We all know mammograms are one of life's most unpleasant things. Has anyone actually hear of a good experience?

The procedure is bad enough but the attitudes of the staff and technicians certainly aren't helpful.

I have yet to witness a staff member try to soothe the anxiety of a terribly upset client crying in a waiting room. I've never had a technician ask me how I'm doing. I've never been asked for permission or been advised when they are going to touch me. I've never had a technician talk to me and explain to me what she is going to do. Instead they tear off your coverslip grab you by your breast and yank you and it over to the machine. No kindness. No apology for the pain. Just tug, push, yank until you are standing correctly. Then no warning of what will happen next.

This experience today (my 6th) was particularly mortifying and unpleasant. It also was incredibly painful. I wanted to call this technician who was unkindly manhandling me every name in the book.

The 30 sec twice each side procedure is unpleasant but there is no need the rest of the experience should be. I am livid.

[Artchic528]

I'm sorry you're experiencing such unpleasant bedside manners by technicians and such. I am not looking forward to having this procedure done later in my life. I'm only 33, so I haven't had it done yet. I've heard it's all kinds of painful and unpleasant, but never heard how rude and cold the technicians can be.

I don't know what, if anything can be done here. I'm truly sorry.

[*Laurie*]

I'm so sorry you had such a rotten mammogram experience! I've had 4 mammograms in my life; all were routine (no symptoms, just check-ups). Each one was an okay experience. The techs were friendly and considerate and the procedure, while slightly physically uncomfortable, was definitely not painful or terrible. The techs always told me when they were going to touch me.

[benzenering]

I've now had four mammograms (I'm 47).

The first three were routine. Nothing much to say about them, pretty boring stuff, and the staff were fine.

Then, the FOURTH, two and a half years ago. Got the screening mammogram, then waited. Further tests...another mammogram, targeting a specific area...any details from a doctor? No. Further tests...ultrasound targeting a specific area...any details from a doctor, NO!!! I had worked myself into a frenzy by this time! Finally, a doctor came in to explain they had determined it was a cyst. Whew, had tears in my eyes!

I have been dragging my feet about going back (this is the only local place that takes my insurance) but finally made an appointment for late June. Nervous? You bet!

[Nammu]

Not sure how many I've had, all but one routine. I skipped a few years because of experiences like that. But my last two were nice. Now I'm in uncharted territory as I've moved from a city of almost a million to a small town of not even 25,000. Just had this talk with my doc, he wants it cause of my age....can't wait to reach 65 and be on the other side. There's really no excuse for techs to be cold and rude.

I have chosen to forgo a mammogram until I am 50. This is one of the reasons. I will be having a thermogram and I will let you know how that goes. Literally they don't even touch you. They just throw a light at you and measure heat signatures.

I am concerned about any roughness causing any cancer that might be there to spread. I have considered NOT getting a mammogram at all. My mother never did have one until she was 70 and she was fine.

[splitimage]

I guess I'm lucky, I've never really had a bad mammogram experience. I've had 3. The facility I go to only uses female technicians, and they've always been very polite and respectful to me, telling me in advance what they were going to do.

Yes the proceedure itself is unpleasant, but at least it's relatively quick.

splitimage

[Angelique67]

I should get another one done soon. The first one was in.2000, and found a cyst. I don't think there was a biopsy. They had called me back for a visit with a doctor to aspirate the cyst. It was really gross. And I was sore for quite awhile after that. The next time I had an ultrasound after the mammogram showed more lumps, and I was told I had "cysts", plural. That was in about 2006 I think. And I haven't had another mammogram since then.

[Fresia]

I have had the caring, nice, respectful and considerate tech's for some of my mammos and then for others, the could-care-less, you are more like a piece of meat and abusive (at times) tech's.

For a few years there was one tech that I knew was respectful and I could schedule when she was there but she left. Now it is a toss up as to who it will be and I get anxious before what is really just a routine test, and shouldn't have to feel that way for that reason. Saddening and angering to feel a sense of violation on a necessary exam that doesn't have to be that unpleasant.

[Unrigged64072835]

I've had quite a few mammograms. I don't remember a time where anyone dragged me around. That is rather rude and disrespectful. I haven't had any repeat mammograms but my breast tissue is dense.

All the techs I've been with are female and were courteous. Some of them have been on the receiving end, so they understand.

Sorry to hear you've had a bad experience.