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?

There were 20 women waiting at the clinic when I went for my mammogram. SE London and the NHS is overloaded. The radiographer didn't ask my consent before grabbing my breast,but personally I am fine with that, given how busy she was. It wasn't fun, but I wasn't expecting it to be fun, and I feel lucky to get it.

I'm autistic and needed to know much more what to expect beforehand

So what research did you do, and what did you discover ?

As PP said, a very quick Google shows you the type of room and machine

If you need more info than that, ask. Check up. Question

If you're autistic go down the ""I'm SEN" route, which will then highlight to the medics that you need extra information

@Onetiredbeing she knows what the procedure involved.

This post is not about that - see the above

This.

How did you expect them to do a mammogram without touching your breasts? (Genuine question) or did you think it was like a chest xray?

Don't let it if put you off going again, it can be a life saver - literally. (From one who's mother died of breast cancer)

Breast scans are uncomfortable and not enjoyable but I am so grateful to have them, for free, on a regular basis. It is a privilege in this ever more broken country.

With two friends having treatment for breast cancer at the moment and a history of it in my family, the attitude of the practitioner is the least of my worries.

I appreciate others may feel differently and I am sure the NHS accept feedback.

Hi! A mammographer (radiographer) here
I do think some patients are surprised by the handling and brusqueness of a mammogram. I can understand why and it probably does come down to expectations of the procedure.

For a first time patient, I will always spend more time going through the procedure before asking to remove clothes, just to make it clear what to expect . It really does get a better image if I get the patient more relaxed.

There's usually 3-5 min appointment slots for each patient so we're always in a hurry! You can request a longer appointment next time and then hopefully a less rushed mammogram. Please don't be deterred, your next experience might be much better.

You can be grateful for the nhs but expect kindness.
I had my first mammogram last year and the lady was v unpleasant and although I went in expecting to be manhandled a bit I did not expect to be treated coldly. I've never had that with for example a smear test.

you were right to complain op, sorry this happened to you .

I do think your experience depends very much on the social skills of the radiographer. It's never nice but the staff are the memorable parts of it as they make such a difference.

I've had three in total, one recently. The first one was similar to yours, the radiographer was less warm and friendly than the subsequent HCPs and worse, she started sentences then trailed off and looked at me expectantly. Well, sometimes I can extrapolate but not always and I just looked at her blankly. She sighed heavily and waffled a lot, and I felt very awkward and ill at ease. The second time - having learned my lesson! - I said to the nurse that I am autistic and need short, clear instructions. She was great and sympathetic, this made a huge difference to how it went.

Third time I didn't need to say anything, they may have put it in my notes (makes sense). It was still stressful because of the half-nakedness and putting the girls into a sandwich press, but otherwise it was fine.

I do think you should say something next time, when you arrive. The letter says about learning difficulties which I didn't feel I have, but it seems to be worthwhile mentioning the autism as it did change the manner the staff used.

I think perspective is needed.
I'm sorry you feel this way about your appointment but being uncomfortable for life saving screening, is just how it is.

@YompingJo I think the thing here is OP that almost every single neuro typical women does feel apprehensive the first time. Most seek some reassurance from internet, friends or the mammogram staff. They are then mentally prepared for something that may feel uncomfortable and awkward/embarassing (to themselves).
I suspect the operator did say something like “let’s get you all lined up then” or similar. They won’t have done it without telling you but I believe you didn’t recognise the significance of what may have seemed to you a throwaway comment.
In future please inform yourself beforehand, preferably by asking real people. Especially any exams of an intimate nature.

I don't think you can complain about the tiny room and the intimidating machine, really.

I've only had one, last year, but it was ok. It was uncomfortable and made worse by having a very painful shoulder issue. I warned the person doing it about that on arrival.

I also googled what would happen beforehand as I wasn't really sure. I wanted to be a bit forewarned, especially due to the shoulder issue.

When I entered the room I was told what would happen and how, and that the person doing it would need to manoeuvre my body around a bit and touch me to get the right position. I did reiterate the shoulder issue which they took into account as best they could.

Whole thing took less than 5 minutes and - whilst it's not something I'd choose to do if I didn't have to and it was painful at times - it wasn't too bad. I was a little bruised/sore after but I don't think there is a way round it due to the nature of the scans.

I get it OP, I had a mammogram as a teen and it was so awful. I would say none of the behaviour was out of the ordinary but it’s just not a nice experience and the radiographers wasn’t personable she was just focused on getting the images and that’s it.

as a patient I was mostly afterthought

I’ve had two and both radiologists have been sensitive.
You should have stated that you are autistic- they gave you the option to declare.

It sounds like an autistic perspective on a mammogram . You are 'manhandled' into position because that's the nature of the scan.

It isn't nice but it's over with quickly .

You really should have said you are autistic ( my dd is and she would freak out)

I have family history so I have then yearly and although they have differed with different women they are all the same overall .

In some ways the radiographer being focussed on getting image like a clinical professional rather than being overly personal is helpful

Perhaps the radiologist is autistic too and was focused on doing the scan accurately.

You lost me at intimidating machine. Get a grip.

I would have thought so, yes. I have a history of having benign cysts in my breasts, which have to be monitored carefully, so I would rather my very busy and stressed radiographer focuses on that than be warm and pleasant.

@underscorer First, we pay for the service via our taxes; it's not "luck"

Nope. There are many other countries that collect taxes from citizens and don’t offer this as a government funded service so that’s not a strong argument. It is indeed a privilege.

For example, where I am we have free chickenpox vaccine series for every child, not like the UK where it’s only free if you meet the NHS ‘at risk’ criteria. I could blather on and say ‘it’s our right, we pay taxes, we shouldn’t be grateful for it’, but that’s silly. We also have free mammograms over a certain age, but again not all countries (talking about developed countries with tax systems) do, so I am also grateful for this. There’s a lot of entitlement when it comes to healthcare when you are just used to getting things for free on the basis ‘I pay tax’.

To be fair to OP it was a bit of a shock for my first one too! I had no idea how much one is manhandled during it. I'll find the next one easier as I'll know what to expect.

How patronising. The person carrying out the procedure should have used their words. When dealing with members of the public in a vulnerable position, the onus should be on them to put people at their ease as much as possible and to explain what’s happening. They would have been fully aware that this was the op’s first mammogram. Consent is a big deal, and I have always felt that staff have gone out of their way during medical procedures to make sure I’m ok with what’s happening, even though I do know why I’m there! YANBU to have expected more consideration, op.

Yes but knowing you are autistic and that it’s related to an intimate part of the body you should certainly precheck what’s involved.

OP, I have very large breasts and it's always been painful having a mammogram. On Friday I had a private one as I needed it urgently and there was a long wait for the NHS. It cost £140. I was amazed because for the first time it didn't hurt at all. The radiographer was so lovely and kind. I'm going to pay in future. I had the result in minutes too.

OP it sounds like the radiographer was just following instructions for getting a good set of images and found it difficult to follow the social rules in such a situation. Perhaps she is ND too.