A New Technical Mode in Mammography: Self-Compression Improves Satisfaction

We aimed to evaluate the mammography experience of patients using a manually controlled self- compression tool compared to their previous experience based on technician performed breast compression by a questionnaire survey study.

The survey studies of 365 patients who underwent screening or diagnostic mammography between April 2017 and July 2017 at our center were reviewed retrospectively. Each patient had completed a 12-item questionnaire following mammography examinations. Women who never had a mammography before or who had a previous mammography examination more than 2 years ago or who did not want to use the self-compression device were excluded from the study. 106 women were included in the study.

Patient satisfaction was high. Regarding the comparison of the experience of the exam to previous ones, 70.8% said it was a better experience. The examination was found comfortable by 85.4% of the participants and 75.5% found the examination more comfortable compared to previous ones. Only 11.3% were anxious and 52.8% declared they were less anxious compared to previous examinations. Regarding the attractiveness of the new design, 66.9% declared they found the new design attractive, 39.7% found it more attractive than previous examinations, and 27.3% said the new design decreased anxiety. In the evaluation of impact of patient-assisted compression (PAC) on comfort, 80.2% said that they found it more comfortable and 64.2% said that PAC decreased anxiety. Furthermore, 72.6% said the exam was shorter.

Self-compression technique decreases pain and anxiety of women during mammography examinations and promises to enhance compliance of clients and patients with follow-up mammography recommendations.