THE National Health Service is being urged to provide trained bra-fitters to cut the number of unnecessary breast reductions demanded by women whose lingerie is several sizes too small.

A motion to the annual meeting of the British Medical Association (BMA) suggests that if bra-fitters measured the patient and then recommended the correct size of underwear, hospitals could save money on cosmetic surgery.

The motion 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.” 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. Bringing this number down could result in big savings.

Cosmetic surgeons said last week they were frequently consulted by women who believed they needed surgery when a properly fitted bra could alleviate their discomfort.

Professor Kefah Mokbel, a consultant breast surgeon at St George’s and the Princess Grace hospitals in London, said most women his clinics saw were wearing the wrong size bra. “In one study we found 100% were wearing the wrong bra. They tend to underestimate the back size and overestimate the cup,” he said.

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

Although Mokbel is not one of those proposing the motion, he said: “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.” Patrick Mallucci, a consultant plastic surgeon at the Royal Free hospital, London, added: “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.”

Numerous surveys by lingerie stores have shown that most women do not wear the correct size of bra.

Emma Chapman, a bra expert with Fayreform, an underwear label, said she had experience of preventing surgery through bras that fit.

“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.”

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