoever about intimate examinations around my genitalia. But then the male doctor/nurse does not have his body in close contaact with mine as he undertakes the examination.

I am passed the age for havng routine mammograms, but it does worry me that it would put many women off having them.

Although I am a doctor myself, and have personally had many intimate examinations by male doctors ( some who I knew personally) I still balk at having a man doing my mammogram.
It is an extremely close range procedure and there's a lot of moving breasts around... I am small breasted and that requires as much careful positioning as larger boobs.
I also think men don't really understand how sensitive breasts can be. I admit though that , when I am required to examine a chaps " bits " I don't personally know how he feels ( although I am married). I try to be really gentle though.

Rosie51

mabon1

I would rather have a male mamographer than not have a mammogram .

And I suspect some of us who have stated a firm preference for a female would say the same but why should it come down to that? Given they will have to provide a female chaperone to accompany these males that's going to take staff away from other areas. The solution is to make the role more attractive to women which will likely be a combination of decent pay combined with flexible working to accommodate those with caring responsibilities.

I'm not sure they would have to provide a female chaperone. I've had intimate examinations by male doctors, although I was asked if I wanted a female chaperone. I've also had medical photos taken by a male photographer without a chaperone. If there were a box on the form which asked me quite clearly if I were prepared to have a male mammographer without a chaperone, I'd tick it. Other women could tick "no".

My very mammogram, abroad, was done by a male radiographer. It was fine, he was quite gentle.

I hope that a male mammogram tech would go out of his way to make the patient feel at ease. They probably get tips on this as part of their training. During my last mammogram the female tech remarked "remember when they used to be perky". Even in a joking fashion a that comment made me feel embarassed.

To be honest I'm past caring about who is carrying out procedures with my body parts. Just so long as they keep on keeping me alive. Had a bit of a scare with the results of my scan on Monday, my doctor said everything was reported as ok except there were anomalies in my bones which he said were signs of bone cancer, I've already had breast and bladder cancer. But my GP said they had made no further mention of this in the conclusion they had written. He was suspicious that they had left out a vital word on the report so he wrote back to the radiologist to check. My GP texted me today and said that he had heard back and that they had left out the word NO in the report as in 'no' anomalies in the bones. Bit of lack of care by whoever wrote the report but so glad my GP is so thorough.

I'm really unsure. I would definitely prefer a woman, however, if that meant I had to wait months longer I might have to reconsider.
The worry is, as others have said, is that some women will refuse to have them because they are embarrassed or because their culture would not be happy about it.

mabon1

I would rather have a male mamographer than not have a mammogram .

And I suspect some of us who have stated a firm preference for a female would say the same but why should it come down to that? Given they will have to provide a female chaperone to accompany these males that's going to take staff away from other areas. The solution is to make the role more attractive to women which will likely be a combination of decent pay combined with flexible working to accommodate those with caring responsibilities.

I would rather have a male mamographer than not have a mammogram .

Galaxy

Yes it is always a choice isn't at first, but I think after a while women would be described as hysterical, or shamed for causing a fuss. Other women are OK about it so why aren't you.
Maybe some sort of opt in system where those who would like a man can have one but that as a rule the operative us female.

That would be fine by me. I don't know how many women feel the same as I do, but if it reduces waiting lists, that's great.

No problem for me. They wear gloves and are professionals.

Yes it is always a choice isn't at first, but I think after a while women would be described as hysterical, or shamed for causing a fuss. Other women are OK about it so why aren't you.
Maybe some sort of opt in system where those who would like a man can have one but that as a rule the operative us female.

I remember chatting away to a male doctor whilst he was stitching me up after I had given birth. I wouldn’t care tuppence about male or female doctors after that experience. In any case, we can ask for a female chaperone.

keepingquiet

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

When an uncomfortable procedure is necessary, it really wouldn't worry a man who performs it.

