To have found my first mammogram really upsetting?

Very empathetic and supportive!

Your parents must be so proud.

Anti-vaxer?

Boohoo.

Absolutely agree about encouraging all women to look after their health and also to be honest and open about our own experiences.

In truth, I only commented on this thread because I too had an experience that was not too dissimilar to the OP.
I am by no means a drama queen, I just felt looking back after reading these posts that it wasn't the best experience (I'm old enough and wise enough to know it's not going to be a pleasant BTW)
I also think as child bearers we are expected at times to just 'get on with it' (but that's a whole new thread, and one that's probably been covered here already!)
I have taught my Autistic daughter that it's a positive thing to try and speak out when we're feeling uncomfortable (in any situation) and as a female to not just be expected to 'get on with it' we all need to know (and help others understand) that when we are feeling vulnerable, our feelings are absolutely valid.

I can't help but say as some people need reminding that a little kindness goes a long way..

We don’t have gowns for the mobile unit.

There is a small changing cubicle with a door leading to the radiographer.

All very private so no real need for the gown.

Hospital is different - it usually involves different scans/ seeing others/waiting so gowns are provided. Most of us just sat about in the waiting area in gowns.

@Unleashthehordes in most places it’s not normal to give gowns. Gowns get in the way, can cause artefact on the image if not removed out of the imaging area properly so it takes longer and is more hassle for the mammographer and client. The exception I’ve seen is where women have to wait in a public area after undressing-obviously they are given gowns while they wait. But whew I’ve worked, either they’ve come straight into the room after changing in a cubicle or they undress in the room.

Agree jumpingthruhoops. And being told that you have cancer (if you do) is usually two weeks after the biopsy, not at the biopsy as far as I am aware. Also, lumps and bumps can be one of many things, and only 20% of biopsies show cancer. So the chances are you will be fine.

1 in 7 women are likely to develop breast cancer though, so that means we must take care of ourselves.

https://breastcancernow.org/about-us/why-we-do-it/breast-cancer-facts-and-statistics/

Never given a gown.

To clarify OP, I wasn’t asking you to explain because I didn’t believe you, it just struck me as “off” that you were expected to walk around topless. Where I am, I’m always given a gown/top so it struck me as strange that you weren’t.

I’d be interested to know from others if the provision of a hospital type gown is usual or not. It’s never occurred to me one wouldn’t be provided and given it’s your first, you wouldn’t know it was routine to get one.

BUT I’m very surprised that no one else has pointed out you didn’t get a modesty gown, so now I’m wondering whether a gown is usual or unusual for this procedure within the NHS.

If it is usual, and you weren’t provided one, then this should be added to your complaint (if you decide to complain). It demonstrates a particular lack of care or interest in preserving your dignity.

Whilst I agree we are quite fortunate to have these screening programmes. I don't think that the people who are doing this screening should be exempt. from complaints, if they ride roughshod over women. and treat them like a slab of meat in an abattoir. We still have the right to complain if we wish, These people are being paid a decent wage to do this, and should be taking into account the feelings of the human being they are prodding and poking at.

I get sick of this 'we should be soooo grateful for all this.' And 'we've are sooo lucky to live in this country' type of thing. There's a lot of people living on the bones of their arse, who haven't got a pot to piss in, and whilst there are far worse countries to live in, the UK has its problems and flaws. We have a right to complain about things if we are not happy!

This 'we should be grateful for everything we've got' attitude really does my head in. As has been said, we do PAY for it! I've been offered breast screening twice and I've turned it down both times - and I have my own reasons for this, and I'm not explaining to anybody why I won't have it done. (Despite all these men working soooo hard to create these machines to help us wimmin, blah blah blah.')

I also decided to stopped having cervical smears several years ago, and have opted out. I'm not having anymore now. Cervical smears are so horribly intrusive and grim. Whilst (in during all the smears I ever had,) I had a couple of pleasant nurses, I had quite a number that were really rough. Actually fucking hurt me, pinched me, rammed the thing in like whacking a nail into a wall, and barely spoke.

