Tight-fitting underwire bras left me with a giant cyst and gaping hole in between my boobs
Lynne McConnell noticed a small lump in the middle of her chest and within days it had grown to a rock-hard cyst
A WOMAN claims that wearing tight-fitting underwire bras caused her to develop a giant cyst which had to be cut out - leaving her with a gaping hole between her boobs.
Lynne McConnell, 51, started wearing the particular style of bra around 15 years ago and would always get measured at a shop before buying a new one.
The pharmacy worker, from Brighton, East Sussex, says she complained to staff they felt too tight but was assured numerous times they were supposed to.
But she started to notice a pea-sized bump in the middle of her chest, and within a few days it had quickly grown to a 4x4cm rock-hard mass.
It was sitting directly under the midpoint of the bra leaving her in agony, so she called 111 who told her to go to A&E straight away.
Lynne claims a surgeon told her the wired-bra had put pressure on a gland, which had blocked and caused a cyst to develop.
She needed to have it cut own, leaving her with an open wound - that took three months to heal.
'I couldn't wear a bra for weeks'
Lynne said: "There is a lack of awareness about these types of bras.
"Something has clearly gone wrong and all I want is for people to learn from what has happened.
"I don't want anyone else to go through what I have. It really affected my self-esteem for a long time.
"I couldn't wear a bra for weeks and I try to take pride in how I look. It wasn't nice at all."
Lynne, who has 34GG breasts, has been buying underwire bras since 2003.
She was fitted by experts in a shop, but had to return numerous times over the years, to complain of tightness.
The Scot, who moved from Glasgow to Brighton five years ago, said she often put tissue underneath the bra to add comfort.
But she said when she complained, bra fitters said the garments fitted adequately, so she kept wearing them.
"The staff just said that's how they are supposed to fit," she said.
In June last year she noticed a "pea-shaped" lump which became very painful.
The lump grew and she phoned 111 and was told to go along to A&E at Brighton and Sussex Hospital, on June 16.
Lynne was given antibiotics and doctors suggested the lump could be an abscess caused by infection.
But the tablets didn't work and when Lynne went to her local breast clinic on July 4, she was in "agony" and was unable to wear a bra.
Bra blocked gland
The doctor at Brighton's Park Centre for Breast Care said it was a cyst and it was removed immediately under local anaesthetic, she said.
Lynne said: "It had become particularly uncomfortable to wear a bra and the lump was growing quickly.
"By the time I went to the breast clinic it was really painful. I went in at 3pm and left within two hours. The surgeon just cut it out there and then.
"It was just too tight. I always said it was too tight but they just told me that's how it should fit.
It was uncomfortable but I just listened to them. The staff insisted that's how tight they need to be
Lynne McConnell
"It was uncomfortable but I just listened to them. The staff insisted that's how tight they need to be.
"The surgeon said the pressure of the bra caused the gland to get blocked.
"I was always told to have it really tight. I raised concerns that they were too tight but I was just told that's the size that fits me."
She was left with an 4cm open wound that couldn't be stitched up, needed dressing daily and took three months to heal properly.
How to check if your bra fits properly
MANY women struggle to find the perfect-fit bra and are often left in the dark over what size they really are.
Here's how you can measure yourself to find out your correct size and find out if your current bra is the wrong fit.
Marks and Spencer's bra fit expert and technical manager Julia Mercer revealed a few of the tell-tale signs of an ill-fitting bra.
Under-boob
Julia told that if any of your bosom is seeping out under the cup, it's time for a bigger size.
She said: "The best way to check that a bra is fitting correctly is to lift the arms up and twist the body, the bra shouldn't move and stay in place at all times."
Side-boob
The same goes for any boob escaping from the sides of your bra cups. Side-boob spillage means that the cups are too small - the cups should encase ALL of tour breast tissue.
Tight straps
The straps of your bra are designed to hold the cups up, not support your bust - you should be able to fit two fingers on top of each other underneath.
You can check if your bra is supporting you enough by sliding the straps down to see if the cups are still doing their job.
"Four-boobs"
This a very common issue - particularly among women who've put on weight (the breast is made up of 75 per cent fat).
Some ladies will no be keen on the idea of going up a cup-size - but this can be unflattering.
Back fat
Julia said: "Unfortunately every woman, no matter their size, has this issue and can be made worse if the under-band of the bra is too tight."
to combat this, you should try to wear a bra that smooths any lumps or bumps with a shaped back.
Cups are too big
If you've recently lost weight, you may find that the cups of your bras are too big.
This means not enough support and means you need a new, smaller bra.
Lynne, who has been married to wife, Honor, for eight years, said the scar is still tender and she has to wear wireless sports bras.
"It was absolutely awful," she said.
"I felt miserable all the time and it really affected my confidence. That hole was the first and last thing I thought about everyday."
Lynne wrote to the retailer to complain and was put in touch with the company's legal team, who told her last month the bras or fitting were not to blame.
Doc's advice
According to dermatologist, Dr Adil Sheraz, tight clothing - like underwire bras - are known to cause cysts.
The British Skincare Foundation consultation said sacs containing semi-fluid material, which looks like cottage cheese, can form on the skin as a result of wearing overly tight clothes.
Dr Adil Sheraz, consultant dermatologist and a spokesperson for British Skin Foundation said: "Cysts ares a benign growths that form under the skin.
"They are lined with epithelium, a layer of cells, that often forms the 'sac' which will contain semi-fluid material, which often has the appearance and consistency of cottage cheese.
"They are often defined based on their location, for example pilar cysts often from on the scalp.
"Cysts can be inherited or acquired. Inherited conditions, such as Gardner's syndrome, can result in multiple cysts.
MORE ON SKIN CONDITIONS
"Cysts form when cells start multiply inwards rather than being shed on the surface.
"Why some people form cysts is not entirely known however they can often be caused by a blockage at the site of a hair follicle opening, as a result of a blocked pore or even injury to the skin.
"Occlusion of pores which may occur from pressure or tight garments could potentially cause formation of cysts.";
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