Breast measurement

{{Short description|For size, shape, or developmental state}} '''Breast measurement''' involves the measurement of the breasts for quantifying physical characteristics such as size, shape, and developmental state.<ref name="pmid25338712" /> A variety of different approaches have been employed for measuring the breasts.<ref name="pmid25338712" />

==Tanner staging== thumb|right|200px|The Tanner scale for measuring breast maturation during puberty. {{Main|Tanner scale}}

Tanner staging can be used to assess the developmental state of the breasts during puberty, from childhood (Tanner stage 1) to adulthood (Tanner stage 5).<ref name="Tanner1986">{{cite journal | last=Tanner | first=J.M. | title=1 Normal growth and techniques of growth assessment | journal=Clinics in Endocrinology and Metabolism | volume=15 | issue=3 | date=1986 | doi=10.1016/S0300-595X(86)80005-6 | pages=411–451| pmid=3533329 }}</ref><ref name="pmid5785179">{{cite journal | vauthors = Marshall WA, Tanner JM | title = Variations in pattern of pubertal changes in girls | journal = Arch Dis Child | volume = 44 | issue = 235 | pages = 291–303 | date = June 1969 | pmid = 5785179 | pmc = 2020314 | doi = 10.1136/adc.44.235.291 | url = }}</ref><ref name="pmid34690336">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kadakia R, O'Brien E, Habiby R | title = Creation of a Novel Hands-on Model to Teach Breast Tanner Staging to Pediatric Learners | journal = Simul Healthc | volume = 17 | issue = 5 | pages = 343–347 | date = October 2022 | pmid = 34690336 | doi = 10.1097/SIH.0000000000000614 | url = }}</ref>

==Breast volume== Breast volume is a method of measuring the size of the breasts.<ref name="pmid25338712">{{cite journal | vauthors = Xi W, Perdanasari AT, Ong Y, Han S, Min P, Su W, Feng S, Pacchioni L, Zhang YX, Lazzeri D | title = Objective breast volume, shape and surface area assessment: a systematic review of breast measurement methods | journal = Aesthetic Plast Surg | volume = 38 | issue = 6 | pages = 1116–30 | date = December 2014 | pmid = 25338712 | doi = 10.1007/s00266-014-0412-5 | s2cid = 12333281 | url = }}</ref><ref name="pmid27288864">{{cite journal | vauthors = Choppin SB, Wheat JS, Gee M, Goyal A | title = The accuracy of breast volume measurement methods: A systematic review | journal = Breast | volume = 28 | issue = | pages = 121–9 | date = August 2016 | pmid = 27288864 | doi = 10.1016/j.breast.2016.05.010 | url = | doi-access = free }}</ref> A variety of techniques have been used to measure breast volume, including water displacement, plaster casting, medical imaging (e.g., mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound), and 3D scanning.<ref name="pmid27288864" /><ref name="pmid25338712" /> There is substantial measurement error with many breast volume measures, but MRI imaging appears to have among the lowest error and hence to be the most accurate measure.<ref name="pmid25338712" /><ref name="pmid27288864" /> However, 3D scanning might have the potential to become the new gold standard for clinical assessment.<ref name="pmid33299702">{{cite journal | vauthors = Killaars RC, ((Preuβ ML)), de Vos NJ, van Berlo CC, Lobbes MB, van der Hulst RR, Piatkowski AA | title = Clinical Assessment of Breast Volume: Can 3D Imaging Be the Gold Standard? | journal = Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open | volume = 8 | issue = 11 | article-number = e3236 | date = November 2020 | pmid = 33299702 | pmc = 7722547 | doi = 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003236 | url = }}</ref><ref name="pmid35034560">{{cite journal | vauthors = Bai L, Lundström O, Johansson H, Meybodi F, Arver B, Sandelin K, Wickman M, Brandberg Y | title = Clinical assessment of breast symmetry and aesthetic outcome: can 3D imaging be the gold standard? | journal = J Plast Surg Hand Surg | volume = 57 | issue = 1–6 | pages = 145–152 | date = 2023 | pmid = 35034560 | doi = 10.1080/2000656X.2021.2024553 | url = | doi-access = free }}</ref> A limitation of 3D scanning is inaccuracy in the case of large and/or ptotic.<ref name="pmid26395095">{{cite journal | vauthors = Yang J, Zhang R, Shen J, Hu Y, Lv Q | title = The Three-Dimensional Techniques in the Objective Measurement of Breast Aesthetics | journal = Aesthetic Plast Surg | volume = 39 | issue = 6 | pages = 910–5 | date = December 2015 | pmid = 26395095 | doi = 10.1007/s00266-015-0560-2 | url = }}</ref>

