Rough mammogram technician

[caketherapy]

Just wondering how normal this is?
had my 1st one today. I hadn’t thought much about it. But the woman doing it was really abrupt personally. I felt and said I was nervous going into room, she just said ‘go then’ No reassurance. Very rushed - whole thing lasted like 6 minutes! She was running 15 mins late and it was late in day.
and she really grabbed/squeezed my breasts! I get the machine has to come down hard and that I expected but her pushing my shoulders and squeezing and grabbing my breasts - I feel a bit brutalised!
im not high risk for breast cancer I don’t plan on going through that again. I don’t want to be treated like that.
is it typical? For someone to treat you like a slab of meat? And be that rough?

Hi. I agree. It's just horrible. My breasts hurt for a couple of days afterwards and felt so bruise. The second time I went I mentioned it had been painful before, and like you, the radiographer said "well you don't have to have it done, you can leave". I want complaining, just commenting.

Sounds like some people have had bad experiences. I've had several and have always found the radiographers professional and efficient. They've explained what they're doing but there's no small talk, I honestly don't think they have time. I go to a mobile unit that comes to my area and from the stream of women coming and going I can see that they're chocka with appointments back to back. I guess realistically with the equipment and specialised staff they need, they just need to get though large numbers of people quite quickly. But as I say, I've never had anything other than efficiency. It is a really uncomfortable process though, no two ways about it

It’s not related to your question. But I just wanted to point out that the mammogram was performed by a radiographer or mammographer. Not a technician (nor a nurse, as someone else up thread said)

:)

I had an ultrasound too, after the mamogram results came back and I needed further checks, and tbh I'd opt for a mamogram if it was a choice. Quicker, actually felt less intrusive, they also press quite hard, don't chat during it as concentrating again and use a ridiculous amount of gel that is impossible to remove with the paper towels they give you after.

The mamogram can be uncomfortable when it presses down but it is only a few seconds then they release it, that is why they spent time manipulating you so they only have to do it once quickly. Also much less intrusive and uncomfortable compared to a smear.

I had my second one recently and was not looking forward as I remember being shocked how unpleasant it was the first time.

It's better once you know what to expect imo, I also noticed this time that they had a poster on the wall explaining that it will be uncomfortable but they need to manipulate you into the best position.

It is the mammogram technique that is rough, don't blame the technician.

I had one very recently and the woman radiographer was warm and kind, whilst being professional and thorough. It's mildly embarrassing having your breasts manipulated into the right position and it does hurt a little bit but it is worth having done.
My Mum died of breast cancer and several of my friends have had it and are now well following treatment.

My breast cancer was picked up by mammogram so if they want to manhandle me
they have my permission. Wait until you have a biopsy.
Yes it's uncomfortable yes it hurts yes it's embarrassing but I'd rather have this
than die young.
I'm sure a man designed this machine.

Ive had several, my Mum had breast cancer, twice, one on each breast.
There are male radiographers too where I live, which personally I find harder to deal with.
The level of being "manhandled" depends on the technician, & goes from unpleasant to very unpleasant, the squashing is horrid, but short & soon to be forgotten, unlike breastrcancer which is found in 1 in 3 women.
Look around you girls, look at your close friendship group, I in 3 are statistically going to get breast cancer, you included.
So yes it is brutal & unpleasant, & yes it can save your life

It's only marginally better. They prevent hardly any deaths from breast cancer.

I meant to add ....
That isn't the choice: mammogram or treatment....

A mammogram leads to treatment if cancer is found ... and also to unnecessary treatment where cancer is suspected or a slow growing cancer that would never cause a problem is seen. So your odds of unnecessary treatment are much higher with mammogram. Up to 20% of the people on this thread talking about their treatment were unnecessarily treated.

The stats around benefits/ lives saved are very controversial for being over-stated. Lots of reports out there. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/dec/11/breast-screening-worth-having-cancer

Getting a bruised boob is much preferable to the mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy I've had in the last 12 months. Plus full hair loss, now thankfully growing back.

My anniversary of them spotting a lump is tomorrow. My mammogram was delayed because of Covid. Please don't delay for fear of a bit of discomfort. The alternative is not fun. 🙁

Only another 4 years before they'll give me the all clear.

I had a particularly awful one last time, I could tell I my feet were in the wrong position by a tiny amount which made it worse as it was pinching, I was on the verge of fainting with the pain. I said so and the technician was really rude, saying well if you can’t take it you can go and we’ll take your name off the list. I managed to get through it, but I had bruises which I’ve never had before.
if men are allowed to do it I won’t be going.

I hope your treatment goes well and your remission continues.

A mammogram would not prevent cancer from occurring. It is not a vaccine. It doesn't alter the treatment given once cancer is detected, either via mammogram or physical signs.

Thanks.

A regular mammogram means lumps are found sooner and can be treated earlier, hopefully before spread to the lymph glands, possibly avoiding the need for mastectomy or chemo. So it does alter the treatment hugely.

Delaying a scan is very risky.

This perhaps used to be true but most treatment options and outcomes are more or less the same now, with treatments improving massively fairly recently, tamoxifem for example. That's why the medical profession now openly discusses whether the emphasis on screening and early treatment is worth the downsides.

@Irridescantshimmmer

Mine have never been painful.

I'm finding this depressing as it's adding weight to my speculation that many tests and procedures in the NHS are more painful than those conducted privately for a variety of reasons - more modern equipment, staff with more time and social skills etc.
I am lucky enough to get free mammograms privately through my work health insurance. I was worried before my first one as I'd heard that those with little boobs and tender menopausal breasts could suffer. I have had a couple more since then and they have been virtually painless. The nurse takes ages positioning me, moving me gently each time and I believe the equipment is the most modern available.

Ive been sent an appointment for 1st one
Ill give it a go but i will state to the nurse if any issues arise then i wont be attending again.