Episode Guide
Breasts
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In this second of four specials, the Embarrassing Illnesses doctors will be concerning themselves with breasts and all matters mammary. In an effort to encourage women to bring their breasts out into the open, they’ll be taking their medical expertise to the capital and setting up drop-in clinics in the East End and West End of London – in the imposing surroundings of Shoreditch town hall, and conveniently, in a bra shop in the heart of Covent Garden.
First through the clinic’s doors is a huge pair of double ‘J’ breasts, swiftly followed by 40-year-old Alyson. After 20-years of back pain and misery from carrying around a whopping 5 kilos on her chest, she is desperate to see if Dr Harper can reduce her burden by referring her for breast reduction surgery.
Former breast cancer sufferer, Cheryl, whose breast removal and problematic reconstructive surgery left her with only one breast, also visits the clinic to see Dr Jessen. Her mastectomy is a painful reminder of a part of her life she wants to leave behind. And now, two years on, she feels ready to try reconstructive surgery again.
Jacqui seeks Dr Harper’s advice about reshaping surgery for her deflated breasts and inverted, misaligned nipples. Now approaching the menopause, Jacqui’s breasts have started to sag. However, breast reduction surgery in her thirties means that her nipples have not quite succumbed to gravity in the same way, remaining artificially high.
Anna, whose once buoyant bosoms lost their fullness after childbirth and breast feeding, also visits Dr Harper to see if she can put some bounce back in her life. Anna has lost so much volume from her ‘C’ cup breasts that she is down to trainer-bra size. And with her dwindling chest now impinging on her relationship, she has finally been spurred into action.
On the subject of motherhood, Dr McKenna receives a visit at the Shoreditch clinic from a support group for British mothers who discuss how the long term benefits to mother and child from breastfeeding far outweigh short term discomforts. However, in Anna’s case, her breasts and her spirits are in need of an urgent lift.
Among the clinic’s many patients seeking breast reduction, reconstruction and reshaping, there is 22-year-old Keelie, who simply wants her breasts to be the same size. And after years of teasing and unhappiness, Keelie decides that surgery is the only option to correct her markedly mismatched asymmetric breasts. The procedure isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it’s surgery that will transform her life for the better.
Sometimes it’s simply the pursuit of bigger or more attractive breasts that can cause problems. Women seeking breast augmentation may be searching for a confidence boost, but sometimes the results leave a lot to be desired. It’s this that brings Ruth and Mina to the Covent Garden clinic in search of advice.
But it’s not just misshapen breasts that the doctors are presented with. The much-feared breast lump is also a prominent concern, which sees broadcaster Tracey Cox making a surprise visit to the Shoreditch clinic to get something off her chest. Meanwhile, Chloe visits the clinic to see if the doctors can actually remove something from her chest…a growth!
Unfortunately for men, women don’t have the monopoly on breast problems. In fact, having breasts at all is a big problem for a man, which is why Abdul Ahmed brings his man boobs to the clinic in the hope that they can be removed. Abdul might feel out of place attending a clinic dominated by women’s problems, but we’ll get to see the results of his consultation in Thursday’s programme, which is dedicated entirely to men.
To mark this ‘breast special’, Dr Jessen also dons a special suit (complete with fake breasts!) to show women in a London market exactly what to look for when checking their breasts for lumps. Women of the capital – there is nowhere to hide!
And don’t forget – you can watch our self-check guide about how to check your breasts by clicking here, or you can get the guide on your mobile phone by texting BOOBS to 84444…
The EB team would like to thank:
Angelica Kavouni
West London Clinic
Transform
Against Breast Cancer
Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Care
Breast Cancer Campaign
Cancer Research UK
Playtex
Sh Women
Elaine Sassoon
Pink Wishes
Breast Chek
Carolines Campaign
Avent
Truly Scrumptious
Woman’s Own
Pregnacare
Tetbury Hospital
Comments
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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
i am fifteen years old and im very self concious.And dont have any confidence maybe this could help? i know i havent properlly developed but my right breast is incredibly smaller than the other? help please?
Hello
I'm 17 and for a couple of years I have noticed small spots on my nipples, random inside and small ones all around the nipple. Is this bad or an ordinary thing?
Thanks ~
I went to see my local women's clinic and was told that I must lose weight, especially from my breast area since I seem to store my fat there!!! I have tried to do so and except for my breast, I am quite skinny. I now can feel and see my ribs but no weight lost from my breasr. Please advise on what to do now. I am a 45 year old mother of three with a size 34FF (I was measured at 33 FF but the closest bras size is 34FF)
hi im 25 and before my period my boobs were really sore, and after and still now there still sore, and seem like they av grown. ive done a preg test it were negitive. ive put half a stone on but needed to cus im tiny, so just wondering why they are sore??? thanx
hi im 22 years old,i have a really flat chest even the aa's are to big,but i have big nipples.i have been very depressed because of this.i have a partner he has only seen them twice as i never want take my top off.could you please help me or give me some advice as i don't feel like a woman. thanks.
im 14, and i have one breast bigger then the other, my mam said its normal for women to have there right sider bigger then the other, but i find it really horrible, and i also have 1 nipple a bit bigger than the other, what can i do ?
I'm fourteen and i have a pigeon chest ( that is what the doctor calls it) its where one of my chest bone sticks out. I have been going through puberty since year 6, i am now in year 9 going into year 10. The doctors have said that my chest wouldnt be shown when my breasts grow, my breasts have grown and they are a 32a at the moment, i wear push up bra's to try and hide the chest bone a little more, but it still shows from where my cleavage shows. Have you got any advice?
i am a 26yr old mum of two. since havin the girls my breast r horrid the tops of my breast have dissapeared, its nocked my confidence and i dont feel rite wen sexually active wiv my partner. i lay on my back they dissapear i lay on my side well i cant explain,my nipples face downwards aswell it really is startin to get me down I WANT MY BREAST BACK!!! any advice plz plz plz
i am 27 and my daughter is 7, i did breast feed her untill she was a year old, but ever since i have had a white creamy discharge, from the nipple but also from the surrounding area, i did have several hormoan tests which have shown nothing ?
im 14 and have been on the larger size since i started pubity around the age of 9, i have 1 nipple rather bigger than the other and my boobs are quite saggy which makes me feel really horrible about myself , im a size 38 b/c is there any way i can make them perkyier ? any suggestions would be appreciated thanks
