Breast Ironing in Cameroon

CAMEROON - MAY 2007: In Cameroon, there is a tradition of ironing girls' breats during puberty to delay their growth so as to reduce their attractivness to men, and to delay womanhood. Mothers use hot stones, petrol massages and magic incantations. This practice is very common and dangerous. The consequences can be very serious. Sometimes the breasts never grow again, preventing milk production for their babies in the future, but can also lead to developments of abcesses and cancer. Wealthy families prefer to use a special belt to press the small breasts to prevent them from growing. (Photo by Veronique de Viguerie/Getty Images)