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Information in advance of breast screening

Posted By Gelin

"Information in advance of breast screening"

About: West Scotland Breast Screening Centre

(as a service user),

I recently received an invitation to attend a breast screening session. Included in the mailing was a leaflet. On page 7 of the leaflet was the following comment:

Some women find the test uncomfortable or embarrassing, but remember that the mammographer is a health professional who carries out many mammograms every day.

The two clauses of this complex sentence do not provide the reassurance that I believe the breast screening service is trying to provide.

Someone, who in the course of their job carries out a procedure many times in a day is just as likely to not have compassion for the patient.

1 in 4 women are estimated to have experienced abuse in some form. For many of us, attending procedures such as mammograms or smears is almost impossible because of feelings of shame, embarrassment and humiliation.

Rewording this section of the leaflet could go some way to assuring women that their concerns will be understood and accommodated.

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Responses

Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 6 years ago
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 16/03/2018 at 12:52
Published on Care Opinion at 13:53

picture of Nicole McInally

Dear Gelin

Thank you for your post on Care Opinion and your comments regarding the Breast Screening Information leaflet.

We are aware that women may feel embarrassed, anxious or worried about the mammogram. Therefore staff will try to make women feel as comfortable as possible, and allay any worries or fears. However, this may not come across in the information leaflet so I will share your concerns with the General Manager for the Breast Screening Service.

Kind Regards

Nicole

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Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 6 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 21/03/2018 at 13:55
Published on Care Opinion at 16:45

picture of Nicole McInally

Dear Gelin

Thank you for your post on Care Opinion.

I can confirm that this leaflet is currently being updated and I will share your comments with the review group.

Kind Regards

Lynn Ross

General Manager – Diagnostic Directorate

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Update posted by Gelin (a service user)

I understand that a clinic has recently been set up at Sandyford that recognises the problems women who have been abused have with intimate health examinations - maybe breast screening can also be considered within this project.

Its good to hear that you are updating the leaflet.

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