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

It seems experiences differ. I don’t think a gown is necessary. I do think it’s reasonable for people to want to stay clothed till the last possible minute and be able to dress immediately afterwards. Some people are more modest than others, the process should allow for that.

I think you have to accept that gowns are not routinely provided and it may have been an unreasonable request in the circumstances, but you have grounds to complain about the disrespectful way your request was handled. I’m assuming that your behaviour towards the technician and other staff was also fully respectful and not in any way unpleasant or confrontational.

The radiographer was asking questions so wouldn’t be watching her get undressed. They don’t have time to watch patients. I’ve had many mammograms and there is no point to a gown. You’d put it on and then have to take it off straight away. They manhandle your breasts to get them between the plates so the whole thing is so undignified but it is also impersonal. However, there is an argument to be made for the procedure to be explained either in a letter or in person to first time attendees so they know what to expect.

This!!!

I am so sorry this was your experience, and it does illustrate that a poor patient experience will lead to a lack of uptake of a service due to not wanting to have that same experience again.
I hope you do choose to go again for screening, if it was at a GP practice you could contact the practice manager to discuss your concerns and if these are dismissed, there is the option to changing GPs.
I miss the days of Well Women clinics, long gone but they really put the women first.

Only ever been once due to the way I was treated, rude staff, painful procedure and then they came out and told me the images were incomplete even after all the pain and shoving and pushing and I had to go through it all over again so more pain and shoving me around. Horrible experience

I had one my first one last week in a brand new mobile unit in a car park and it was easy, quick and convenient. I preferred the no nonsense attitude of the radiographer, I just turned my back and took my top half off in the same room. It's only breasts and you are there with another woman who has seen it all before. There was no indignity. Though having to walk down a corridor half naked doesn't sound ideal.

Please go. Don’t be put off.
I was diagnosed with early breast cancer from a routine mammogram last July. The tumour was very deep and even the surgeon couldn’t feel it. I’ve had surgery, radiotherapy and now I’m on medication. If I hadn’t been for the mammogram how big would it have got or spread to before I noticed it? It doesn’t bear thinking about.

I’ve had several mammograms and the experience has always been fine.. I am glad to be offered them

@Lifeomarsplease go. See my post at 23.11 on 20/03/26.
i was diagnosed with early breast cancer at a routine mammogram.

It's really not difficult to say 'Hi Mrs X, I'm Sally and I'll be your radiographer today. Did you find us okay?', or etc. I work in healthcare. To me, that is the most basic shit you can do to help care feel person centred and support someone to feel comfortable. It

They may do these scans every single day, and yes, they won't bat an eyelid at seeing boobs. But the public don't have these scans everyday. A lot of women will feel exposed and vulnerable, and that's before you consider the reasons people may be having these scans, or people's personal history (e.g. women with sexual trauma, medical trauma, and so on).

It's not about the gown. It's about healthcare staff not taking 30 seconds of their day to reassure you, and then being rude by talking about you. Sorry but if you've chosen a job in healthcare, a fundamental to pretty much every role is putting people at ease and treating people with respect and dignity.

I think the thing to take away from this visit is that you need to wear something that you can wear until the radiographer is ready to begin. A big shirt or cardigan. You can strip off and quickly put it on.
When you attend next time explain to the radiographer that you are uncomfortable with being topless until they are ready to start.
Ask if it’s ok for her to leave while you change.

I have lots of nervous patients ( dentist) and many of them have certain coping methods that we happily indulge because ultimately if they are relaxed and comfortable they are easier to treat.

If you don't feel confident to express your wishes, write them down ( don’t write an essay just a short list of your requests) and hand it to the receptionist. We have all sorts of weird and wonderful instructions and request. A simple request for dignity is not a problem. Obviously some requests are entertaining but dignity isn’t one of them. Lots of women have a history of SA and although it’s an all women environment being half nak d can be triggering.

I’m a regular at the mammogram clinic after having breast cancer. I also had regular mammograms from my mid 30s after my DSis was diagnosed. It becomes easier as you get older and more experienced but it somehow feels wrong to have a mammogram at an early age and even though I knew what was going to happen the first one did feel awkward.

A little tip, now I’m a post surgery patient they are very careful with my dodgy boob. They apply the pressure slowly and then tighten the plate by hand for the last bit. It’s psychological, you feel that you have more control rather than the machine not knowing when you’ve had enough. Ask them to do this if you are nervous.

They will handle your breast and that can feel a little intrusive. But if it isn’t in the right place then it means doing it again.

Try a few relaxation techniques before you go, counting to 3 as you breath in and the 3 again as you breath out helps. Keep your shoulders loose to stop your muscles from being tense.

It’s a little uncomfortable but not painful. I thought it would be worse after surgery but in fact it was no different.

At some point in the future they will develop better ways to scan breasts but currently a mammogram is the most effective way of spotting breast cancer early in the majority of cases.

I'm a midwife so I understand the importance of protecting women's dignity. This radiographer sounds awful, op I'm so sorry you had this experience. I have tbh, the number of comments here saying this is normal is making me wonder if I will ever be able to attend for a mammogram when my turn comes, i wouldn't have coped well with what op experienced.

