The Experience of Mammography Based on the Memoirs of Examinees

The purpose of this study was to shed light on the pattern of the mammography experience from the examinee’s perspective based on episodic information extracted from notes written by the examinees. Using the notes is an effective approach to maintain privacy and avoid excessive stress. The study methods were qualitative inductive analyses of four sets of notes. Results showed that examinees “checked the words and actions of the medical staff” while relying on the “peace of mind instilled by the technician” before taking the mammogram. However, as breast compression became more intense, their feelings changed to a sense of “betrayal by someone on whom they were relying” since they felt that the technician was “ignoring the situation” or “considering but continuing breast compression”. They were also affected by the “shooting position which is impossible to avoid”. Breast compression during the mammography was a “pressure pain that exceeded their expectations” causing “dissatisfaction with the screening as a result of the pain” and “subconsciously created systemic tension”. Meanwhile, during the shooting, the examinees had performed “quiet countermeasures” such as “self-coping to distract themselves from the pain”. Examinees “earnestly desired a minimal shooting time” but, on the other hand, they also wanted “certainty of shooting rather than consideration of pain”. From these results, it is apparent that examinees were objectively observing the staff, even during shooting and the examinees were using self-coping measures to counter the pain. Providing support measures during mammography procedures is suggested based on the patterns of experiences.