ASPS Study Reveals Mental Health Impact of Breast Asymmetry on Teenagers
Breast asymmetry where one breast is different in size and/or shape from the other is a common condition. However, it can pose both physical and psychological challenges, which is why many women opt to correct the flaw through cosmetic breast surgery. A new study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), reports that breast asymmetry has a significant mental health impact on teenagers. The researchers at the Boston Children's Hospital found that many factors were impacted, such as selfesteem, emotional well-being, and social functioning. According to a report on the study, breast asymmetry is not just a "cosmetic issue" but
has negative
psychological and emotional effects as well. The research suggests that early intervention could provide mental health benefits for teenagers with relatively mild breast size differences. The main points of the study are as follows:
The study evaluated psychosocial functioning and health-related quality of life in 3 sets of women: with breast asymmetry, without breast asymmetry, and with macromastia (overlarge breasts)
The average age of the women was 17 years for all groups
The participants with breast asymmetry included 59 adolescents and young women (12 to 21 years)
For the women with asymmetry, the breasts differed by at least one bra cup size
About 40 percent of girls with asymmetry had tuberous breast deformity, a congenital condition in which the breasts don’t develop normally
When compared to girls with "normal" breasts, several aspects of mental health and well-being were lower in those with asymmetry
Breast asymmetry was linked with significantly lower scores for emotional well-being and self-esteem, after adjustment for differences in body weight
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Those with asymmetry were also noted to have "borderline" issues in social functional and eating behaviors and attitudes
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The psychological effects noted were more or less similar for girls with overly large breasts, women with differences in the breasts after breast cancer surgery, and boys with enlarged breasts
The researchers concluded that "The observed impaired psychological well-being of adolescents with breast asymmetry may indicate the need for early intervention to minimize negative outcomes". However, they opine that a cosmetic procedure is not always the first preference and that weight control and mental health counseling could be tried in the first phase. Girls who have completed development and still have breast asymmetry would experience important emotional benefits with surgical intervention. However, evaluation by an experienced cosmetic breast surgeon is critical to determine candidature and enjoy an optimal outcome. Contact Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery 6400 Fannin, Suite 2290 Houston, TX 77030 713-791-0700 713-791-0703 fax