To have found my first mammogram really upsetting?

I empathise with you enormously as anything new is difficult to grapple with, especially so if it involves people moving and touching your body.

However, equally, they have a job to do and they have to move the breast into the correct position for your benefit.

You are autistic therefore you do have SEN, so in future you need to let them know and they can provide more info in advance and a range of accommodations.

It is just a piece of flesh. They have ti put them in the cirrect place. It isnt pleasant but necessary

I think your experience would have been completely different with a kind nurse. I’ve had many mammograms due to having had breast cancer and none of them are ‘nice’, but with the support of a friendly nurse, I have never had a bad experience. Next time (and you must still go next time!), say that you had a bad experience and are nervous.
Be kind to yourself, try and put it down to experience (I know that’s easier said than done) and make a pact with yourself that next time you will speak to them first. Also mention it to the receptionist, they can forewarn the nurse. They are a bit matter of fact because of the number of patients they have to get through in a day, but don’t let this one experience stop you going again.

Don’t be so fucking ridiculous. Nobody should have to put up with being manhandled with little to no communication during a medical procedure.

A mammogram cannot be performed without manipulation of breasts.

If you attend a mammogram then consent for the radiographer to handle your breasts is presumed.

And advice for junior doctors on approaching intimate examinations: https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/your-wellbeing/insight-and-advice/first-times-in-medicine/dealing-with-intimate-examinations

honestly, it’s depressing how many people are telling the op to shut up and put up. Just because the NHS is a great institution doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t have high expectations of how our HCPs treat us.

Interesting. It also says non-verbal consent can be given, though. Like holding out an arm for a blood test.

well yes . But the onus is on the professional to be courteous and to do the job in a way that will encourage returns. They would have known it was first or should have asked.

For anyone saying consent is not needed: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/consent-to-treatment/#:~:text=Consent%20from%20a%20patient%20is,and%20international%20human%20rights%20law.

The onus was on you to ask more.

That horrific, genuinely. It’s easy to say complain but sometimes you’re so shocked and left feeling so vulnerable after something like that, it can be hard to find the words. I’m really sorry that happened to you.

Whaaa? Being a medical professional doesn’t exempt you from consent processes, in fact being in a position of significant power over someone in a vulnerable state means these are even more important. I do wish HCP had better training in the impact of their behaviour: it matters.

Agreed. Though apparently they don't as I told them to stop my smear part way through and they ignored me.

I'm sorry you feel the need to make this comment. However expecting basic manners and respect from a paid healthcare professional should not be exceptional.

I think this was a terrible experience for the OP and given her feelings about it, I don't think your comment helps in this particular thread.

It doesn't sound like your service was great but to be fair there is information everywhere about the process. The radiographer usually tells you to lean forward or move your shoulder or whatever.

Just chalk it up to experience. Think of what it protects you from.

Having been through treatment for bc, the slight discomfort of a mammogram is really very mild in comparison, so steel yourself and be thankful you don't need to cope with other indignities. It's over now for 3 years.

But it's a mammogram, they have to handle your breasts to get you in the right position for optimum results, You can't do it by yourself. Please don't take it so hard. I understand that it seems very impersonal, and feels a little uncomfortable, but its over so fast. It's just routine for the radiographer. It needs to be quick and efficient. I Hope your results are good .

My first one was a couple of years ago. I was expecting it to be terrible because of all the tales I'd heard. It was mildly uncomfortable at worst, so it's not always a terrible experience.

Smears aren't just HPV tests - they're also a visual check, which is how I ended up being referred to gynae for some polypectomy.

It doesn't take any extra time to have a pleasant manner and explain what you're doing as you go along, and to treat the patient like a person rather than an inconvenience attached to the bit being scanned. In fact I'm pretty sure that patient-centred care is a core tenet of the NHS.

Our breast care unit is very good, it’s the only one I’ve known so I’ve naively assumed they were all like that. I’ve had a lot of dealings with them over last 2 years and they have been polite, kind and funny.

what you experienced sounds none of those things and you were right to give feedback.
my first mammogram wasn’t entirely unexpected as had talked to friends but it was uncomfortable….but professionally done and process explained.

To anyone trying to make the OP sound unreasonable… when you’re having a smear test done, do you think th err should just prise open your legs and shove the speculum in without asking or warning just to save time? Do you think if they didn’t that to you that you would just be grateful? Because walking into the room was you giving consent? If someone is going to touch your breast they must ask or say “I’m just going to…”. OP is on the right here 100%

I'm an ex nurse, so not sensitive re nakedness, or being touched, but I can definitely see it from your point of view OP. At my last one, I had to take off my upper clothes in a changing room, then walk out into and across a large room, totally exposed, ie there were no gowns to wear until you met the radiographer and reached the equipment (and obviously the same once completed). Lady was nice,in terms of chat, but as you say, just moved me around, without asking. I did leave thinking that was all a bit bizarre (mainly the walking around topless bit). Enough to have mentioned it to my nursing relatives. I was called somewhere else for my previous one, and you undressed at the scanner, which seemed appropriate. I'm sorry you felt so uncomfortable OP, please don't let it put you off your next one. For PP giving you a hard time, not everyone's experiences are the same!! A bit of thought for people's dignity, makes a big difference to their experience AND likelihood of returning.

Well, that certainly ssounds awful and justifies a complaint. I continue to think that no consent is needed before touching breasts during a mammo though.

It's a breast examination. Surely you realised they'd need to touch your breasts?
God help you when you go for a smear!

Neither is a great experience, both are uncomfortable, but having these tests done regularly could save your life - and they are free.

I’m 63 so have had a few now, only once did I feel uncomfortable, boobs pushed here, there and everywhere and it really hurt, so I do think I maybe just had someone who wasn’t as experienced in getting the right position first time. I just had one this week, first time ever was asked to put my hair behind my ears, my hair is short. Unfortunately they really want to get the best angles and it can take a bit of time. The fastest one I had was 2021 through the bad Covid months, it was very quick so I am very glad this week’s one was more accurate. I have big boobs (and saggy) so it’s easier for me, but I expect it’s more painful for those with smaller boobs.

That's not true. Plenty of autistic people have no special educational needs. Lots of us find education/academic study far easier than the rest of life.