Gill Hodges, former president of the Society of Radiographers
As a therapeutic radiologist, who plans and delivers radiation therapy treatments, I see women’s breasts all the time, and one thing I know from the moment I look at a patient is if she’s wearing an ill-fitting bra.
A bra should hold you in place without shifting. If a woman’s breasts move up and down a lot, then it’s obvious that her bra isn’t providing adequate support.
And if your bras leave indentations at your shoulders, it’s likely that your bra doesn’t have the correct band width (that’s the measurement around your chest under your breasts, for example, a size 34 or 36), as too much strain is being put on your shoulders.
Back fat protruding between the straps also indicates that the band width is too small.
This is something I see all the time, which is not surprising given that it is estimated that around 80 percent of women do not wear the proper bra.
But it’s not just a question of comfort or clothes fitting well. Women don’t realise that an ill-fitting bra can also have consequences for their health, including NHS waiting lists.
For this reason, the Society of Radiologists has launched a campaign to demand that women’s bras be exempt from VAT.
Many women experience breast discomfort or pain as a result of breast movement. This is thought to be related to stretching of the supporting structures, including the skin and Cooper’s ligaments (the connective tissue that shapes and supports the breasts).
Additionally, lack of support, especially for women with larger breasts (D cup size or larger), can lead to neck and back pain. Because the weight of the breasts pushes forward, it affects posture, which puts strain on the shoulders, neck, and upper back.
When a bra is too small, if it has underwires, these can dig into the underside of your breast tissue, which can also cause pain.
In 50 percent of cases where women have reported breast pain, it turns out to be due to a lack of breast support.
Additionally, underwires that dig into the bust or armpits can irritate the skin and cause pain, chafing, or even permanent marks or grooves.
It can also lead to infection or intertrigo, an unpleasant skin rash under the breast. This inflammatory condition is triggered by a combination of friction and heat, and/or moisture trapped near the skin where there is little air circulation. It may require treatment with an antifungal or antibiotics.
Similarly, if the breasts are squeezed into an incorrectly sized cup, it can lead to pain.
Bras can also cause pain and bruising if the band digs in, and in more severe cases, lymphatic congestion.
The lymphatic system is a network of channels that transport fluid (or lymph) throughout the body to remove toxins and fight infections as part of our immune system, but if restricted it can lead to painful swelling.
Many of these problems can be attributed to a medical issue, according to the user. However, we know that in 50 percent of cases where women have reported breast pain, it turns out to be due to a lack of breast support.
In fact, it could have meant unnecessary referrals to breast clinics.
The problem women face is that high-quality, supportive bras are expensive and not affordable for everyone who needs them.
A bra that offers adequate support, especially for larger breasts, can cost around £40 or £50, which is out of reach for some people.
Exempting bras from VAT would reduce costs by 20 percent.
And if we can eliminate pain and injury by ensuring everyone can afford the right bra, there would be fewer GP visits and less sickness absence from the workplace, and NHS waiting lists for back scans and back pain investigations would decrease.
With a significant shortage of radiologists (who operate scanning machines to help diagnose injuries and illnesses) in the NHS, if fewer people need scans due to the effects of ill-fitting bras, it frees up scans for other people who need them for conditions such as osteoarthritis or a herniated disc.
Also, something as simple as removing VAT from bras and more women wearing supportive bras means they are more likely to exercise. We know that if you feel discomfort when walking or moving around, that can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle, which again is bad for overall health.
So how do you find the right bra for you?
Before you buy, it’s best to get measured in a store – don’t assume your size will be the same as other brands you’ve worn before. Measuring yourself first will help you check that the bra you’ve chosen fits properly and offers adequate support.
The bra band, which is responsible for supporting the weight of your breasts, should form a straight line and you should be able to slide one or two fingers under it once fastened.
The cup should fully contain the breast without spilling over the sides or middle, and should not gap at the top of the cup (this indicates that it is too large).
It is also essential to measure yourself at least once every three years: breast size can change frequently, especially after weight loss or gain and during breastfeeding; in these cases, it is best to check the size more regularly.
Many women opt for cheaper options when purchasing bras, not realizing that poor support can lead to problems.
Two years ago, women successfully campaigned to have VAT removed from sanitary products, and earlier this year it was removed from period panties.
It is time for the Government to remove VAT on bras. It is better for women and for the National Health System.
