What happens in those Breast Screening units?

Has anyone been to one? What do they do to you while you're there, do you have to strip off or anything? are there machines and things? I want to go along to one today but im a little bit nervous about what they might do :s-smilie:

Thanks xxx

Reply 1

_ Santos _

1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_screening

Reply 2

Jonquil

OP

10

Thanks Santos :smile:

, thats answered some of my worries. But is that machine thingy what they have in those mobile units you see around? and are they doctors and will they tell your own doctor if you go and get it done, because i dont want mine to know (its my dad :frown:

)
thanks xxx

Reply 3

Talya

16

Jonquil

Thanks Santos :smile:

, thats answered some of my worries. But is that machine thingy what they have in those mobile units you see around? and are they doctors and will they tell your own doctor if you go and get it done, because i dont want mine to know (its my dad :frown:

)
thanks xxx

Why don't you want your dad to know?

Anyway, my mum said it can be quite uncomfortable when you are actually being screened but the nurse will guide you through the process, so don't worry.

Reply 4

Jonquil

OP

10

I don't feel comfortable discussing medical things with my dad. its alright if I've got a sore throat, or if I've hurt myself or something but I would feel extrememly uncomfortable talking about any girly sort of problem with him. Would you go to your dad to ask for the morning after pill, or if you thought you were pregnant? sorry for that detour off topic, but its something i've been worrying a bit about lately :rolleyes:

sorry

Reply 5

Anonymous #1

Jonquil

...and will they tell your own doctor if you go and get it done, because i dont want mine to know (its my dad :frown:

)

Is that not against guidelines?

OP

what guidelines?

General Medical Council, British Medical Association, NHS codes of practise etc. I'll have a look and see.

But these are UK based.

Reply 8

Anonymous #1

Yes it is. I'm surprised your Dad would choose to especially in a GP context... if you're not comfortable with it then definitely change.

General Medical Council (the regulatory body i.e. they decide who is fit to practise):

[QUOTE] GMC's guidance entitled “Doctors should not treat themselves or their families”, July 1998, which states that:
“It is good medical practice for doctors and their families to be registered with a general practitioner outside the family… This gives the doctor and family members ready access to objective advice and avoids the conflict of interest that can arise when doctors treat themselves or those close to them. From time to time, sad cases occur where a doctor's loss of objectivity in treating a family member results in misconduct.”
Further:
“Doctors should avoid treating themselves or close family members wherever
possible. This is a matter of common sense as well as good medical practice.”

British Medical Association:

Guidance from the Ethics Department
March 1995, revised March 2004

Treating family or friends
Doctors are sometimes asked to treat their families or other people close to them. There are clearly some cases, such as in emergencies, in which such action would be reasonable, but as a general rule it should be avoided.

A confusion of roles can develop and doctors can find it hard to keep the right emotional distance. They may fail to notice symptoms that a dispassionate observer would note and, if treating a relative at home, may not be able to carry out all the tests that would be done in a formal consultation. They may have conflicts of interest or be erroneously perceived as having such conflicts. Doctors may be suspected of neglect or facilitating harm, for example, when they stand to inherit or otherwise benefit from a relative’s death. Supplying controlled drugs to an addicted friend or relative is obviously unacceptable and to comply with such requests is mistaken loyalty.

Sometimes the request for treatment does not come from the relative but rather doctors assume that they should treat their own spouse or children, for example. This can have disadvantages for those patients who may find that, as treatment progresses, they do not have the same rights to privacy as other patients.

Where emergencies do arise, and doctors provide treatment for themselves or their family or friends, the treated person’s general practitioner should be informed at the earliest reasonable opportunity.

Reply 9

Jonquil

OP

10

That's interesting, and I agree with what the guidlines say. I definitely couldn't confide in my dad if i had any problems because for all i know he would tell mum, even if i asked him not to. But how on earth can i change doctors without a) offending my dad, and b) making my already protective parents suspicious?
thank you so much tho anonymous person for looking that up :smile:

Reply 10