In a normative study of breast volumes in cisgender women using 3D scanning, breast volumes were median 515{{nbsp}}mL, mean 650{{nbsp}}mL, interquartile range 310 to 850{{nbsp}}mL, and range ~50 to 3,100{{nbsp}}mL.<ref name="pmid28532249">{{cite journal | vauthors = Coltman CE, Steele JR, McGhee DE | title = Breast volume is affected by body mass index but not age | journal = Ergonomics | volume = 60 | issue = 11 | pages = 1576–1585 | date = November 2017 | pmid = 28532249 | doi = 10.1080/00140139.2017.1330968 | s2cid = 1287452 | url = }}</ref> In transgender women, breast volume measured with 3D scanning has been reported to reach a plateau of around 100{{nbsp}}mL (but with an apparent range of up to 750{{nbsp}}mL) after 3 to 4{{nbsp}}years of hormone therapy.<ref name="pmid33206172">{{cite journal | vauthors = de Blok CJ, Dijkman BA, Wiepjes CM, Staphorsius AS, Timmermans FW, Smit JM, Dreijerink KM, den Heijer M | title = Sustained Breast Development and Breast Anthropometric Changes in 3 Years of Gender-Affirming Hormone Treatment | journal = J Clin Endocrinol Metab | volume = 106 | issue = 2 | pages = e782–e790 | date = January 2021 | pmid = 33206172 | doi = 10.1210/clinem/dgaa841 | url = | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name="">{{cite web | url=https://abstracts.eurospe.org/hrp/0095/hrp0095p1-379 | title=The effect of timing of puberty suppression on breast development in trans girls; a cross-sectional study | date=29 August 2022 | volume=95 }}</ref>