Please do complain op. I really am so sorry this happened.

We get the mobile unit for ours, in that there are little cubicles to undress top half in but we don't get gowns either. I knew in advance what to expect and wore a button through shirt . I removed my bra & t-shirt put my shirt back on until I got into the room . You have to remove your top completely then as they need to have a look at your breasts, get you to put your arms up etc before you even have the actual mammogram . It is stressful first time, yes they are doing this all day every day, but you are not, it's not easy but it does get easier. At my very first one I had a couple of nasty, snarky old bitches who rough handled me tutted and spoke to me like I was a real inconvenience to their day. I cried when I got out of there & worried about going for the next. Thankfully I have not seen them again and every mammogram since has been a breeze with very friendly ladies taking care of me & putting me at ease.
OP I hope you have a better experience at your next one.

exactly this 👆🏼

vulnerability is a valid 🫶🏼 & certainty not related to “acting precious”

Please do go to your next one. My first mammogram was awful too, I couldn't get myself in the right position and the radiographer shouted at me that she'd have to get her colleague in as she'd never had this before. I cried when I got home. I had gone to it because I had a lump too, so I also had that to worry about as well (turned out to be a cyst). But I've been to two more since then, and the ladies have been absolutely lovely. My friend had a routine mammogram and cancer was found - she hadnt felt a lump beforehand, so would not have known until later on otherwise, which could have meant much harsher treatment, or even death of course.

I've never known gowns or introductions. I wear a crop top bra and just pull the straps down when it's time for the squishing. It's over quite quickly. By the time she went off looking for a gown it would have been over with anyway.

Now you know what it's like for the future you can be prepared.

I'm quite surprised at the lack of understanding shown to the Op.
I totally understand and a little kindness and understanding, would have made all the difference.

I know this is an old thread but I found it whilst googling about this gown/screening issue. I first went 2’years ago and had a front opening gown. Recently went again and got the letter saying no creams or deodorant. No mention of clothing. When I got there I was asked to remove clothing in a cubicle and wait for someone to open the second door to
take me through. I asked if there was a gown
and I was told no and to leave all my belongings in that cubicle. As I didn’t know when the door would open to get me, I stood awkwardly topless. When the door opened I didn’t quite know what to do with myself - I was taken through and stood by a desk while I was asked questions, then I walked to the machine where yes, granted you need to be topless (though last time I had a gown), then the same in reverse. To be honest, whilst this wasn’t up there with being torn during a smear test and inconveniencing everyone by bleeding on the examination couch, I felt that I was left exposed for too long and unnecessarily during the waiting and questioning part and whilst walking to the machine. Not the best experience hence my curiosity about how other hospitals do it and how other women feel. I dislike this idea that women should be so grateful to receive any healthcare, they should not have an opinion or any legitimate feelings about how that healthcare is delivered.

Just to follow up. I decided to write a mail to the PALs. They apologised and said they will
pass the feedback on which I am
happy with. I also just told my husband and I only got to the bit about no gown being in the cubicle and he was ‘what??!’ before I even mentioned the other bits. So I feel a bit better now and I hope the feedback will lead to
some changes that will help other women be that gown coming back or women being allowed to bring some sort of covering that is removed for the clinical scan only.

There's no time for gowns for every woman though OP. I'm glad you feel better but Imagine the laundry if every woman was given a gown to wear when getting that done?

Crop top and pull it down when you get to the machine. It doesn't need the hand wringing.

I was told to take my clothes off (top half) in the cubicle, then if I wanted to I could chuck a top back on/round me - I used my shirt, unbuttoned - until just before the mammogram procedure began. There was a chair to put your top on by the desk. Didn’t add any extra time (ok, maybe 10 whole seconds), and worked well.

In the info sent to me it states that there won’t be gowns and to take a top you can cover up with and easily remove. The areas where you move around with this type of clothing are secure and only for the staff and women being scanned etc. The areas where partners are allowed is separate

You are absolutely right. I personally couldn’t care less but a lot of women do and you shouldn’t have to give a reason, if you’re not comfortable you’re not comfortable. It doesn’t matter whether it’s due to negative experiences, upbringing, or simply not wanting to.

The radiographer complaining about you is completely unacceptable and gives the impression that the worst thing about your feelings is that they’re inconvenient to other people!

I really do think you should complain.

oops, sorry, didn’t realise it was an old thread!

I’m a retired mammographer and the main reason we never had gowns is because they make getting a good picture more difficult. But I would never have gone through the checklist with a naked woman-I always asked them to keep on their tops while I asked a few questions.

There absolutely is time for gowns or patients own shirt. It takes a few seconds to drop it off at the machine. Crop top wouldn’t have been allowed in the circumstances I described - the instruction was to undress. I didn’t know what was beyond the cubicle, that the walk was across a room and that I’d have to answer questions whilst topless. And why is it this procedure that has to be rushed so fast a gown can’t be slipped off and the laundry bill is prioritised? Plenty of other procedures you could dispense with a gown or cover too.

thank you for dismissing my feelings as ‘hand wringing’. Fortunately the hospital didn’t take the same attitude.