Useful contacts

American Cancer Society has a web page about breast conditions that are not coancerous (‘benign’). It also has information about breast cancer on its website. The information is provided in English and Spanish.
www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/
CRI_2_6X_Benign_Breast_Conditions_59.asp

Breast Cancer Care gives emotional support and practical information to people who have breast cancer, or fear they may have it, including men. The website has useful information on breast pain and on breast cancer, and a FAQ section. Write to: Kiln House, 210 New Kings Road, London SW6 4NZ, UK. Tel: 020 7384 2984. Helpline: 0808 800 6000.
www.breastcancercare.org.uk

Bravissimo specializes in mail-order lingerie and swimsuits for large-breasted women. They produce an excellent life-enhancing catalogue. Write to: Bravissimo, PO Box 2622, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 4XA, UK. Tel: 01926 459859.
www.bravissimo.com

British Association of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) will send you a fact sheet on plastic surgery and a list of their members. Write to: BAAPS, Royal College of Surgeons, 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN, UK (send an sae). Advice line: 020 7405 2234. The most common operations to change breast size or shape are explained on their website.
www.baaps.org.uk

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has web pages giving American information (possibly not completely applicable to the UK).
Breast enlargement – www.surgery.org/public/procedures-breastaug.php
Breast reduction – www.surgery.org/public/procedures-breastreduce.php
Operations for drooping breasts – www.surgery.org/public/procedures-breastlift.php

The National Cancer Institute is a reliable US Government organization. It has a website titled ‘Understanding breast changes: a health guide for all women’, with information that you need to know while waiting for your screening (mammogram) result. It describes common breast changes at various life stages, types of follow-up testing and types of biopsy. It will help you to understand your screening (mammogram) result, and emphasizes that not all breast changes mean cancer.
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understanding-breast-changes

MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) is a UK government website with an excellent section on breast implants for women considering the operation. It has a useful checklist of questions to ask your surgeon.
http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/idcplg?
IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&useSecondary=true&ssDocName=
CON2022635&ssTargetNodeId=386

• Breast problems
• Painful breasts
• Drooping breasts
• Large breasts
• Small breasts
• Lopsided breasts
• Redness under the breasts
• Breasts in men