Breast volume has also been assessed with the BreastIdea Volume Estimator (BIVE), a freely available web application that uses user-provided photographs and anthropometric measurements to calculate estimations of breast volume.<ref name="pmid31372741">{{cite journal | vauthors = Mikołajczyk M, Kasielska-Trojan A, Antoszewski B | title = A New Tool for Breast Anthropometric Measurements: Presentation and Validation for Women and Men | journal = Aesthetic Plast Surg | volume = 43 | issue = 5 | pages = 1160–1170 | date = October 2019 | pmid = 31372741 | pmc = 6746688 | doi = 10.1007/s00266-019-01467-6 | url = }}</ref><ref name="pmid33234954">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kasielska-Trojan A, Mikołajczyk M, Antoszewski B | title = BreastIdea Volume Estimator: A New Tool for Breast Volume Estimation-Presentation and Validation for Women | journal = Plast Reconstr Surg | volume = 146 | issue = 6 | pages = 744e–748e | date = December 2020 | pmid = 33234954 | doi = 10.1097/PRS.0000000000007373 | url = }}</ref><ref name="BreastIdea">{{cite web | title = BreastIdea | url = https://breastidea.com/ | access-date = 4 April 2024}}</ref> It has been studied and validated in cisgender women and men, women with macromastia or gigantomastia, and transgender women.<ref name="pmid31372741" /><ref name="pmid33234954" /><ref name="pmid36554776">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kasielska-Trojan A, Zawadzki T, Antoszewski B | title = Breast Fluctuating Asymmetry in Women with Macromastia/Gigantomastia | journal = Int J Environ Res Public Health | volume = 19 | issue = 24 | date = December 2022 | article-number = 16895 | pmid = 36554776 | pmc = 9779403 | doi = 10.3390/ijerph192416895 | doi-access = free | url = }}</ref><ref name="AngusMikolajczykCheung2022">{{cite conference | last1 = Angus | first1 = L. | last2 = Mikolajczyk | first2 = M. | last3 = Cheung | first3 = A. | last4 = Zajac | first4 = J. | last5 = Antoszewski | first5 = B. | last6 = Kasielska-Trojan | first6 = A. | title = Estimation of breast volume in transgender women using 2D photography: validation of the BreastIdea Volume Estimator in men and transgender women | date = November 2022 | conference = ESA/SRB/APEG/NZSE ASM 2022 | location = Christchurch | page = 127 | url = https://www.endocrinesociety.org.au/esa-srb-apeg-nzse-2022-program_abstracts.pdf#page=127}}</ref><ref name="AngusLeemaqzZajac2023">{{cite conference | last1 = Angus | first1 = L. M. | last2 = Leemaqz | first2 = S. Y. | last3 = Zajac | first3 = J. D. | last4 = Cheung | first4 = A. S. | title = The effect of cyproterone and spironolactone on breast development in transgender women: a randomised controlled trial | date = November 2023 | conference = ESA/SRB/ENSA 2023 ASM | location = Brisbane | pages = 54–55 | url = https://www.endocrinesociety.org.au/All%20abstracts%202023%20ESA&SRB.pdf#page=54}}</ref> Average breast volumes have been reported to be 272 to 283{{nbsp}}mL (range 99–694{{nbsp}}mL in one study) in cisgender women,<ref name="pmid33234954" /><ref name="pmid36554776" /> 888{{nbsp}}mL in women with macromastia or gigantomastia,<ref name="pmid36554776" /> and 158 to 190{{nbsp}}mL (range 20–788{{nbsp}}mL) in transgender women after 6{{nbsp}}months of hormone therapy.<ref name="AngusLeemaqzZajac2023" /> The resolution and accuracy of the BIVE is less than with 3D scanners.<ref name="pmid31372741" />

==Breast circumference== thumb|left|175px|class=skin-invert-image|The upper tape measure is breast circumference and the lower tape measure is underbust circumference.

