London, Apr 12 : Women who are considering breast reduction surgery to prevent severe back pain can save themselves thousands of pounds - by simply wearing the correct bra size, say researchers.

According to medical experts, large breasts can lead to pain in the neck, back and shoulders.

A London hospital offering bra checks says until now, none of the women tested has been wearing the correct cup size.

Dr Alex Clarke, a clinical psychologist from the Royal Free Hospital in London, said that going for breast operations could be money wasted, when all that was really needed was a better-fitting bra.

"Women have the opportunity to be properly fitted by an expert bra fitter when they visit the clinic. This may be the first proper fitting they have had," BBC quoted her, as saying.

"To date, 100 percent of those fitted have been wearing the wrong size - this results in the weight of the breasts being carried by the shoulders rather than the chest and contributes to back pain," she added.

Professor Kefah Mokbel, a consultant breast surgeon at St George's Hospital in London, agreed with Dr Clarke.

"Research suggests that women tend to underestimate the size of their back by up to four inches, and overestimate their cup size by up to three sizes. Many breast symptoms related to discomfort in the neck and back are caused by ill-fitting bras," Mokbel said.

"However, many patients could be spared what is in fact major surgery by having a bra which is correctly fitted and offering them the right support," Mokbel added.

ANI