Male Workers Should Be Able To Carry Out Mammograms, Experts Say

Male wellness workers should beryllium allowed to execute bosom screening examinations to thief relieve unit shortages, opportunity experts.

X-rays called mammograms are offered to women betwixt nan property of 50 and 71 each 3 years to cheque for signs of cancer, but tin presently only beryllium performed by female staff.

The Society of Radiographers (SoR) has called for a alteration successful argumentation owed to "critical" unit shortages among radiographers who specialise successful this area.

Sally Reed, 67, who had 2 mastectomies aft mammograms revealed bosom cancer, told nan BBC that "if thing tin prevention your life you should spell for it" - whether it's administered by a female aliases man.

But Sally besides admits women who already don't want to spell for bosom screening "would decidedly beryllium turned disconnected by a man".

Breast X-rays, which look for cancers that are excessively mini to spot aliases feel, are only permitted to beryllium undertaken by female wellness workers. Mammography is nan only wellness introspection carried retired exclusively by female staff.

According to radiographers, nan vacancy complaint among mammographers who specialise successful bosom exams is 17.5%.

Among mammographers who measure women who person recovered a lump successful their bosom aliases person a family history of bosom cancer, nan fig is 20%.

Changes to staffing were being discussed astatine nan yearly SoR conference, pinch discussions besides taking spot complete whether transgender men should beryllium included successful nan NHS bosom screening programme.

Sue Johnson, who represents nan SoR, told nan BBC: "The domiciled of nan radiographer has developed and evolved and location is simply a overmuch broader scope to nan occupation domiciled than simply taking nan images.

"It's a very desirable and enjoyable profession and men are saying 'we would for illustration to entree that aforesaid profession and we could thief present nan service'".

Johnson said she believes this could thief nan recruitment of much radiographers and unfastened up nan occupation to much qualified group because "mammography doesn't get arsenic overmuch publicity" arsenic different wellness professions.

The imaginable of men performing mammograms has been explored unsuccessfully successful nan past, but Johnson believes "the world has changed" and that "the clip is right" to commencement reconsidering nan role.

Sally Reed said having 2 mammograms 15 years isolated were responsible for "saving" her life.

She's now had 2 mastectomies aft 2 abstracted bosom crab diagnoses.

Because of what she's gone through, having a antheral radiographer "wouldn't fuss maine astatine all", she says.