Bras Don’t Cause Breast Cancer

by ALLISON GOODLIN

If you want to reduce your breast cancer risk there is much you can do, but don’t stop wearing that bra. The common myth that bras cause breast cancer has been debunked according to a new study. Skipping your bra won’t reduce your cancer risk, but it is almost a certain guarantee that you’ll soon have sagging breasts.

What’s the Link between Bras and Breast Cancer?

The reasoning behind the bra and breast cancer link all comes down to lymphatic fluids. This fluid circulates throughout the body. Some believe that constricting the movement of lymphatic fluid (by wearing a bra for example) makes it more difficult for the body to filter and remove toxins leading to an increased breast cancer risk.

The study’s authors wanted to dig into this myth and discover the truth. Is there really a link between bras and breast cancer?

The study compared 469 healthy post-menopausal women with more than 1,000 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Bra-wearing habits were a primary point of comparison, everything from cup size, underwire preference, amount of time bras were worn each day, etc. The researchers found that no aspect of bra-wearing was conclusively linked to breast cancer.

What does this mean for you? Quite simply the study should remove the fear behind wearing a bra. You can safely support your breasts without worrying that you’re also increasing your cancer risk. Many women wear bras and they don’t need to feel like they are putting their bodies in jeopardy to keep their breasts looking their best.

Dr. Mary Gingrass, a respected plastic surgeon from Nashville, finds the news exciting. She explains, “As a plastic surgeon my goal is to help men and women look their best. When women skip the bra, sagging quickly follows. Take care of your breasts and wear a bra. Pregnancy, breast feeding, and life will give your breasts plenty of reasons to sag over the years; don’t speed the process by skipping your bra.”

What Can You Do to Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk?

If you’ve been avoiding bras for fear of breast cancer, research suggests that you can safely stop, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a few other lifestyle changes to reduce your breast cancer risk. Here are a few easy options you can try:

Eat Your Veggies – A healthy diet packed with fruits and vegetables is a great way to reduce your risk for many types of cancer, including breast cancer. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and kale are cancer fighting powerhouses.

Hit the Gym – Exercise helps you to reduce your breast cancer risk in a couple of different ways. Research suggests that frequent exercise cuts breast cancer risk on its own. Exercise also fights obesity, a factor that can increase your risk of getting breast cancer.

Don’t Forget Your Mammograms! Breast cancer is highly treatable if caught early and getting regular mammograms is an excellent way to catch cancer while it is still small. Talk with your doctor about whether or not you’re due for a mammogram and get one right away if you need one.

Are you wearing your bra? If you’ve been avoiding bras or underwires to reduce your breast cancer risk a new study suggests you can safely give your breasts the support they need. Bras don’t cause breast cancer.