Breast education for schoolgirls; why, what, when, and how?

Abstract

Schools are fundamental settings for health education and adolescent females are an important group for promoting positive breast habits. We surveyed 2089 schoolgirls (11-18 years) to provide evidence for, and guidance on, breast education for schoolgirls. 26% reported negative feelings about their breasts and 87% reported ≥ one breast concern. 72% wanted to know more about breast cancer (69% rating this extremely important). >50% wanted to know more about breast sag and breast pain. Preferred delivery format was age eleven (50%), girls only taught sessions (41%) with female teachers (43%). A need for breast education and delivery preferences was identified.

Breast Education Improves Adolescent Girls' Breast Knowledge, Attitudes to Breasts and Engagement With Positive Breast Habits

“…Adolescence is a challenging time for girls; breasts and breast development can be embarrassing and confusing, negatively impacting body image, self-esteem (20), and physical activity participation (17). A survey of 2,089 school girls aged 11 to 18 years provided evidence of the need for, and guidance on breast education for this group (17,18). The majority (87%) of girls surveyed reported ≥ one breast concern such as how to check for breast cancer, breast bounce when exercising, breast pain, what boys think about girls' breasts, and how to find a bra that fits.…”

“…Furthermore, when surveying 2,089 girls, the majority (72%) reported wanting to know more about breast cancer, with 69% rating this topic as extremely important (1). Increasing adolescent girls' knowledge of the risks of breast cancer and benefits of early detection may improve breast cancer outcome and survival, and encourage these behaviors in adulthood when breast cancer risk is greater (18,29). Moreover, adolescent girls' body satisfaction and self-esteem may be improved by teaching them about breast sizes and shapes and how breasts change over time (18).…”

“…Education on breast support and bra fit has been suggested as an effective strategy to reduce breast movement and its associated negative health consequences (2,6,11). However, the bra market with its wide choice of brands, styles and sizes can be a confusing place for adolescents, making the selection of appropriate, well-fitted bras difficult (18). The majority of women are not trained in bra sizing and fitting nor have enough knowledge to make bra purchasing decisions (16).…”

Sports bra use, preferences and fit issues among exercising females in the US, the UK and China

“…Research has found the traditional method of a tape measurement to establish bra size to be unreliable, with this method overestimating the underband size in 76% of cases and underestimating the cup size in 84% of cases (White & Scurr, 2012). Literature now suggests that females should be educated on professional bra fitting criteria to improve their ability to independently choose a well-fitted bras (Brown et al, 2018;Boschma, Smith & Lawson, 1996;Chen et al, 2019;McGhee, Steele & Munro;White & Scurr, 2012), although to date limited research has investigated sizing methods employed when purchasing sports bras.…”

How do girls’ magazines talk about breasts?

“…However, breast size is the most publicly visible breast dimension (Lynn, 2009) and plays an important role in body image (Grogan, Brownbridge, Kilgariff, & Whalley, 2012; Reaby, Hort, & Vandervord, 1994). In a survey of over 2000 female British adolescents aged 11 to 18 years, 87% reported at least one breast concern, with over a third reporting concerns about breast size (Brown et al 2017). These findings are concerning, yet unsurprising, if we consider how breast size is one of the main ways in which women’s breasts are objectified in popular culture (Seifert, 2005; Swami & Tovee, 2013; Tantleff-Dunn & Thompson, 2000).…”