To think this was rude (mammogram related)

[HelpMebeok]

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.

But women are allowed to feel sensitive. We don’t need to laugh along as we are treated badly. That’s always how it’s been for women. ‘Stop being so sensitive it’s a joke haha’.

Having a mammogram is unpleasant. It’s invasive. It’s personal. It’s sensitive. It’s even painful.

People working in healthcare need to be sensitive and professional no matter what. we deserve better treatment.

Well said!!!

You're over thinking it in my view. It is actually more difficult to do mammograms on large/heavy breasts which is probably what made her comment. She was just getting on with her job so I wouldn't worry about it.

So what? If she was “just getting on with her job” (and why the hell wouldn’t she?) she’d have done so without comment.
What purpose was served by mentioning this to op, since op could do nothing about it except feel like shit?

Agree with this

When undressed, many people feel vulnerable. That's a time for kindness and compassion, not jokes at the patient's expense

Mammograms are stressful/uncomfortable for most women. As you've just found out. This is very normal :-)

As a veteran of decades, and lots, IME it's usual for the nurses to make some small talk about my breasts to reassure me.

A) that she is expert at handling any and every size and shape of breast
B) its commonplace and normal for some breasts to require some extra photos and if that happens its nothing at all to worry about.

Very unprofessional

It wasn't said in a kindly way.

You might have misinterpreted her saying it in a "completely matter of fact " way to reassure you that everything is completely straighforward.

Not acceptable still.

Exactly. Let the patient make a joke if they are inclined. But the medical professional should not be making those comments.

Oh do F-off. OP was upset, and shocked due to context so said nothing at the time. She came here to hear others experiences. The comments were unprofessional. She is entitled to be upset, even if you wouldn't be.

Or, the nurse was being rude. Which does happen. OP was the person there.

Perhaps it was one of those moments where her inner thoughts became her outer thoughts - or brain to mouth filter failure. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Happens to all of us on occasion.

And most of us apologise when we have done so.

We have to lift your breasts and pull them on-no one wants to have a cancer at the back missed because of a sloppy mammogram. We have to position you right so we’re constantly pushing shoulders back. For sideways, we have to physically lean you in. Then we have to push any belly out of the way. Some women are very rigid or have impaired mobility and it’s a real physical act. No wonder RSIs are common. Some breasts are very heavy-hence sore wrists and shoulders. We deal with women in wheelchairs-trying to position a large lady in a chair so that we get a good mammogram is quite a physical challenge. And we do all this with kindness and compassion-it’s a very intimate role. But maybe this radiographer was exhausted-in some areas we work in, the majority of women you see are larger or not mobile so you walk out feeling drained. We know how important getting a good mammogram is so we do our best-sometimes at the detriment of our own health.

Very rude and very unprofessional

By reason of age amd medical history I may have had more mammograms than most MN posters. In hospitals, in mobile clinics, in four counties. I have never, ever, encountered rudeness from a nurse in NHS mammography.

In other specialties, yes. Never in mammography or breast care.

?????

Of course the patient will know if (after the first set) the radiographer decides they need to take additional images. Maybe repositioning the breast or plates.
Breast tissue varies a lot and some breasts are easier to image than others.

It's far better for patients to know in advance, that " More images required" is common and does not imply anything sinister. Otherwise, an anxious first -timer like OP might very well think "OMG, why? They've spotted a lump".

The thing is you're seeing big and heavy boobs as a negative, many strive for them and would see that as a positive.

that was my thought. It's only a criticism if you yourself have the opinion that they are too big.

Fortunate for you. I have only had to attend the breast clinic once, and had to raise a complaint because of inappropriate behaviour and comments. I did receive an apology afterwards. I could well believe this happening.

I never said it was normal small talk - although you could argue that it is in that situation. How on earth some people navigate life is beyond me, when they waste time over analysing every little comment and dwelling on it for hours/days/months.

I’d rather not have my breasts insulted or complimented during a medical procedure.

Really rude and thoughtless. That person probably needs some more training around handling potential stressful and uncomfortable situations.

Is it a compliment or a criticism or just a factual observation?

I had one done a few years ago in the states and the nurse told me i had heavy breasts ( no mention of extra pics or anything else) i laughed it off (as i do most awkward situations) but thought it was pretty rude really, i wouldnt expect them to say , you have small ones, light ones etc! Or if you were a man getting checked out you wouldnt expect personal comments about size 😁 Didnt feel like a compliment, maybe it is relavant to the photos they take, nearly sent in a comment just to let them know that was awkward (particularly when you pay alot over the states for one!) but ended up not, just put it down to being one of those things and hoped i didnt get her again!