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

Objective: 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.

Materials And Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: 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.