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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this was rude (mammogram related)

77 replies

HelpMebeok · 02/06/2023 21:54

So yesterday I went for my first mammogram. I have big boobs. Walked in and the nurse said "obviously you've quite big so we might need to take more photos". Not rude but made me feel a bit self conscious. Then so she was pressing my boob onto the machine said "blimey these are really heavy!!" AIBU to think they was rude? I mean she wasn't wrong but did she need to point it out? It wasn't said in a kindly way.

OP posts:
TeamSleep · 02/06/2023 21:56

Yeah that would upset me, very unprofessional.

UpaladderwatchingTV · 02/06/2023 21:58

Kindly, I think you were perhaps feeling anxious and took her words to heart OP. Bear in mind that she feels women's breasts every day of the week, big ones, small ones, every shape and size, so she probably thought she was making a joke to make you feel more relaxed. When you've been another couple of times, hopefully you'll take it in your stride, and not be quite so edgy about it.

SonnySideDown · 02/06/2023 22:01

I warn larger breasted that sometimes they require additional images to ensure coverage of the entire breast tissue (we wouldn't want to miss anything).

However I wouldn't ever comment on the weight of a woman's breast and that was inappropriate of her. Unfortunately some people lack tact, and some of those people work in healthcare. She should know better!

BTW we are radiographers not nurses though.

ShatParp · 02/06/2023 22:01

She was probably (maybe a bit awkwardly) trying to make you laugh to put you at ease, they tell everyone they might have to take more pics regardless of tit size, don't worry

Birdsongsinging · 02/06/2023 22:03

I think it was wrong for them to say that.

RightWhereYouLeftMe · 02/06/2023 22:04

I think the first comment was fine, sounds like factual info it might be useful for you to know.

Second comment about the weight was unnecessary and a bit rude, but she was possibly trying to just make some lighthearted small talk and missed the mark. I had a smear test last week and the nurse referred to me having a small cervix and called it him ("where is he, oh there he is, very small!"). It was weird. But I assume she finds chatting away helps some women relax.

Peachtoiletpaper · 02/06/2023 22:06

First comment absolutely fine. It was letting you know what to expect and why.

Second unnecessary not very professional. Sometimes it is necessary to make 'personal' comments to patients regarding weight or habits, but this wasn't really one of those times. Try not to take it to heart but I think she shouldn't have said it.

Hannahsbananas · 02/06/2023 22:06

Sounds fairly unnecessary to me, even as a joke.

Gtsr443 · 02/06/2023 22:11

Nah. It's all about intention. Don't be so sensitive.
Hoiking women's boobs into those machines all day every day is a miserable job.

Hannahsbananas · 02/06/2023 22:15

Gtsr443 · 02/06/2023 22:11

Nah. It's all about intention. Don't be so sensitive.
Hoiking women's boobs into those machines all day every day is a miserable job.

No need to make it more entertaining at someone else’s expense 🤷🏻‍♀️

Hankunamatata · 02/06/2023 22:16

Weight comment was rude and unprofessional. Perhps she was weirdly tryong to be light hearted to set you at ease and missed mark by miles

Busybutbored · 02/06/2023 22:18

I think you should lighten up a bit, she was probably trying to make you feel more relaxed

Startyabastard · 02/06/2023 22:24

Peachtoiletpaper · 02/06/2023 22:06

First comment absolutely fine. It was letting you know what to expect and why.

Second unnecessary not very professional. Sometimes it is necessary to make 'personal' comments to patients regarding weight or habits, but this wasn't really one of those times. Try not to take it to heart but I think she shouldn't have said it.

My thoughts.

Original poster
HelpMebeok · 02/06/2023 22:26

Thanks. I don't think she said it to be mean. Just a bit blunt. I'm

OP posts:
LizzieSiddal · 02/06/2023 22:27

I agree with PPs.
First comment was fine, the second was not.

Museya15 · 02/06/2023 22:38

That is really rude, I’d never ever speak to a patient like that.

SirenSays · 02/06/2023 22:43

She sounds rude and dim. Of course big boobs are heavy what does she think makes them large, thin air?

wildfirewonder · 02/06/2023 22:46

The second comment was rude and unprofessional.

UsingChangeofName · 02/06/2023 23:17

The first comment was factual. The second was her just trying to help you relax with a bit of chit chat.

Totally agree with @UpaladderwatchingTV in the 2nd reply on this thread.

It must be tiring, analysing everything anyone says to you and looking for something to be upset about.

Hannahsbananas · 02/06/2023 23:19

The second was her just trying to help you relax with a bit of chit chat
That wasn’t chit chat, fgs!

Telepathickitty · 02/06/2023 23:42

I don't think it is professional to make comments like that about someone's body. It's just not needed.

QueefQueen80s · 02/06/2023 23:46

The thing is you're seeing big and heavy boobs as a negative, many strive for them and would see that as a positive.
She shouldn't make personal comments though especially at a time when you're feeling nervous.

continentallentil · 02/06/2023 23:49

Extra photos - fine.

Commenting on weight - not exactly rude, but unprofessional.. and somewhat weird..

I would feedback to the service.

continentallentil · 02/06/2023 23:51

Busybutbored · 02/06/2023 22:18

I think you should lighten up a bit, she was probably trying to make you feel more relaxed

Commenting on the weight of someone’s body part is not going to make them feel relaxed.

AllotmentTime · 02/06/2023 23:54

First comment was good because it’s better to know that the extra photos are to cover the whole area rather than because they’ve found an issue.

Second comment was shitty and if she’s any decency she will have gone home kicking herself for saying it.