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 think those who are very much against the idea of mobile clinics are imagining they're nothing more than a portakabin or caravan. They're fully-equipped, warm, light and comfortable, just like stepping into a clinic in a permanent building. Have a google for images and videos of what they're like, you'll probably be surprised at how it is in reality.

I wish my appointment was in Morrisons car park as I could just about walk there.
My last appointment I did ask if there somewhere more more local (ie the local council car park where I had been before). The woman told me they no longer had the van so had to go to the hospital.
Turned up and was directed to the rear of the hospital - to the van.
Also annoying about the appointment system - ours has the attitude of this is your appointment take it or don't bother. We may be over 50 but most of us still have work commitments - would be different if it was a hospital appointment for an illness but even those can be changed

I hate hospitals, and as a rule am keen to avoid places full of sick and distressed people. Had my first mammogram in a mobile unit behind a big Tesco last week and it was great - accessible, free parking, lovely staff and I justified going and spending £70 in Homesense next door afterwards as my reward to myself for being a responsible adult. Don't see what's so bad about bringing healthcare to where people are.

@fiftiesmum yes in many hospital certain departments/facilities are essentially these mobile buildings parked on the hospital grounds.
It doesn't matter where they are parked - it's exactly the same facilities.

They had this on Asda car park recently - far side away from the store. I thought it was a brilliant idea - ample parking and easily accessible by bus. My last breast screening was at hospital - parking there is a nightmare and bus no longer runs on direct route from where I live so now would have to get a bus into town and another to the hospital. So a 10/15 minute appointment would take all afternoon.

Here's a video. I honestly don't understand why anyone would think that the environment is disrespectful. To be honest it's smarter and more comfortable than my hospital's outpatients waiting room. And more private in that I've always had the waiting area in the van to myself, instead of sharing it with 30 other people!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1G3hK9PX7n/

My dad went for a 'well-man' check up (including prostate check) and aortic aneurysm screening in the back of a lorry parked in a supermarket carpark. It was local, great parking, and the consultation rooms as private as in a hospital.

I fail to see the issue here.

Sorry for a quick, possible derail, but how long do you get given for each CT appointment?

We don't have these yet where I am; I think it would be an ideal 'last couple of years' radiography job!

As you were!

Agree, it's odd that they send out appointments for people who haven't asked for one.

To be fair though, they admit they can recall you and it never would have turned into cancer.
They list the pros and cons in the booklet they send out.
Was reading alot more younger women get breast cancer now and it's very aggressive. It's not just an Over 50s thing

@PassingStranger because for many women it wouldn't occur to them to book a screening test. This method means everyone entitled to the test gets one.

It's routine. When you reach 60 you will be sent a bowel cancer screening kit. At 65, at my GP surgery anyway, you will be offered regular routine blood tests for diabetes, high cholesterol etc. None of it is compulsory but I, for one, am very grateful for it. I am too old for any more routine mammograms but will be requesting one.

I had a mammogram in an Asda car park , I was just relieved to get it done .

What's odd about it? The earlier you catch cancers, the better the outcomes.

It's out in the community, not a crazy rush for parking, easy to find no getting lost in hospital corridors.

If you don't like that particular morissons or mobile units in general decline the appointment and someone else will be glad of the chance for breast screening.

NHS is trying out the value of distributing these earlier. In my local area, they send these out from the age of 50 although the initial age has now been brought down to 54 more generally.

Who bowel screening is for
Bowel cancer screening is offered to everyone aged 54 to 74 every 2 years. It will soon be available for everyone aged 50 to 74 years old, so you may be sent a home test kit now if you’re aged 50 or over.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/

OP, did you get a letter? Mine latest letter says that if I need to change the appointment location/date/time to ring or email.

When I did this, because the date offered was not convenient, I also asked about alternative locations and access as I was curious, and was told that I could have one at the hospital if I wanted.

As it happens I am one of many who prefer the convenience of a large car park (no waiting around, unlike hospitals), but the hospital option is available if you ask.

Btw the 'van' is a large mobile unit tucked well out the way of any entrances and exits. It is very quiet and I have only ever encountered one other woman in or around the unit, plus the very efficient female screening staff. No males are permitted.

I'm going against the grain here and am actually going to agree with you somewhat.

On the surface I think getting your breasts screened is essential. However I can see your point about a supermarket carpark. I think it speaks volumes that a private appointment for a routine scan isn't the 1st available option. On the other hand with the NHS being the way it is I can understand that ANY available option is being used.

I'm probably mostly on the fence here; I feel women should be able to access breast screening with ease and whilst I would have no problem with being screened in a car park I can see why many wouldn't.

It's a really tough one in my opinion. Womens health always seems to be second class, and whilst I'm sure this is per say a perfectly reasonable option I can see your point.

Sorry that isn't the most coherent of responses, I'm struggling with how to word it better. We get an appointment for cervical screening and I think there could maybe be a better 1st option.

@PinotDragon what do you mean by it's not a private appointment?
It's in a private building (just one that's is portable) - no different to a health clinic or hospital.

Sorry I meant as you would go to the GP for a cervical screen or a GUM clinic. As I said I don't think I worded my original post brilliantly. I probably posted too soon, I didn't really give myself enough time to really get an answer together, just something about the original post made me agree some with the OP. Not wholly but a part of me mildly agrees is all. Not here to get anyone's back up, just chiming in 😁

@PinotDragon GP Surgeries and Gum Clinics are usually stand alone buildings - not part of a main hospital complex.
A clinic that is held in a "regular" building that is across the road or next door to a supermarket isn't really any different (or more private) to a temporary/portable building that is next to a supermarket and just happens to be within their car park boundary.

Mine was in Tescos car park. I thought it was great, very convenient with no need to travel to a hospital

But it IS a private appointment! You get an appointment through the post (which you can change super easily, much more easily than if you had to phone your GP or the hospital) and the appointment is, as I mentioned in a previous post, more private than one at the surgery or hospital. Because you don't have to sit in a big waiting room. The vans are very sleek and modern inside, and the appointments are so structured and efficient, you probably won't see anyone other than staff.

Every time I've been I've been aware of other voices, but not seen the other people there for the scan. It's so slick. One waiting, one getting changed ready for the test, one being screened, one getting dressed again. Then everyone moves along a stage.

Isn’t it obvious that this is being done because research shows women are much more likely to turn up to one of a few accessible places rather than a few hospital locations? The cost of the equipment and transporting it must be huge. They aren’t doing this because a physical building would be more expensive, they are doing this because it means they can have a dozen convenient temporary locations which encourages uptake!

I hate it when people do this, BUT It took me 25 days to go from gp to hospital scan when I had breast cancer. I would have been jumping for joy if there had been another location I could have used sooner.

They don't ask.if you want one first.