AIBU to expect a gown and privacy during an early mammogram?

[Cranberry2020]

Today I attended for my first mammogram under the screening age due to family history.
i was called and the radiographer didn’t introduce herself. Inside the room she just asked me to undress to waist and started asking me questions. I wasn’t offered a gown etc and I got down to bra and felt cold. I requested a gown for dignity and she said they don’t have them here. That’s the machine is only over there. I felt uncomfortable and tried to ask again. She denied one. She then said she needed to get someone else in and went and got the receptionist who was an older lady. The radiographer then gaslit me by telling the receptionist how unreasonable I was asking for a gown etc. that the receptionist had to hear two sides but then didn’t let me speak. I was still in my bra and now the door to the corridor was open. The receptionist told me if I’d wanted a gown I should have mentioned it earlier. I left the wrong way and came back and heard they were still talking about me negatively. I then found a nurse and explained by now generally upset. The consultant appeared and said that it’s down to perceived communication which I couldn’t accept completely as I really asked nicely for a gown and explained why. She also said that if I left now I’d have to ‘wait a long time for another one’. I’ve been left reeling. I have other long term conditions and do have some medical PTSD. I’ve had lots of healthcare interactions including a recent internal gynae scan yet I felt fully cared for and treated with dignity and respect. AIBU? Thanks

To provide clean gowns for everyone would be a massive drain on the NHS esp as they are barely used for a few mins. My health authority asks you wear a cardi or button up shirt to the apt which you wear while you move from the changing room to the machine

I think you’re being a bit precious about this. It’s a body part, it’s just breasts. Gosh have you never had a smear, you have to show someone your vagina!

I honestly could never get worked up about this gown or no gown stuff

No, you really can’t. Let the expert do her job. I think you’re making a bit of a fuss. It’s quite normal to be left alone in the radiography room to strip to the waist and, remove jewellery (my breast clinic asks you not to use deodorant before a mammogram). Then the lovely expert radiographer comes in and positions you. You can’t be hiding a bra while being photographed.

You definitely need to complain. I was unhappy with my first one as there were two radiographers- both female- and one of them stared at me and made me very uncomfortable.
I requested that I didn't get the same people doing my second one and luckily the second and third ones have been fine.
I don't care how underfunded the NHS is, any behaviour that makes patients uncomfortable needs calling out.
I've never had one single issue with smears.

I wasn’t left in the room to strip. She was watching the whole time. I felt uncomfortable. I don’t think it’s unreasonable.

It's irrelevant that some people would have had no issues @Cranberry2020 felt awkward and it was handled poorly by the practitioner.

You were not being precious, you must have felt vulnerable when just a few reassuring words could have put you more at ease. 🌻

Since COVID I haven’t been offered a gown, have had a few mammograms for suspect lumps. Some mammogram units you go from cubicle to room with mammogram machine. But others I have had to sit in corridors whilst waiting for each part of the process eg mammogram, seeing consultant, cysts being emptied. Always take a top I can slip on and off easily (once I have removed my bra)

I’ve had lots of smears with no issue I’ve always been treated with dignity. And lots of internal scans too (had IVF…) and again no issue. It’s not what’s done it’s that I felt treated without respect

"I don't care how underfunded the NHS is, any behaviour that makes patients uncomfortable needs calling out"

I completely agree with you @70sGreenGoblin

Sorry you felt uncomfortable but it did not seem you had an unusual experience. I have now been for a few mammograms. Having your boobs out really isn’t all that but I understand that is my opinion only. Last time they found something out of the ordinary and I ended up with a biopsy thank goodness it ended up benign but I am willing to give up a little dignity to make sure things are flagged and dealt with quickly.

Yes. This. The radiographers work very quickly and that is why you are in and out very quickly.

Yeah I think I’d cope with this but I had to undress in front of her with no privacy. It felt wrong to me anyway

No, as a health worker I feel sad for you.

I'm surprised you stayed and just didn't get dressed and walked out. Definitely complain via PALS. I doesn't sound like you were treated with dignity, privacy and respect.

You're going to be topless anyway so what difference does it make?

I’m really sorry you experienced this. I’m a retired mammographers and would never go through all the necessary questions while the woman was undressed. It was my job to put them at ease.

However, gowns are a nuisance. It’s really important to position your breast correctly and to get a clear picture. Gowns don’t work. They can fall forward and cause an artefact-which on a mammogram you don’t want. Who wants to be recalled because something g is on the mammogram that shouldn’t be but the woman has to be called in to check to make sure? They also get in the way when positioning a breast. I used to use anatomical landmarks to make sure my patient was standing correctly and was in the right position. I couldn’t check that with a gown. So my pinion-and I was a mammographer for many years-is that gowns are not good for the quality of a mammogram.

They were insensitive and unkind and did not reslect your needs of offer adjustments to help you engage.

Please complain.

Yes, exactly the same for me. I've had breast cancer, so have had quite a few.

Thanks for replying. I appreciate that. I just wanted one whilst she was asking me all these questions and for the walk to the machine. I’d then have removed it no issue. It was just how I felt. I think though because of the attitude and then the receptionist being invited in too it went from bad to worse…

I don’t think I need to answer that

Thanks @Arregaithel - I was born of the generation who don't tend to question medics but the number of rude,offhand medical staff I've encountered is proportionally very high,considering I rarely need medical assistance/appointments.
I've held down 3 of the most stressful jobs known to man and I've always dealt with service users respectfully.

the difference is; whilst you may not be bothered, @Cranberry2020 felt uncomfortable!

That's a yes then.

Nobody should be watching you undress, no.

Totally can confirm this when I needed the biopsy I had a gown on in the waiting room but needed to remove it to allow them to get the exact area on the ultrasound to get the biopsy because gowns can interfere with the outcome