Teaching at a yoga studio means I meet a lot of free-spirited folks. One student told me she stopped wearing underwire bras because she heard they can lead to breast cancer. This idea has been circling around that wearing a bra all day compresses the lymphatic system of the breast, resulting in accumulation of toxins that cause breast cancer. Just about every woman I know wears a bra, and most opt for the ones with supportive underwires, so are we all at risk?
To find out read more.
Here are some reassuring words straight from the American Cancer Society.
"We do not know of any epidemiologic studies published in scientific journals that suggest bras directly contribute to breast cancer risk or that lymphatic compression by bras might cause breast cancer. "
Another fact to chew on. If wearing an over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder was linked to an increased risk in breast cancer, statistics would have shown a drop in breast cancer diagnoses in the 60s when most women were burning their bras and going braless. But stats didn't drop.
So wear your push-ups, underwires, demi cups, and sports bras without fear, especially if not wearing a bra is not an option for your girls.
Per Una
I'd never give up the underwire! I have Aus C/D cups (not exactly tiny but not gargantuan), and I can't stand not having an underwire, I feel like I'm hanging around my ankles without one!
1never would I go without underwire. I have 34DDs and wear underwire bras, bathing suits, and sports bras (that look like torture devices).
2But then there's nothing like a bad underwire bra. They hurt me when I first got started with them because I'm big in that area, but I learned which name brand is the best later on.
3I think natural is always healthier, be it diet or clothing. I choose NOT to wear a bra whenever I can get away without it. I don't sag, and I'm 36 years old, and I"m HEALTHY
4I always found this cancer rumor to be one of the most bizarre.
5I don't believe the rumor but I still don't wear underwires. Ever since my reduction 3 yeas ago, they are just too painful.
6I can't imagine not wearing underwire. I'm fairly well-endowed, and I have no pain wire underwire bras. They're comfortable and supportive.
7Oh please. Bras cause cancer in the same way that walking under a ladder causes bad luck.
8I can't believe this rumor is still around. Underwires definitely don't cause cancer. Thank goodness for that because I love my underwire bras.
9Hmm, I can't decide which is funnier, that theory or the theory that your breasts won't sag if you wear a bra to bed at night.
10One of the first things to go when I get home from work or gym or a night out is the bra. I hate wearing bras. I may have C's but I feel so much better without a bra.
11Thank god! I'm a C, and it's just uncomfortable to not wear an underwire bra.
12Life is an intelligence test, ladies. If you can't understand why wearing a constrictive garment around your breasts and chest day after day, leaving red marks and indentations when you take it off, then you deserve what's coming to you. If you want to believe the ACS, which is in bed with drug companies that profit when you get breast cancer, then you are a FOOL.
13Exactly what I used to think....until I got breast cancer. Believe me, I cut those wires right out of my bra, and don't anyone dare call me an idiot unless you have breast cancer too.
14Number #13.. I don't know what sort of bra you're wearing.. but it sounds like it's not fitted properly. If you wear the right bra you shouldn't be getting marks and indentations.
15It's kinda funny how you say, "Life is an intelligence test, ladies." and then go on t type a sentence that doesn't even make sense.
i never wear mine longer then 8 hours. as soon as i can take it off - i do it.
16I've recently swapped out of underwire bras because they were pressing hard against cartlidge between my boobs. It was hurting A LOT! I even went to the doctor because I was worried something was terribly wrong.
She just told me to either stop wearing a bra or get non-unwired ones so I did the latter! I'm lucky though because I have A cups and can go braless if I want.
17I figure what makes me LOVE my body is the healthiest thing for me. I didn't own a bra before I had a kid..Then I got fitted at a good bra store and my underwire makes me feel like a million bucks. I have heard bout this debate, however, so I am glad it has come up....and I do enjoy braless sometimes too!
18I couldn't live without my underwire, then when I got pregnant I couldn't stand it. I found a maternity bra that has support like an underwire, but it has no metal. It's from a company called Design Veronique Maternity. As soon as I have my baby, I'm so wearing one of the body supports too! I found them by google.
19I think it's interesting how many people think this theory is silly and disregard it. Did any of you look for any long term studies on the relationship between breast cancer and underwires? I just looked to see if there were any evidence based articles/studies on this in peer-reviewed journals-- and there were not any. There could be no studies that suggest a relationship because no studies have been done.
For ACS to say "We do not know of any epidemiologic studies published in scientific journals that suggest bras directly contribute to breast cancer risk or that lymphatic compression by bras might cause breast cancer." is a very misleading statement because it makes it seem like it has been studied and disproved, when it hasn't.
20I'll bet the reason there have been no studies is that there is no money to be made by anyone from prevention. Studies need to have funding, and nobody is going to fund a study that has no chance of making them any money. For example, much less money is put into funding for research regarding parasitic diseases of people living in Africa and South America because many of the people affected don't have enough money to buy the drugs. I am aware that there have been massive (very public) donations from drug companies to treat these people, but if you follow along, they often stop after the first or second round of drugs, rendering treatment insufficient (the people still end up dying of the parasites that they were partially treated for).
Be a little wary of what you hear from the medical/pharmaceutical industry. They are for profit.
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