Breast circumference, also known as bust circumference, is a measurement of the circumference of the torso at the level of the breasts. It has been used as a measure of breast size in normal young women,<ref name="pmid31562583">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kościński K, Makarewicz R, Bartoszewicz Z | title = Stereotypical and Actual Associations of Breast Size with Mating-Relevant Traits | journal = Arch Sex Behav | volume = 49 | issue = 3 | pages = 821–836 | date = April 2020 | pmid = 31562583 | pmc = 7058577 | doi = 10.1007/s10508-019-1464-z | url = }}</ref> in women with pregnancy,<ref name="pmid21544894">{{cite journal | vauthors = Galbarczyk A | title = Unexpected changes in maternal breast size during pregnancy in relation to infant sex: an evolutionary interpretation | journal = Am J Hum Biol | volume = 23 | issue = 4 | pages = 560–2 | date = 2011 | pmid = 21544894 | doi = 10.1002/ajhb.21177 | s2cid = 37965869 | url = }}</ref><ref name="Drąsutis2017">Drąsutis, J. (2017). Krūtų morfologinių parametrų, kūno dydžio bei formos ir kraujo serumo prolaktino bei lipidų kitimai per nėštumą, daugialypės šių rodiklių sąsajos ir sveikatos rizikos morfologiniai žymenys (Doctoral dissertation, Vilniaus universitetas). https://epublications.vu.lt/object/elaba:23065971/</ref> and in transgender women.<ref name="AsschemanGoorenMegens1989">{{cite book | author-last1 = Asscheman | author-first1 = H | author-last2 = Gooren | author-first2 = LJG | author-last3 = Megens | author-first3 = J | chapter = Physical Changes During Hormonal Treatment in Male-to-Female Transsexuals | pages = 14–15 | editor-last = Billowitz | editor-first = A | title = Proceedings of the XIth Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association Symposium, Cleveland, Ohio, September 20–23, 1989 | year = 1989 | location = Palo Alto, California | publisher = Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association | url = https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cluster=11593636519491022859}}</ref><ref name="pmid11484531">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kanhai RC, Hage JJ, Karim RB | title = Augmentation mammaplasty in male-to-female trans-sexuals: facts and figures from Amsterdam | journal = Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg | volume = 35 | issue = 2 | pages = 203–6 | date = June 2001 | pmid = 11484531 | doi = 10.1080/028443101300165354 | s2cid = 218855372 | url = }}</ref><ref name="pmid24828032">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wierckx K, Van Caenegem E, Schreiner T, Haraldsen I, Fisher AD, Toye K, Kaufman JM, T'Sjoen G | title = Cross-sex hormone therapy in trans persons is safe and effective at short-time follow-up: results from the European network for the investigation of gender incongruence | journal = J Sex Med | volume = 11 | issue = 8 | pages = 1999–2011 | date = August 2014 | pmid = 24828032 | doi = 10.1111/jsm.12571 | url = https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/5775928/file/5776208| hdl = 2158/1060207 | hdl-access = free }}</ref><ref name="deKlaverNota2016">{{cite journal | last1 = de | first1 = Blok Christel | last2 = Klaver | first2 = Maartje | last3 = Nota | first3 = Nienke | last4 = Dekker | first4 = Marieke | last5 = den | first5 = Heijer Martin | title = Breast development in male-to-female transgender patients after one year cross-sex hormonal treatment | journal = Endocrine Abstracts | date = 13 May 2016 | eissn = 1479-6848 | doi = 10.1530/endoabs.41.GP146 | pmid = | url = }}</ref> Breast circumference is generally measured using a flexible fabric tape measure, and is the circumference across the breasts over the nipples to the back. The breast–chest difference is breast circumference minus band or underbust circumference and is used in the determination of bra cup size.

Breast–chest difference, also known as bust–band difference, is a measurement used for quantifying breast size. It is calculated as bust circumference minus the band or underbust circumference. Breast–chest difference has been used in the measurement of breast development in transgender women on feminizing hormone therapy.<ref name="pmid34414268">{{cite journal | vauthors = Nolan BJ, Cheung AS | title = Relationship Between Serum Estradiol Concentrations and Clinical Outcomes in Transgender Individuals Undergoing Feminizing Hormone Therapy: A Narrative Review | journal = Transgend Health | volume = 6 | issue = 3 | pages = 125–131 | date = June 2021 | pmid = 34414268 | pmc = 8363983 | doi = 10.1089/trgh.2020.0077 | url = }}</ref><ref name="pmid33206172" /><ref name="pmid29165635">{{cite journal | vauthors = de Blok CJ, Klaver M, Wiepjes CM, Nota NM, Heijboer AC, Fisher AD, Schreiner T, T'Sjoen G, den Heijer M | title = Breast Development in Transwomen After 1 Year of Cross-Sex Hormone Therapy: Results of a Prospective Multicenter Study | journal = J Clin Endocrinol Metab | volume = 103 | issue = 2 | pages = 532–538 | date = February 2018 | pmid = 29165635 | doi = 10.1210/jc.2017-01927 | url = | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name="pmid31751300">{{cite journal | vauthors = Meyer G, Mayer M, Mondorf A, Flügel AK, Herrmann E, Bojunga J | title = Safety and rapid efficacy of guideline-based gender-affirming hormone therapy: an analysis of 388 individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria | journal = Eur J Endocrinol | volume = 182 | issue = 2 | pages = 149–156 | date = February 2020 | pmid = 31751300 | doi = 10.1530/EJE-19-0463 | url = | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name="pmid24828032" />

