To have found my first mammogram really upsetting?

[YompingJo]

Got a letter through with very basic details if an appointment. Turned up and found the whole thing demeaning. Tiny room, intimidating machine taking up most of it. The radiologist was monosyllabic and bossy and manhandled me into the right position including grabbing each breast and shoving it into position, pushing other bits of my body out of the way, not once asking first. I know it's a necessary procedure, but a bit of sensitivity would have gone a long way, and having the respect to ask for consent before grabbing a breast is a basic consideration. I'm autistic and needed to know much more what to expect beforehand. The letter gave a way to request assistance in the case of SEN, but I don't consider myself to have SEN and didn't know what I'd need until I was right there, so that wasn't any help. There was a QR code for feedback, which I gave but I just feel... invaded and demeaned. AIBU?

Whilst I agree that we are fortunate in the Uk, that doesn't excuse the behaviour of the mammographer doing the examination. I've worked in breast screening and had mammograms myself, none of that is ok.

OP, write to PALS and tell them how unprofessional the mammographer was, and how upsetting you found it.

There are so many people here who lack the empathy to realise that, for many women, going for intimate examinations requires literally ALL their courage. To be told to do something they didn't realise they would have to do, it's too much. Their well has already run dry just from getting to the appointment and removing their clothes - it makes you feel you are intensely vulnerable situation.

Why is this so very hard to understand just because it doesn't bother you?

@YompingJo I’m sorry that you weren’t treated in a sensitive way at your mammogram.

At my first one I was also shocked at just how much I was pulled around and handled. I forgot to tell the radiographer that I had a small painless spot/cyst in one of my armpits and it unexpectedly came off and squished into the plate of the machine! When it happened I thought it was quite funny, but the radiographer was definitely not amused

Mammograms are uncomfortable and I wouldn't exactly call it manhandling as the clinician has to make sure that they capture everything and to do that they have to move you into the correct position.

I think when you have your next one you should let them know about your autism and that you'd appreciate a little forewarning of when they need to be hands on

Finding out you have breast cancer is a whole lot worse trust me!
They must grab your breasts into the machine so you are in the correct position.
stop being a baby.

That's a terrible thing to say. How awful.

I don't see why that's a terrible thing to say at all. Maybe having gone through breast cancer gives you a slightly different perspective on things like mammograms and people prodding your breasts.

I had DCIS. I've had a fucking mastectomy.

It is an awful thing to say.

Usually the woman radiographer is pleasant and polite. Pushing bits of you comes with the territory, I am afraid.

@Americano75 I had three tumours and a mastectomy too. I don't think it's an awful thing to say at all.

This sounds exactly like my own experience. Just horrible. I've never been back since.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

@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?

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.

@aerkfjherf you are fucking joking right?!?!

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.

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.

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 😢

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.