I have a medical condition which involves quite a bit of contact with 'my bits'.
The majority of the professionals I see, including my consultant are male.
All have treated me with respect, kindness and empathy - I simply couldn't fault any of them and I'm speaking as someone who was the victim of sexual assault as a 13 year old.

However I can totally understand why some people would prefer to be treated by a medic of the same gender....as with most things, choice is the operative word.

You made me laugh out loud when I read your post.kudos

Most other procedures carried out by a man are always done with a chaperone or several other medical staff present. I would not be comfortable with only a male for my mammogram. Men are also more likely to be sexual predators so it cannot be compared with a woman nurse carrying out any medical care with a man’s bits!

As I've already written, I think it's important that women are given a definite choice. Personally, it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I've never found mammograms that uncomfortable and since I had breast cancer, I've become used to having my breast touched and manipulated by loads of different medics. I didn't keep a tally of the number of males, but I reckon it was about half. The doctor who did the initial biopsy after a suspicious area was spotted was male, as was the doctor who inserted wires so the lesions could be located easily. The surgeon and his assistant who performed my surgery were male, as were some of the radiographers who administered radiotherapy, which involves moving the breast to the optimal position. I then had my other breast reduced, so that it matched - both surgeons were male and I had to stand while they draw little marks with a Sharpie pen on my breast. It didn't occur to me once that these people were male - they were doctors as far as I was concerned.

I was far more embarrassed when I had a cyst removed from inside my vagina. I was in stirrups on an operating table and, looking down, all I could see was the male surgeons head between my legs.

Nevertheless, it is important that as many women as possible have mammograms and I think it should be made quite clear beforehand that there is an option to have a female mammographer.

Colorectal with a male fine, but I would just walkout if it was a male radiographer handling my breasts they are the most sensual and sensual part of me.

I’ve always been okay with a male examining me but as others have mentioned I’m not so sure about having a man perform my mammogram. Again, as others have mentioned there is a lot of handling done performing the mammogram and I don’t think I would feel comfortable with that.

You are never too old, when I had mine at 71 I was told I could continue to be checked every three years all I needed to do was ring for an appointment, I duly did this last year and had the mammogram two weeks later, I was given a card with my details and a contact number to rebook in 2027, which I hopefully will be around to book.

I don’t think you are being unreasonable and I wish I knew why, I’ve had five children and often joked when younger that the sight of a white coat and I’d be stripping off, however as I’ve got older I realise I’d much rather have female health professionals, and considering the amount of handling one’s breasts go through whilst being manoeuvred into a scanner I’d definitely want a female radiographer.

Like others I have been used to male docs but do not like the idea of a male handling my boobs and then compressing them between the plates. Apart from the handling which is intrusive to say the least I would be worried that without having experienced the procedure themselves they would compress them too much or incorrectly position them and cause extra discomfort. Too old to have them now so irrelevant for me.

That's exactly the issue here, madeleine45. Some of us on here may feel ok about having a male radiographer perform a mammogram, others clearly would not be ok with it - so it's important that everyone has a choice.
However, I can definitely see this putting some women off going for a mammogram in the first place, and that's worrying. It's vital that we encourage as many as possible to have these regular checks, and anything which discourages people from attending is a retrograde step.

Though I would much prefer to be X rayed by a woman, I suppose that I would gird my loins ( or should I say breasts) nd would accept a male doing it, though ( I think ) it is the only procedure where some very intimate handling to get the boobs in the right place is needed.
I think there are some very risky drawbacks. How many women might be overwhelmed by nervousness and complain that a man has touched her in a sexual way, when her anxiety has led to her misunderstanding, and how many men might be tempted to be a little too eager.
And how many men might be very reluctant to perform the test because of that possibility that complaints could be made when they were totally innocent.
The only safeguard would be either CCTV or another person in the room,. The risk of some villain managing to share those recordings with others would put off some women as well.
Seems to me that there needs to be a campaign to persuade more women to do the training , and make the job more attractive in terms of salary and working hours.