Also, I have a massive problem with the fact that I was BULLIED into them by the doctors in the 1990s, and spoken to like I was a naughty child, with threats of not giving me the contraceptive pill if I refused it. But also, I do NOT want it anymore. (I'm currently in my early to mid 50s, and I have never had any issue with any cervical smears.)

That is my right and I won't be explaining why to anybody. I've got my own personal valid reasons to not have breast screening (ever,) and cervical smears (anymore.) Why should I have it just because it's available? And why should I be soooo grateful to have it? It's a free country and a democracy, and I've got the right to say I don't want it.

And don't anyone waste my time saying 'but I bet you will want the medical care if you get breast cancer or cervical cancer' because you don't know me. (And I will ignore any posts saying this.)

I agree. Shame on you @Sapphireblueeyes

Agree with this too! ^

This. ^

It really sounds dreadful. I absolutely believe you that it wasn't conducted with the level of professionalism it should have been. Barking orders at you is not on.

And to clarify, there was nothing sent to me with the letter - no leaflets or anything.

The leaflets our Health Authority send out are very informative indeed. Not just for this type of procedure either.

Not your responsibility I know, but if someone comes back to you to discuss your experience, it might be worth suggesting that they do send out leaflets. If not for everyone, as I understand it costs money and there may be different priorities, then maybe for people attending their first examination.

In what way was the OP 'fortunate' to be grabbed in an insensitive way without being asked if it was ok? I don't think telling someone to be grateful for being made to feel uncomfortable at such an appointment is helpful at all.
Yes we women in the UK are very lucky to be offered this service however, that doesn't mean we have to be manhandled or disrespected or made to feel 'invaded'. There are ways & means of doing things & the Person doing the scan should have explained what they were about to do & ask if OP was ok with it before going ahead.

What a fucking vile comment. You awful person.

If you turn up to an appt for a mammogram, I think consent is implied. I mean, it goes with the territory. They have to get the boob squeezed as thin as possible and you can't do that yourself, it needs the operator to move all sorts of things - your feet, your boob, the plates, the scanner, your arms, your hips.

How do you think a woman would do differently? They need to get a thin slice through the breast. How else can that be achieved?

OP, please don't feel you have to explain.

I actually think what you describe is fairly common, despite what some posters on here might believe - or indeed want you to believe.
All this talk of 'these negative posts will put women off going for the procedure' is nonsense. That's not what will put women off. No... what will put women off having mammograms is not being treated with dignity and respect by healthcare professionals during what is a very intimate procedure.
Women aren't 'out of order' for simply stating facts.
I'm sorry you were treated this way. I guess all you can do now, is use this experience to pre-empt such treatment going forward to ensure it's not repeated at future mammograms.

@YompingJo your radiographer sounds exactly like the one I had. I hope we get one of the more friendly ones next time.

It's all very wet supporting the sisterhood, but not by lying!
It's obvious that some people have had bad experiences - I don't think there is harm in telling others that this can happen. At least they are fully warned, because you obviously can't rely on the professionals.
I read everything I was directed too - I assumed I was fully informed. I have been in the past with NHS thing's. I wasn't this time - how was I supposed to know I should hunt down videos on YouTube. A place where the accuracy of information can be dubious to say the least.
My radiographer knew it was my first time but explained nothing.
And yes, she did grab my boobs and push and pull other parts of me without any warning.
And yes, I had to remove my clothes in the same room, in front of her, dump stuff on a chair. No gown was provided and I did feel incredibly vulnerable

Some women don't believe the impact heavy periods, or period pain can have on others, just because they don't have a problem. Some women think others are making a fuss about pregnancy a labour just because they didn't experience HG, a 30 hour labour, an assisted birth, an episiotomy, a tear etc.

Surely the sisterhood should be about believing and supporting rather than demanding a cover up?

I've had a few mammograms and a couple of them were with staff who were cold and rough. I had breast pain afterwards for a couple of months on these two occasions and thought twice about having subsequent scans.

OP don't listen to people who say you are just lucky to get this screening. You deserve kindness and humanity too for this procedure.