Morrisons breast screening

[AnotherWeasel]

Is is unreasonable of me to feel so offended by the idea of breast screening in Morrisons car park?

I'm 52 and just received an appointment that I wasn't consulted about. I just hate the idea of it. This is my local Morrisons, where I shop, where I frequently run into my awful ex-boyfriend, my estranged mother, the work colleague who sexually harrassed me 10 years ago, friends, neighbours, my postie etc, etc. And there I am, waiting beside the enormous van, emblazoned with bright breast screening decals, clearly about to strip off and have my breasts squished and examined. It all seems so undignified and makes me feel vulnerable and powerless.

Obviously, as a mum I've had to have all my bits on display and poked about with, and again I do think we are generally treated like objects or at least like we are supposed to be mature and sensible and absolutely fine with any sort of indignity that is imposed on us in the name of good sense. But at least that was in a hospital.

Yes, I am a grown woman and absolutely can put on my big girl pants and just do it for my own good. But I really feel quite oppositional to doing that. I feel like women are expected to just be ok about decisions others make about our bodies and that our dignity and privacy isn't important. It seems so disprespectful to us. I can't imagine men being invited to a prostate exam in a van in a supermarket carpark. I feel that, out of principal I don't want to do it, because the more women say 'that's ok, I can put up with a little indignity' the more other women feel pressured into a situation they really aren't happy about. Already, I feel that if I refuse this and ask for a more private screening, I would be seen as being difficult, silly even, and asking for special treatment. And I don't want special treatment, I want all women to be treated with due respect and consideration when accessing intimate medical care.

To be fair, I am a very private and anxious person, and I do have a problematic sexual history. So, I guess I may be influenced by this. Certainly, I am quite surprised there doesn't seem to be any women complaining about it. And I wonder, is it because most of us don't give a hoot, or are there many, many women just quietly missing out on screening services rather than make a fuss.

I have moved from an area where I had a mammogram in a mobile unit to one where I go to a clinic. The mobile unit is far more efficient and I never waited more than five minutes. My first appointment at the clinic was cancelled on the morning of my appointment, and they tried to cancel my second appointment but I was already on my way. I ended up waiting over 45 minutes to be seen.

Discussion on social media isn’t pointless.

Complaining about something is. Unless you’re complaining directly to the service provider.

You also posted this on AIBU. So do you want people to advise you whether they think you’re being unreasonable or not?

If you started your post with “I had this experience today and felt X way, I’d like to discuss” maybe you’d start the type of discussion you were aiming for.

What exactly do you think people are going to think of you? "Eugh look at her, being all sensible about her health" I highly doubt that.

Christ @AnotherWeasel you say This is my local Morrisons, where I shop, where I frequently run into my awful ex-boyfriend, my estranged mother, the work colleague who sexually harassed me 10 years ago, friends, neighbours, my postie etc, etc

Why don't you shop somewhere else?????

Why wouldn't I?

You do know there's not a window where everyone can see your boobs?

You're massively over thinking this.

We are so incredibly fortunate to have breast screening in our country. Parking in a supermarket is an ideal place for many women who have to use public transport as I'm sure it'll be on a bus route. If you feel so strongly about not attending, get in touch with your health board and ask for an appointment at a clinic or Hospital.

i work for the Breast Screening Service. The mobile units aren’t just put there randomly to antagonise. They are placed where we have permission from local council etc, parking facilities, electricity for the unit and public toilets for staff etc. It is a free service and we are absolutely on our knees at the moment with a national shortage of mammographers so these appointments are like hen’s teeth.

The bigger picture is that this is a screening programme to save lives.

I recently went to a mobile unit in a car park of a health centre. They sent a picture so I would know where to find it. It was easy to park and they saw me bang on time and they had a really efficient system to check me in etc. over and done with really quickly and professionally. I recommend it.

I don't know why you wouldn't, but you don't appear to be listening

You’re not just being unreasonable. You’re actually being ridiculous.

Oh get a grip

It’s not really private medical business though, it’s a standard thing offered to all women over 50. Very different to eg being seen going into a clinic when being treated for cancer, or even someone seeing you at a pharmacy counter.

I was screened at an inconvenient place, at an inconvenient time, on an inconvenient date. I hate all of it for lots of reasons.

My TNBC was detected v early, and has hopefully been effectively treated. And I hated all that for another load of reasons

It’s not a fun activity

I'm really sorry you’ve had such trauma.

My advice: accept the screening with as much grace as you can muster

You do a great job and I’m sure most women massively appreciate having the opportunity to have a screening. I know I definitely do very much.

My cancer was found by a mammogram in Asda carpark. The location doesn't matter. The process does.

Absolutely agree. You do an amazing job @Henbags .....and thank you

I don't really know why you have assumed I don't accept anything anyone says? Yes, I don't particularly enjoy sarcy comments about the way I feel, but am certainly taking on board the genuinely helpful comments.

I wouldn't like it either OP.

I live miles away from a hospital, think 1.5 hours on a bus. Thank God the mobile screening unit comes to Morrisons!

People have targeted lung checks in supermarket carparks and other convenient locales. These arrangements help with take-up amongst people who would not otherwise find it straightforward to attend.

www.england.nhs.uk/south/2024/11/13/hundreds-of-cancers-caught-early-in-the-south-west-through-nhs-lung-checks/#:~:text=Using%20a%20mix%20of%20hospital,for%20current%20and%20past%20smokers.

You need to look for one in a Waitrose car oark

I hasten to add that I am not a mammographer myself so cannot take any actual credit, but I work in the main breast screening office where all the administrative work is done to ensure women get their results and data etc - I can sincerely say that all the people involved in the programme work very hard to ensure women get the care they need.

I had a similar invitation - except it was in the car park of a family centre not accessible to me by public transport.

I would not be comfortable with having a mammogram in a van in a supermarket carpark, for a whole range of reasons to do with my own medical history. I'm neurodiverse and would find it too difficult to transition between the very private and the very public spaces. I'd rather wait ages. And be able to wait quietly after. I also see why other people think its handy and normalises it.

Options would be great.

I had an MRI in a car park. Not the actual car park. The bizarre thing was you went in to a building, where the reception was then they came and got you and basically walked you out if the building, round the side of it and into a van in the car park. I was virtually back at my car. There wasn't a waiting area inside, just the machine. So if you were a bit sprightly on your yomp you had to wait outside. I didn't mind but OP you don't have to go there if you don't want. If you prefer to go to a hospital I'm sure you can. I think that medical things do involve a lot of indignity and if you want to feel more comfy ask for a different venue.