==Bra size== {{Main|Bra size}} {{Empty section|date=July 2024}}

==Breast hemicircumference== thumb|left|175px|class=skin-invert-image|Measurement of breast hemicircumference.<ref name="pmid3013122" />

Breast hemicircumference, also sometimes referred to as breast width or as breast circumference (incorrectly), is an anthropometric measure of the breasts which has been used in studies to assess breast development and breast size, including in transgender women.<ref name="pmid24618412">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wierckx K, Gooren L, T'Sjoen G | title = Clinical review: Breast development in trans women receiving cross-sex hormones | journal = J Sex Med | volume = 11 | issue = 5 | pages = 1240–7 | date = May 2014 | pmid = 24618412 | doi = 10.1111/jsm.12487 | url = https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/5775958/file/5776199| url-access = subscription }}</ref><ref name="pmid34414268" /><ref name="pmid6794543">{{cite journal | vauthors = Meyer WJ, Finkelstein JW, Stuart CA, Webb A, Smith ER, Payer AF, Walker PA | title = Physical and hormonal evaluation of transsexual patients during hormonal therapy | journal = Arch Sex Behav | volume = 10 | issue = 4 | pages = 347–56 | date = August 1981 | pmid = 6794543 | doi = 10.1007/BF01565538 | s2cid = 6664163 | url = }}</ref><ref name="pmid3013122">{{cite journal | vauthors = Meyer WJ, Webb A, Stuart CA, Finkelstein JW, Lawrence B, Walker PA | title = Physical and hormonal evaluation of transsexual patients: a longitudinal study | journal = Arch Sex Behav | volume = 15 | issue = 2 | pages = 121–38 | date = April 1986 | pmid = 3013122 | doi = 10.1007/BF01542220 | s2cid = 42786642 | url = }}</ref><ref name="pmid9734454">{{cite journal | vauthors = Pechter EA | title = A new method for determining bra size and predicting postaugmentation breast size | journal = Plast Reconstr Surg | volume = 102 | issue = 4 | pages = 1259–65 | date = September 1998 | pmid = 9734454 | doi = 10.1097/00006534-199809040-00056 | url = }}</ref><ref name="Pechter2009">{{cite book | year = 2009 | title = Breast Augmentation | last1 = Pechter | first1 = Edward A. | chapter = Method for Determining Bra Size and Predicting Postaugmentation Breast Size | pages = 77–83 | publisher = Springer Berlin Heidelberg | doi = 10.1007/978-3-540-78948-2_11 | isbn = 978-3-540-78947-5 | url = }}</ref><ref name="pmid18453960">{{cite journal | vauthors = Pechter EA | title = An improved technique for determining bra size with applicability to breast surgery | journal = Plast Reconstr Surg | volume = 121 | issue = 5 | pages = 348e–350e | date = May 2008 | pmid = 18453960 | doi = 10.1097/PRS.0b013e31816b1286 | url = | doi-access = free }}</ref> It is the medial horizontal length (measured with a flexible tape measure) from one side of the breast to the other side and running over the nipple.<ref name="pmid6794543" /><ref name="pmid3013122" /><ref name="pmid9734454" /> A measurement of 7{{nbsp}}inches is said to correspond to an A cup, 8{{nbsp}}inches to a B cup, 9{{nbsp}}inches to a C cup, and so on, with each further 1-inch increment or decrement corresponding to one cup size up or down.<ref name="pmid9734454" />

