To have found my first mammogram really upsetting?

I was simply responding to the trope that 'men don't have to go through these things'. But men have their private parts handled and painfully so, too. There is no dignity for either sex when it comes to testing or treating private areas of the body.

I’m sorry you had a poor experience. Fortunately I’ve had better experiences and the radiologists have been pleasant and polite.

Mammograms are not compulsory, in spite of what so many people say. Just ask for a copy of the spot out form, fill it in and return it, and then you will be taken off the list. Screening has risks, and is not an essential.

No no no to the people who constantly on NHS columns give 'you ought to be grateful' as a retort to complaints about unprofessional discourteous behaviour by medical staff. I say this as a family member of nhs medics and work myself in another highly pressured profession.

It is not acceptable and it is profoundly short sighted for many reasons. Here's just two. First it strongly discourages some people from seeking medical assistance for anything and they live less well therefore or even die prematurely. Second, GP acquaintances of mine are genuinely worried ( notwithstanding their exhaustion) that so many better off people are effectively now opting out of the NHS as much as they can not only just to access timely treatment but because they get to choose a consultant etc who will treat them with basic courtesy. If a significant and powerful minority opt out, will nhs spending be a priority?

I had my first one last month and I found it very unpleasant too. I didn't realise it would be so hands on and uncomfortable. The radiographer who did mine was very nice though and explained everything and talked through it. I couldn't have contorted myself into the machine without her helping.

@saraclara
Ever heard what a prostate examination involves?

If you can think of a less intrusive method than an internal examination why not suggest it? Its no different from a Pap test, or a colonoscopy.

I've had quite a few mammograms over the years and thankfully only once encountered a nasty woman who pushed, pulled, tutted and eye rolled.
I wasn't the only one in the waiting room who was upset by her.
The procedure has improved too, no longer does the plate squash you front on so you feel like your breasts are going to explode through your back while you gasp for breath.
On the plus side, it gives me a warm glow knowing that some men have to go through the procedure on their manhood.
I don't think my partner has ever fully recovered from that procedure 🤭
Look at it this way op, as distressing as you may have found it, at least you know what to expect for next time.

I'm coming up to the age when I'll be called for a mammogram and whilst I'll do some research I would have responded the same as you OP. I've found lots of my interactions with the NHS a bit like this- slightly dehumanising and a lack of explanation. I work with people in my role, some of whom are vulnerable and I wouldn't dream of treating them with the utmost respect, even when I have high case loads etc.

I don't blame you for giving feedback, we all have a right to be treated respectfully

Really?, you have your nipples crushed in that machine? I am large and have never come across this. Sounds excruciating.

AIBU wasn't the best place for this, there's always someone wanting to put the boot in, some of these replies are shocking.

Op, I'm sorry that was your experience. Your autism is a red herring really, as you cope well normally with hospital appointments and quite frankly a lot of NT people would be upset to be manhandled without consent. I had a few mammograms, I've always been asked before they handle my breasts. Consent should be at the heart of every intimate procedure. I'm sorry some people here have not had that and seem desensitised to poor care.

I've had different intimate procedure where I was treated in a similar way and despite being a "veteran", I was upset and did complain. My complaint was taken seriously.

I am surprised you have never heard other women complaining how uncomfortable mammograms are? But they are a necessary evil that potentially save many lives . It’s a shame you had an unfriendly operator. I have always found them to be very pleasant. I am certain treatment for breast cancer would be much worse. Just put it down to experience OP and ask for assistance next time.

OP it sounds like the radiographer was just following instructions for getting a good set of images and found it difficult to follow the social rules in such a situation. Perhaps she is ND too.

OP, I have very large breasts and it's always been painful having a mammogram. On Friday I had a private one as I needed it urgently and there was a long wait for the NHS. It cost £140. I was amazed because for the first time it didn't hurt at all. The radiographer was so lovely and kind. I'm going to pay in future. I had the result in minutes too.

Yes but knowing you are autistic and that it’s related to an intimate part of the body you should certainly precheck what’s involved.

How patronising. The person carrying out the procedure should have used their words. When dealing with members of the public in a vulnerable position, the onus should be on them to put people at their ease as much as possible and to explain what’s happening. They would have been fully aware that this was the op’s first mammogram. Consent is a big deal, and I have always felt that staff have gone out of their way during medical procedures to make sure I’m ok with what’s happening, even though I do know why I’m there! YANBU to have expected more consideration, op.

To be fair to OP it was a bit of a shock for my first one too! I had no idea how much one is manhandled during it. I'll find the next one easier as I'll know what to expect.

@underscorer First, we pay for the service via our taxes; it's not "luck"

Nope. There are many other countries that collect taxes from citizens and don’t offer this as a government funded service so that’s not a strong argument. It is indeed a privilege.

For example, where I am we have free chickenpox vaccine series for every child, not like the UK where it’s only free if you meet the NHS ‘at risk’ criteria. I could blather on and say ‘it’s our right, we pay taxes, we shouldn’t be grateful for it’, but that’s silly. We also have free mammograms over a certain age, but again not all countries (talking about developed countries with tax systems) do, so I am also grateful for this. There’s a lot of entitlement when it comes to healthcare when you are just used to getting things for free on the basis ‘I pay tax’.

I would have thought so, yes. I have a history of having benign cysts in my breasts, which have to be monitored carefully, so I would rather my very busy and stressed radiographer focuses on that than be warm and pleasant.

You lost me at intimidating machine. Get a grip.

Perhaps the radiologist is autistic too and was focused on doing the scan accurately.

In some ways the radiographer being focussed on getting image like a clinical professional rather than being overly personal is helpful

It sounds like an autistic perspective on a mammogram . You are 'manhandled' into position because that's the nature of the scan.

It isn't nice but it's over with quickly .

You really should have said you are autistic ( my dd is and she would freak out)

I have family history so I have then yearly and although they have differed with different women they are all the same overall .

I’ve had two and both radiologists have been sensitive.
You should have stated that you are autistic- they gave you the option to declare.

I get it OP, I had a mammogram as a teen and it was so awful. I would say none of the behaviour was out of the ordinary but it’s just not a nice experience and the radiographers wasn’t personable she was just focused on getting the images and that’s it.

as a patient I was mostly afterthought

I've only had one, last year, but it was ok. It was uncomfortable and made worse by having a very painful shoulder issue. I warned the person doing it about that on arrival.

I also googled what would happen beforehand as I wasn't really sure. I wanted to be a bit forewarned, especially due to the shoulder issue.

When I entered the room I was told what would happen and how, and that the person doing it would need to manoeuvre my body around a bit and touch me to get the right position. I did reiterate the shoulder issue which they took into account as best they could.

Whole thing took less than 5 minutes and - whilst it's not something I'd choose to do if I didn't have to and it was painful at times - it wasn't too bad. I was a little bruised/sore after but I don't think there is a way round it due to the nature of the scans.