Care Opinion

Lovely and reassuring

Posted By Sarmil57

"Lovely and reassuring"

About: Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Breast services

(as a service user),

Invited to mammogram at Mobile Unit, Roe Valley Hospital.

I was greeted so pleasantly and with a smile at reception. This instantly put me at ease.

(I’ve had a number of mammograms before as I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. I was only in my 40s and very fortunate that my place of work offered mammograms at an Action Cancer Mobile Unit for female employees over 40. I had no idea that I had breast cancer)

My appointment was on time and only took about 5 minutes. The sonographer was lovely, very reassuring and chatted the whole time.

Yes, it can be a bit uncomfortable, but it doesn’t hurt. It could feel a bit embarrassing- but as I discovered in before, a few minutes of potential discomfort possibly saved my life! It is our responsibility to look after our own health as much as we can 😊

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Responses

Response from Donna Kerlin, Consultant Radiographer (Breast), Diagnostics, WHSCT last month
Donna Kerlin
Consultant Radiographer (Breast), Diagnostics,
WHSCT

Submitted on 03/02/2025 at 12:34
Published on Care Opinion at 12:35

picture of Donna Kerlin

Sarmil57

Breast cancer diagnosis can be extremely worrying and when you have a had a diagnosis mammograms afterwards can be daunting. It is great to know that you had a good experience in our mobile unit at the Roe Valley hospital. It is very important to have your mammogram even when you cannot feel anything as this is when things are detected early and as you say it is a very short appointment.

Thankyou so much for your positive feedback.

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Response from Marietta Connor, Breast Imaging Service Manager, Diagnostics, Western Health and Social Care Trust last month
Marietta Connor
Breast Imaging Service Manager, Diagnostics,
Western Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 03/02/2025 at 12:34
Published on Care Opinion at 12:34

picture of Marietta Connor

HI Sarmil57,

Thank you for taking the time to post such reassuring feedback for both our radiographer staff and other service users.

Screening can be an anxious time for anyone and with a previous diagnosis it may well be even more thought provoking so it is really good to hear that you have had a pleasant experience.

I will pass on to the mammography staff this positive feedback and hopefully other service users reading your positive experience will be encouraged to attend for routine screening.

Wishing you well in the future.

Marietta Connor

Lead mammographer WHSCT

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