Male workers should be able to carry out mammograms, experts say
Summary
Male health workers should be allowed to do breast cancer screening tests, known as mammograms, according to medical experts. This recommendation is due to a severe shortage in staff who are specialized in this area and the fact that mammograms are currently performed exclusively by female staff.Key Facts
- Medical experts suggest that male health workers should be able to perform mammograms.
- Mammograms are breast screening examinations that check for signs of cancer in women between the ages of 50 and 71.
- These tests are currently only performed by female staff.
- There's a serious staff shortage among specialized radiographers, or medical imaging professionals, with vacancy rates of 17.5% for those who specialize in breast exams.
- The vacancy rate becomes even higher (20%) for radiographers who specifically work with women who have found a lump or have a family history of breast cancer.
- A suggestion to allow men to perform mammograms has been considered and rejected in the past, but advocates believe it's time to reconsider the issue.
- At an annual conference by the Society of Radiographers (SoR), the idea of including transgender men in the NHS breast screening program was also discussed.
- Lastly, the report highlights that having male workers perform mammograms could also serve to attract more people to the profession and fill the staffing gap.
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