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?

@JenniferBooth its really ok. I’ve had two. One was routine- no pain. The other was with a lump which was a cyst and that breast was slightly painful when in the machine but it’s seconds. Really wouldn’t put me off. However i don’t have SEN. If you have then flag it up!! That’s why they ask!

I went for a mammogram at the end of march and was called back within a few days. I had a 3D scan, an ultrasound and a biopsy, all in that same appointment and at the end of it was given a diagnosis of breast cancer. I was advised by the consultant radiographer who arranged the call back that I had been recalled because it was obvious from the initial scan that l had a malignant tumour and the follow up tests and biopsies were to confirm her diagnosis and identify the type, size and stage of the cancer. She was right on all counts.

Exactly, she doesn't have to. Let's hope she's made the right decision for herself and her family.

In didn’t have a gown. Undressed in a cubicle leading straight into the exam room and went in topless. Two radiographers, minimal conversation and a quiet professional attitude towards handling said body parts and adjusting positioning. No complaints whatsoever, just glad that their skill in what they do found a type of breast cancer which is notoriously difficult to identify using mammogram.

I wrote the quote you highlighted and it was based on my own experience of being told l had breast cancer after a mammogram. What’s mind blowing is how you could misinterpret that.

To Rosscameasdoody - I'm glad you were dealt with so quickly and presumably underwent treatment quickly. Was this on the NHS too? My treatment was private and within 2 weeks, so not as good as that even. I hope all is well with you now, and have recovered.

Sorry to be dense, but what do you mean by this?

I'm pretty sure informed consent is required for literally every medical procedure. From vaccines to operations to smear tests to mammograms to breast examinations to any other procedure.

What would make you think you don't need informed consent?

For example this NHS web page says every examination, procedure etc needs appropriate consent and that for consent to be appropriate it must be informed:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/consent-to-treatment/

@Rosscameasdoody I’m genuinely pleased for you that you don’t have any complaints whatsoever surrounding your screening/diagnosis and the attitudes of those caring for you was quietly professional. It’s nice to know we aren’t chasing unicorns in terms of respectful care.

@ everyone else who replied about the gowns. I’m gobsmacked they aren’t provided As routine. Even as a veteran, I’m still learning about this process.

Chin up @YompingJo I hope you’re finding this helpful.

Mine was in a portable lorry thing, and I had to walk about 3 steps from where I took my top off to the machine - a gown would have been overkill there. Obviously in other locations, it might be a totally different arrangement.

For the umpteenth time:

OP KNEW her breasts would be touched to some degree.
OP simply didn't LIKE the way she was touched/handled by the mammographer.

Why is that so hard for people to understand?

Well, yes. Presumably, she has. Since she knows herself and her family better than some random on the internet...

Not misinterpreted at all. I understand totally what you're saying and sorry for your experience.

I also understand what OP is saying and empathise with that. As I'd assume someone who knows how vital mammograms are would, too.

Both feelings are valid - this isn't medical Top Trumps!

I had the same experience. The nurse was a horrible cow, pushing, grabbing and prodding me about without asking or giving any warning. Mind you, I also had a breast ultrasound about 10 years ago, and the sonographer was so unutterably rude I told her to fuck herself and walked out. Eventually, another one was found to continue the appointment, and she was lovely.

What an absolute delight you are! By the sound of your behaviour the sonographer was simply reciprocating the attitude that you gave her. Very classy - not.

This country has actually gone completely mad. The degree of entitlement and complaining is frankly ridiculous. We are so privileged in this country and some bloody ungrateful. And so quick to moan and complain and take offence.

When someone is stripped off with boobs exposed, they are feeling vulnerable.
If the HCP is not doing their job properly ( as in basic human kindness and explaining everything), then @CameltoeParkerBowles was well within her rights to walk out, and I hope she complained.

Vulnerable to what? She's not standing in the middle of a shopping centre.

Well done for standing up for yourself!

Are you for real?
Do you regularly flash your boobs at people?
For the vast majority of women, they only expose their boobs to their partner. So to get them out for someone else makes them feel exposed and vulnerable. Breasts are an intimate part of the female body.

My impression is that all the health workers who have contributed have sympathised with the OP, and said that courtesy, explanation, consent and kindness is compulsory. It is some of her fellow customers who seem to think the NHS should be run like a cattle market.

Op there are some bloody horrible responses on this thread.

I am ND, as is my DH and my DD, and I don’t actually see this as a SEN issue or not - just a basic human issue! No-one should need to request an adjustment to be spoken to politely!

regardless of how much research you may or may not have done into the process, etc. the way in which you describe being spoken would not have been covered! And I don’t blame you for questioning whether that was usual.

Yes, mammograms can be very painful for some women, and yes, your boobs are out, and need to be manipulated to get the best possible image - no one needs to be a twat about it though, and it wouldn’t have taken that much longer to say “I need you to do x” or “just turning you round/tucking this in/moving that there” etc. they are basic courtesies and should be part of how they speak to any patient.

In fact, if anything if there are videos etc online the people in them are probably going out of their way to make the process as respectful as possible. Because it’s so important for these screenings to take place, they wouldn’t want to put people off!

its one thing to go in with a limited expectation/understanding and question whether what happened to you was “usual”, but if you’d done load of research and were expecting a lovely, kind radiographer who was a gentle as possible etc, and then got what you got - I think that would have been even worse, if you see what I mean.

im glad you have given feedback. Maybe that person was having a difficult day/it was out of character, but if not, then I hope they are given your feedback and encourage to change their approach.

I've had many and had one a couple of days ago. Each time she positioned my breast she asked if it was okay likewise the rest of my body positioning. It doesn't sound like your medical person had much of a bedside manner and was insensitive. Sorry this happened to you. Please Don let it put you off next time. It's a necessary procedure.

She went for her very first mammogram. I have had more than 10 and would have been left stunned by that treatment.

How could she know what to expect? She'd never had a mammogram, and so she doesn't know there can be different levels of deftness, kindness, and care from the radiographer. As with smears, there is a degree of unpleasantness and pain that is not related to the procedure itself, but to operator error - or in this instance a distinct lack of care emanating from the operator.

At my last mammogram, the radiographer was so warm and friendly and kind, and as she repositioned my flesh said why she was doing it. If that was a first mammo, it would have been ideal for the OP.

@daisychain01 misandry is not a real thing, HTH.

OP, no you don't have to be grateful and accept any kind or rude treatment in exchange for the privilege of a mammogram, as has been suggested. We can acknowledge our healthcare privilege without requesting women accept bad care in silence.

@BigAnne hard of thinking?