To have found my first mammogram really upsetting?

They do not have to “grab”. Manoeuvring whilst explaining and grabbing without are two very different things.

im sorry you’ve been grabbed @Sapphireblueeyes . That’s not how it’s supposed to be.

Well if we’re playing breast cancer top trumps l have invasive lobular cancer, and l don’t. MN is fucking batshit sometimes. We have a comprehensive screening programme, extensive research and new treatments have improved BC survival rates massively, yet the most important thing to posters here seems to be specific consent to touching the part of the body you already know is going to be examined !! OK then.

I never found anyone rude or aggressive.

Just polite and matter of fact.

Mamograms can be uncomfortable at the machine squeeze. But I sort of like the lack of drama and getting it out the way quickly and professionally.

I honestly don't like striking up friendly chit chat when I'm in a vulnerable, exposed position. Nope don't want to know a single luvvy/huggy detail about their lives.

They instruct, I follow direction, I leave politely.

I’ll second that. It’s an awful thing to say.

Given it’s your first mammogram, I think they SHOULD take the time to explain the procedure and not rely on you having done your own research as to what it involves.

We are constantly told by health care professionals to stay away from Dr Google. Therefore they need to do their job, and that goes beyond the physical mechanics of taking images.

I’m sorry, OP. But I need to clarify. Did you walk into the mammography suite topless? From where?

My set up is you change into a gown/top in a cubicle so you are covered up while waiting outside the actual room.

Alternatively, I’m asked to remove my top in the same room as the mammogram machine BUT I’m always given a gown and the side they aren’t doing is always covered up.

It always amuses me as there is this pretence of dignity/modesty when there really isn’t any, but at least an effort was made!

Your experience sounds harsh and undignified and I’m sorry you went through that.

My top tip is to keep your feet very firmly on the floor (the tendency is to go up on tip toes to offset some of the awkward positioning) l “jokingly” remind them that the machine is height adjustable. They usually take the hint that it’s too high to be comfortable. But I’m a veteran to mammos as I was at high risk, prior to cancer diagnosis.

Unless a patient is unconscious, they always say what they are doing.

When I have done first aid training, they advise to talk even when someoneis unconscious, as hearing issues often the last sense to go.

You don't necessarily need full consent before every touch, but I struggle to understand why so many (i.e. more than one) here don't seem to recognise it's good practice to let the patient know what is about to happen at every stage, especially if it involves touching their body in some way.

I would be shocked if this happened to me as I know nothing about mammograms.I wouldn’t anyone seeing or touching my breasts. At least I know when I go to my first appointment in c10 years time what to expect. (If we still have an NHS…)

Maybe calling the OP a baby is a bit harsh, but essentially this poster is right. The discomfort and vulnerability you feel at the mammogram pales into comparison when you’re called back for biopsy and find yourself sitting across the room from someone telling you that you have cancer. Happened to me three weeks ago and believe me, your whole view of the world changes overnight.

This thread could potentially discourage a lot of women from going for mammogram so can we please get some perspective. Yes, it’s uncomfortable, yes it’s potentially embarrassing and yes, someone is going to touch your beasts. But you won’t be ‘grabbed’ or treated like a piece of meat and it should be remembered that radiographers are trained professionals and need to be detached somewhat as they’re not permitted to discuss the images. If you’re nervous or it’s your first time, or you feel you need support then tell them.

Why would you say that ? Would you rather we not have a breast screening programme ? Would women be better just jogging along until a lump appears to indicate something is wrong ?

The breast cancer l’ve just been diagnosed with is lobular, deep in the tissues and doesn’t present as a lump. I was told by the consultant that had the screening not picked it up, despite my regular self examination, l would likely never have found anything amiss until it was too late to do anything about it. So instead of whining about the admittedly uncomfortable procedure and the feeling of vulnerability it produced, l feel pretty privileged right now, not to be under the sentence of death which would have been the outcome without screening.

Same here. My best friend is of an age to have mammograms. She describes it as her boobs being scanned like you would put paper into a scanner to be printed. Totally flattened.

The whole thing sounds bad enough... which is why it is vital the person doing the screening is patient and empathic. It is really upsetting me now reading how many people think informed consent does not matter.
During my ODP training, one thing I was fucking good at was advocating for patients. Every placement I had brought that up.

