Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2000 00:46:32 -0500

Large Breasted Women Can Suffer More Pain Than

Cancer and Arthritis

Patients, New Study Shows

Embargo For Release

October 27, 1999

Contact: Media Relations

(847) 228-9900

NEW ORLEANS - The level of pain suffered by women with breast hypertrophy (large and heavy breasts) can be more severe than that suffered by patients with major health conditions such as arthritis, cancer, or back pain, according to a study presented today, October 27, at the 68th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in New Orleans.

"The level of pain reported by women with very large breasts was surprising," said Carolyn L. Kerrigan, MD, professor of surgery, Dartmouth Medical School and section chief and program director, Plastic Surgery, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, New Hampshire. "Breast hypertrophy has a significant impact on women's quality of life."

The study included 263 women, aged 18 to 74, who completed a variety of questionnaires including the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), which measures four categories of pain: total, sensory, affective and cognitive-evaluative. Their answers were compared to population norms for women in similar age groups.

Results showed that patients with large breasts reported greater total pain on the MPQ scale (27.6) than patients with other pain syndromes including: back (26.3); cancer (26.0); phantom limb (25.0); pain following herpes (22.6); dental (19.5); arthritis (18.8); menstrual (17.5). Despite the severe pain of this condition, breast reduction surgery is often considered a cosmetic procedure and is not generally covered by insurance.

"These early results document that the burden of breast hypertrophy is a very significant medical condition comparable to many others that are covered without question by managed care. It is important that this condition be given appropriate coverage," said Dr. Kerrigan.

In a related study, conducted in Sweden by Lennart Blomqvist, MD, Department of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, breast reduction surgery was shown to provide long-term

improvement in patients' health and quality of life. Prior to breast reduction surgery, the 49 women in the study ranked their level of pain in the neck, shoulder, back and breast, as well as the severity of their headaches. The survey also examined the effect of heavy breasts on body posture, choice of clothing, sleep, sexual life, working capacity and quality of life. Follow-up questionnaires were completed at six and 12 months after surgery.

The results showed that the majority of women reported reduction or elimination of pain and increase in quality of life. These improvements were maintained one year after surgery. Because breast reduction surgery, in contrast to other therapies such as physiotherapy, produces long-lasting reduction or elimination of the symptoms, the study concluded that it should be available and reimbursed.