What happens when your breast can’t stop growing? Ruth Makena’s battle with gigantomastia

Ruth Makena founder of Gigantomastia Foundation Photo: Courtesy

Growing up, I do not remember anything odd about my breasts. However, while a student in campus, my breasts took on a life of their own and would not stop growing. Breasts are supposed to add to a woman's femininity but mine were threatening to get in the way. In very little time, I had shot from a 36C to a 40GG! They were a burden, literally, as they were too heavy. There was nothing sexy about them as even finding a bra to fit them into was a nightmare. I had to learn to live with constant neck and back pains not to mention the discomfort of my bra digging into my shoulders. My college mates started poking fun at me and I became the laughing stock due to my humongous bust, which I later learned was a medical condition called gigantomastia.

Being an outgoing person, I decided the only way I would defend myself from men's vile comments was to embrace an aggressive personality. I would tell off anyone who dared comment anything about my appearance.