Breast binding

Breast binding is a practice carried out by some adolescent girls and other females to flatten their chests and appear more masculine. It is generally associated with girls identifying as trans boys but some lesbians also practice breast binding. Breast binding can have harmful physiological effects on the body. Professor John Benson, Consultant Breast Surgeon, gave this advice to The Times: Chest-binding should be done under the supervision of a GP or practice nurse. It is important to be aware of how tightly it is being applied, what materials are being used and whether there are quick release catches as duct tape, for example, would be difficult to remove in an emergency. Binding can affect breathing and can also exacerbate any musculoskeletal condition. If adults wish to change their body, with the knowledge of the physical risks that entails, that is their choice, but we should think very carefully about guidelines for the under-18s .

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