How a well-fitting bra could spare legions of women needless surgery

The British Medical Association (BMA) said if women got the right size underwear it could save the NHS tens of thousands of pounds each year it currently spends on operations.

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The organisation, which represents doctors' interests, is to demand bra-fitting should become the first step in a referral for breast reduction surgery.

Studies have shown nine in ten women do not wear the correct size of bra, and 22 per cent have never been measured at all.

This is despite the problems an ill-fitting bra can cause such as wires digging in, chafing and pain in the neck and shoulders, all of which could mistakenly be interpreted as evidence that a breast reduction operation is needed.

A motion to be put forward to the BMA annual conference later this month states: "This meeting believes many women requesting breast reduction surgery are wearing bra sizes several sizes too small and that the services of bra-fitters should be made available on the NHS as the first step in the referral for breast reduction surgery.

"We therefore call on the BMA to lobby for these services to be provided."

Cosmetic surgeons are often consulted by women who mistakenly thought they needed breast reduction surgery when a correctly fitted bra would have ended their discomfort.

Professor Kefah Mokbel, a consultant breast surgeon at St George's and the Princess Grace hospitals in London, said: "In one study we found 100 per cent were wearing the wrong bra.

"They tend to underestimate the back size and overestimate the cup.

"This leads to discomfort in the breast, neck and shoulders. These symptoms are interpreted as physical symptoms which indicate the need for breast reduction.

"I strongly believe that setting up a proper bra-fitting service would reduce the symptoms these women suffer and reduce the number of women who are referred requesting breast reduction."

Breast reduction is one of the most common forms of cosmetic surgery in Britain.

A large NHS hospital carries out about 100 breast reductions a year, costing about £4,500 each.

According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), 3,219 people paid to have private breast reduction surgery last year, an increase of 19 per cent on the year before.

Patrick Mallucci, a consultant plastic surgeon at the Royal Free hospital, London, said: "A number of large-breasted women have not been wearing the right bras and experience extra discomfort.

"If you get them wearing the right bra and fit them properly you can probably relieve some of that discomfort without them necessarily needing surgery."

Emma Chapman, a bra expert with Fayreform, an underwear label, said she had helped women avoid surgery by fitting them with the right bra.

"I have fitted women who had been wearing bras that were too small and causing pain and discomfort due to the wires digging in and the fabric chafing," she said.

"By fitting them into a larger size all discomfort was alleviated and their shape and appearance were much improved."

A spokeswoman for Marks and Spencer, which sells more bras than any other high street retailer, said: "We offer a free bra sizing service to anybody that wants to take advantage of it."