Mastectomy Patient Objected To Screeners Touching Her Prosthesis

Alaska state representative Sharon Cissna was traveling through the Seattle-Tacoma airport on her way back to Alaska recently when she was challenged by TSA after undergoing a full-body scan. Because she had had a mastectomy, TSA procedures apparently called for a pat-down search which would have required the agent touching her prosthesis.

The TSA website does state that TSO's "will need to see and touch your prosthetic device, cast, or support brace as part of the screening process." 

Cisnna's chief of staff, Michelle Scannel, told the Seattle Post Intellegencer that the state lawmaker was asked to submit to a "very intrusive pat-down or leave the airport." Cisnna had been in Seattle for a medical treatment. She was now scheduled to take the ferry back to Alaska, so it was not known when the Anchorage Democrat would be able to return to the state legislature, which is currently in session.

A TSA spokesperson would only say that the agency is "sensitive to the concerns of the passengers who are not satisfied with their screening process," and invites them to "provide feedback" to TSA.

FMI: www.tsa.gov