Rare condition explained as woman with 'biggest boobs in the UK' banned from wearing bikini
The rare medical condition which causes boobs to grow continuously has been explained.
Summer Robert, who is thought to have the biggest breasts in the UK, has opened up about the challenges she faces in her day-to-day life.
The Scot revealed that she wears an R-cup, sharing stories where people have asked her to 'cover up', while an ex-boyfriend's parents apparently told her she couldn't wear a bikini.
Now 28, Summer is just 4ft 11in tall, though her breasts weigh about four stone (25kg).
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Doctors would eventually diagnose her with a rare medical condition known as macromastia, though only after years of struggling.
Summer first went to the doctors aged 14 following worries about her chest's growth, and later claimed the NHS denied her breast reduction surgery as her BMI was too high.
She has shared that she wore a C-cup at the age of eight, growing by 11 bra sizes in the last year alone.
Doctors believe that this is due to the hormonal shifts experienced by women in their 20s, but the condition has nonetheless led to unwanted attention, harassment and sexist comments.
Speaking to Mamamia, Summer admitted: "I used to get harassed all the time, I hated my body. I've had an ex-boyfriend's parents tell me I shouldn't be wearing a bikini in a swimming pool.
"I'm like, 'What am I meant to wear?'"
What is macromastia?
Macromastia or gigantomastia, also known as abnormally large breasts, is a condition which predominantly affects female teenagers.
Those with the condition may experience pain in their back, neck and shoulders, according to the Nationwide Children's Hospital.
It means that finding clothes that fit may be hard, while specialised bras with wide straps may be required.
There have only been around 300 cases of the extremely rare condition, as Summer reported that it has stopped her from exercising due to pain.
The Cleveland Clinic says that it can also lead to infections or lesions under your breasts, painful indentations on the skin from your bra and loss of feeling in your nipples.
This can have an effect on mental health, as some individuals with macromastia may experience anxiety and issues with their body image.
Unfortunately, the causes of macromastia are currently unknown, with rare cases suggesting that it can be triggered by other factors such as breast mass.
What are the symptoms of macromastia?
The main symptoms of macromastia are as follows:
- Breast tenderness
- Breast enlargement (which can be asymmetric)
- Headaches
- Rashes under or between the breasts
- Pain in the back, neck and shoulders
- Decreased body image
- Discharge from the nipples
How is macromastia diagnosed and treated?
The condition is based on history and physical examination, though in rare cases where a mass is suspected and there is a family history of breast tumours, imaging may need to be carried out.
If breast size has changed over the past 12 months, it is recommended that you observe it, while the likes of Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, massage and exercise are recommended.
But if size has been stable over the same period and symptoms of macromastia haven't responded to these measures, breast reduction surgery might be a possibility.
Topics: Health
Joshua Nair