'They disgust me': The fight for smaller breasts

Back pain, rashes, harassment and a bad smell.

These are just some of the reasons why Charlotte Howard, 52, from West Lavington, says she is "disgusted" by her own breasts.

Once measuring at a 32B, they soon grew to a 40GG when she started the menopause.

"I find them intolerable. I'm basically carrying half a stone off my neck and shoulders. I can't look at myself without clothes on," she says.

"I dream of cutting them off with a pair of scissors."

Howard says her breasts are now so large, she has to use medicated talc under them to prevent rashes, also washing them "two or three times a day" because they smell.

Like many others, Howard, who works as a horticulturist, says because of her breasts she also finds exercise painful and uncomfortable, making it difficult to stay active.

When she is out and about in public, she says she is regularly harassed because of them.

"I get fat-shamed in the street, people shout stupid jokes, lewd comments about them," she describes.

Finding the pain and discomfort too much, Howard says she visited her GP to ask about breast reduction surgery, but was told there was "no chance" she would qualify.

She is now considering private breast reduction surgery, but says the estimated £6,000 - £9,000 cost is daunting.

She is not alone.

The exact criteria for having breast reduction surgery on the NHS depends on where you live but may be possible if other options, which include wearing professionally fitted bras, have not worked.

According to the NHS, health problems caused by having very large breasts are also considered, along with the size of your breasts, your weight, your general health and if you smoke.

These include:

• Not being able to take part in sport or exercise
• Low self-esteem or depression
• Grooves on shoulders from bra straps
• Skin irritation under the breasts
• Back, shoulder or neck pain

Those who want the surgery to change their appearance, rather than for health reasons, will need to pay for it privately.

Simon Hawkins, a consultant breast surgeon in Wiltshire, treating both NHS and private patients, says he has seen an increase in women requesting the surgery privately over the last 15 years.

"It's always been very difficult to get approved for breast reduction surgery on the NHS," he says. "It's generally regarded as a cosmetic treatment."

According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, there were 4,673 private breast reduction procedures carried out in the UK in 2025, a 2% rise on the year before.

"It's not just a cosmetic operation where you have body confidence benefits, you might also be able to do activities and exercise more. There's also the potential impact on back and neck issues," says Hawkins.

It is the role of integrated care boards (ICBs) to manage local NHS budgets and commission care and services, including surgeries such as breast reduction.

A spokesperson for the NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, NHS Dorset and NHS Somerset ICB say while "breast reduction surgery is not routinely commissioned for all patients" in the area, decisions "about treatment are made on an individual clinical basis".

They say the person's circumstances are taken into account, including "the evidence of likely benefit".

"The policy is designed to ensure that NHS resources are used fairly," they add.

Howard says she was not given a clear reason why she would not receive further support from the NHS. The NHS declined to comment on Howard's individual case when approached by the BBC.

"I'm just exhausted really, it's a fight to get heard, to be listened to," she says.

"The lack of support feels isolating," she says.

"If you're a woman of a certain age and you have anything wrong with you they say 'lose some weight dear', or its the menopause," she adds.

Meanwhile Hawkins says more women are also looking to get cheaper surgery abroad, with travel packages available in Lithuania, Turkey and Prague among other places.

The NHS warns "safety standards may not be as high" in those countries as in the UK.

"It's certainly is a lot cheaper but we're seeing quite a few patients who present to NHS services with problems and complications after surgery performed abroad," Hawkins adds.

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