==Breast unit== The breast unit is a measurement of the breasts in which the breasts are measured horizontally and vertically and then these values are multiplied to given an overall idea of breast size.<ref name="CapraroDewhurst1975">{{cite journal | last1 = Capraro | first1 = Vincent J. | last2 = Dewhurst | first2 = Christopher J. | title = Breast Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence | journal = Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology | date = June 1975 | volume = 18 | issue = 2 | pages = 25–50 | issn = 0009-9201 | doi = 10.1097/00003081-197506000-00003 | pmid = 1170054 | s2cid = 26676081 | url = }}</ref><ref name="Capraro1977">{{cite book | editor = Ross Laboratories | date = 1977 | author = Vincent J. Capraro | chapter = Breast problems in adolescence | title = Adolescent Gynecology: Report of the Seventh Ross Roundtable on Critical Approaches to Common Pediatric Problems in Collaboration with the Ambulatory Pediatric Association | publisher = Ross Laboratories | pages = 25–31 | oclc = 29172030 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=UMxsAAAAMAAJ}}</ref><ref name="HuffmanDewhurstCapraro1981">{{cite book | author1 = John William Huffman | author2 = Sir Christopher John Dewhurst | author3 = Vincent J. Capraro | date = 1981 | chapter = The Breast and its Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence | title = The Gynecology of Childhood and Adolescence | edition = 2 | publisher = Saunders | pages = 542–559 | isbn = 978-0-7216-4816-3 | oclc = 1011891134 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=9LhsAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> It was devised by Vincent J. Capraro and has been used in pediatric endocrinology to quantify breast development.<ref name="CapraroDewhurst1975" /><ref name="Capraro1977" /><ref name="HuffmanDewhurstCapraro1981" /> The method has been described as follows:<ref name="HuffmanDewhurstCapraro1981" />

{{Quotation|At times it is desirable to know whether or not a girl's breasts are developing normally by observing their increasing size over a period of several months. In some cases it is also advantageous to determine whether or not differences in the sizes of the two breasts are of clinical significance. In order to more accurately measure breast size, one of us (V.J.C.) devised a technique for breast measurement. This technique may be used in following up the development of normal breasts as well as of breasts showing asymmetric development. With a centimeter tape measure, the breast is measured from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock (Fig. 23-4, A) and from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock (Fig. 23-4, B). These two measurements are multiplied, yielding a figure called the breast unit. Table 23-3 shows the typical spread of breast units in a normal adolescent.}}

The breast unit has also been used to quantify breast size in girls and women with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) and other individuals with disorders of sexual development.<ref name="pmid10946863">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wisniewski AB, Migeon CJ, Meyer-Bahlburg HF, Gearhart JP, Berkovitz GD, Brown TR, Money J | title = Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome: long-term medical, surgical, and psychosexual outcome | journal = J Clin Endocrinol Metab | volume = 85 | issue = 8 | pages = 2664–9 | date = August 2000 | pmid = 10946863 | doi = 10.1210/jcem.85.8.6742 | url = | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name="pmid11815721">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wisniewski AB, Migeon CJ, Gearhart JP, Rock JA, Berkovitz GD, Plotnick LP, Meyer-Bahlburg HF, Money J | title = Congenital micropenis: long-term medical, surgical and psychosexual follow-up of individuals raised male or female | journal = Horm Res | volume = 56 | issue = 1–2 | pages = 3–11 | date = 2001 | pmid = 11815721 | doi = 10.1159/000048083 | s2cid = 46787382 | url = }}</ref><ref name="pmid12205281">{{cite journal | vauthors = Migeon CJ, Wisniewski AB, Gearhart JP, Meyer-Bahlburg HF, Rock JA, Brown TR, Casella SJ, Maret A, Ngai KM, Money J, Berkovitz GD | title = Ambiguous genitalia with perineoscrotal hypospadias in 46,XY individuals: long-term medical, surgical, and psychosexual outcome | journal = Pediatrics | volume = 110 | issue = 3 | article-number = e31 | date = September 2002 | pmid = 12205281 | doi = 10.1542/peds.110.3.e31 | url = | doi-access = free }}</ref> It can also be reported unmultiplied (e.g., 16×14 cm to 41×31 cm in CAIS women).<ref name="pmid10946863" />

==Other breast measurements== Other measurements of the breasts, like areolar diameter, can also be determined.<ref name="pmid25338712" />

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Anthropometry Category:Breast