I had no idea about the foot pedal till i read this thread

Exactly - of course there isn’t. When l got the appointment for mammogram it was accompanied by literature which, had l never had one before, would have left me in no doubt what to expect. And as for those advocating for consent each time you are touched - what’s the point ? Are you going to say no ? If so what’s the point of even turning up ? If you’re nervous say so, if you’ve never had a mammogram before, say so. They’re radiographers not mind readers and they’re focused on getting images which might just turn out to be life saving.

Oh my goodness you have basically described my own experience. I had silent tears running down my face during the procedure. It felt barbaric.
I work in healthcare so I understand the importance of communication and treating people with dignity and respect.
I didn’t necessarily feel I need more information beforehand but I did feel deeply upset by the way the whole procedure was completed and the experience I had.
Im sorry that you have also had such an experience 😢

The procedures involved in screening and treatment can make people feel awful, alongside the pain/discomfort that comes with it.
But there is NO excuse for the nurse/HCP etc to add to that discomfort too. A huge part of their job is to make sure their their patient has fully informed consent, and that they as comfortable they can be despite the situation.

It does not matter.
Some people, for whatever reason, will not know what something involves. And a few people on this thread have said they have no idea what a mammogram entails.
Someone carrying out a smear/mammogram/blood test/ANYTHING, should always say what they are about to do.

Watch the various 999/A&E program. Lots on iplayer. Unless a patient is unconscious, they always say what they are doing. To not do that, is treating the patient like a a slab of meat. It is totally unprofessional.

@aerkfjherf you are fucking joking right?!?!

We only have OP’s word for it that the radiographer ‘didn’t do her job properly’. It sounds pretty much standard treatment across all the mammograms l’ve had. They are concentrating on doing things right and getting the best possible images - let’s not forget that potentially the patients’ life can depend on the accuracy of the images.

Having just had a breast cancer diagnosis following mammogram l really couldn’t give a shit about the radiographers’ demeanour - l’m more interested in the fact that she did her job well enough to allow the tumour to be identified as quickly as it was.

@XenoBitch Seriously, can there be a woman in the UK who wouldn't know the basics of what a smear test involves? And to an extent what happens when you have a mammogram? Surely women should take some responsibility in finding out what a procedure involves beforehand if they really have no idea?

The type of shit that will hopefully detect a tumour early enough to save your life ? I think we’ve lost sight of what mammogram is for. I can’t think of many health treatments and diagnostics that are as warm and fuzzy as you seem to want.

I will ask you what I asked a PP.
If you go for a smear, would you be happy to be told to strip from the waist, instructed to get on the table.... and then nothing else? They just put the speculum in with no warning. They don't explain anything, or ask if each stage is ok.
Because this is what happened to OP, but with her boobs.

I (sadly didn't finish) trained as an ODP. Consent in healthcare is such a huge thing. It is vital. When I did my practical exams.... they were obs so taking blood pressure, temp etc... it was drummed into us to explain what we were doing, and to check it was ok. If we didn't do that, it was a fail.
You do not just grab a patient and carry out xyz because they already "consented" on account of being there. That is literally treating someone like they are a piece of meat.

Women going for a mammogram are expected to strip to reveal a part of them that usually only their partner sees. They are already feeling vulnerable... add on top of that things like ASD, previous trauma or anxiety... you have a woman that is scared about the whole process. Yes, the test can be uncomfortable, and really painful for some. Women might come away feeling sore from the physical side of it, but they should never feel bad because the HCP screening them did't do their job properly.

I absolute agree but it's not the same for everyone and bad care isn't OK.

I think it makes you more realistic about your body, and you realise that there's no room to be embarrassed or uncomfortable with your breasts with people who are ultimately there to help you. And I completely agree that my cancer would have been found regardless of the radiographer's attitude - it really didn't make a difference or matter at all that she was grumpy and a bit rough - it still had the same outcome.

I would have thought that might have made you more sympathetic but cool.

And if that first radiographer hadn't been an arsehole your cancer still would have been found. Being rough didn't make them any more skilled at their job.

Under the circumstances, no, not really. As I said previously, I think having had breast cancer changes your perspective. If it hadnt been for the miserable and slightly rough radiographer who did the mammogram that picked up my cancer I would probably have been long dead by now.

You don't think telling a distressed woman 'don't be a baby' is awful? I certainly do. Totally bloody uncalled for.