NHS and impossible questions!

[tunainatin]

Hopefully you can see the attached. I have an appointment at a breasht clinic and this is on the form I need to fill in. After several reads I'm still a bit puzzled - I have a PhD, some people attending will have low literacy/English as a 2nd language. I presume all they need to know is that I have breasts? They could check what pronouns I use so they make sure they don't offend me? I work for the NHS and feel furious that such ridiculousness has found its way into paperwork like this, making it even more difficult for some people to access services.

We have gender roles now? Do we have to audition?

What mince!

Say what?
I don't think I have a gender identity. What gender roles do I do?

What on earth does that question mean? It's nonsense.

Bring my what in line with what, now? I have questions.

'gender role and sausage, please. No chips'.

Crikey that's confusing!

Men can get breast cancer too although I am not sure how a mammography machine would work for them.

As in male sex men, with XY chromosomes and sperm producing gametes. Though it is a lot rarer than in women.

I really dont understand what that question is asking???

That's a terribly written question!

It's obviously written by committee. Reminds me of a sign we had in our local Asda - We regret that responsibility for loss, damage or theft is at owners risk.

They need an extra tick box marked 'it's never occurred to me',

Or "say what now?"

I think they use ultrasound for breast cancer screening and diagnostics in people who don’t have breasts that are squashable under a plate!

I’m participating in a research programme for breast cancer and started having mammograms much earlier and more frequently than the usual NHS screening programme.
Apparently a mammogram at 35 is much less efficient than one at 50plus as the breasts are denser (it’s also more painful 😬)

Yes I did wonder if the fact that men got breast cancer too was someone adding to the complicatedness of finding out what gender someone is and gender they think they are, without causing offence. I intend to write 'i don't understand the question'

Eh? That's written in gibberish.

What annoys me is that someone might feel unable to attend as they've no idea how to fill in this form, so why is this silly dance with words more important than women's access to health care?

My 77year old dad recently had a mammogram as he had a breast lump. He was more worried about the staff member trying to get it done as “there wasn’t much to work with” 🤣 He got the all clear and appreciated the kindness of all staff involved.

Aw! I’m glad he got the all clear!

I’m a woman with a big rib cage and a small cup size and that’s a challenging combo for the staff, your dad’s experience must’ve been an interesting day at the clinic :)

...someone might feel unable to attend as they've no idea how to fill in this form, so why is this silly dance with words more important than women's access to health care?

They usually give you the chance to give feedback, and that would make a great comment. I'd add that they have forgotten the needs of their target demographic.

Not quite the same, but I remember having a form that asked me about my Waterworks….

It makes me really angry - not just from a GC angle (though definitely that too) - but thinking about my patients, many of whom do not have high levels of literacy. It's stressful enough, going to Breast Clinic, without the humiliation of not understanding the form.

Are you transgender? If so I think it's just asking if you intend to have surgery to appear more like the gender you identify as. Removal of or addition of breasts may be relevant for a breast clinic.

If you're not transgender then this question isn't relevant to you so just ignore it.

I do agree it is badly worded.

That's one of the worst examples I've seen . Absolute bobbins!