Wearing Bras Does Not Cause Breast Cancer - Experts

Use of Bra is great and bra are worn globally by females. Females are usually comfortable when they are wearing bra, but some females may not feel comfortable. Nature differs. However, there are rumors attached to the bras that the frequent use of bra might be the cause of the breast cancer. You might have heard about such rumors too.

Rumors of ‘bra is the cause of breast cancer‘ is not a trendy topic that we the community is discussing now adays, but such rumors are spread across the 20 years back.

Breast cancer is unknown in countries where women do not wear bras. 

Abigail Adams

Many women see their breasts as one of their most essential body characteristics. This prejudice is undoubtedly exacerbated by our society’s obsession with breasts. Women’s clothing styles, from undergarments to nightgowns to bathing suits to work suits, emphasise the breasts and the bustline. Breasts are unquestionably an American preoccupation. This preoccupation, however, may be a primary cause of cancer.

Overall, the average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13%. This means there is a 1 in 8 chance she will develop breast cancer.

American Cancer Society

1. What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that affects the breast tissue. It can develop in both men and women, but it is much more common in women. Risk factors for breast cancer include being female, older age, a personal or family history of breast cancer, and certain genetic mutations.

Breast Cancer incidence rates have increased by 0.5% per year.

American Cancer Society

2. Research on Breast Cancer

In order to clear the hazy clouds of doubts a group of researchers were always working on this issue across the globe that is the bra the real cause behind the breast cancer? Is their any relationship between breast cancer and frequent bra wearing? How many girls developing breast cancer are frequently wearing bra? Does breast cancer develop through a certain type of fabric that is used in bra? Is encasement of the bra bad for health and is that the cause of developing lumps in the breast?

Hundred of such questions related to the cause and effect relationship of the bra and the breast cancer have been investigated properly by the esteemed research community.

Breast cancer primarily affects middle-aged and older women. At the time of breast cancer diagnosis, the median age is 62.

This means that half of all women diagnosed with breast cancer are 62 or younger when they are diagnosed. Breast cancer affects only a small percentage of women under the age of 45.

American Cancer Society

3. When and Why Girls Wear Bra

Girls when they reach their puberties, their breast starts to grow in size, that is the time when they are introduced to wear bras in order to press their extruding nipples and give a smooth curvy looks to the breasts of the females. Wearing bra helps in shaping and lifting the breasts, too.

The average age for a girl to begin wearing a bra is 11 years old when they see the little breast buds or when nipples and areola (circle of skin surrounding nipples) will get darker and bigger, that is the time they invest in their first bra. Breast buds are tiny lumps that form beneath each nipple. Some females require to wear bra by the age of 8 as their bodies start growing rapidly or having a lot of fatty tissues near their breast area, while others do not require one until they are 14. 

4. Signs of Puberty in Girls

Puberty is the process of physical and hormonal changes that occurs during adolescence, when a person becomes sexually mature. In girls, puberty typically begins between the ages of 8 and 13, and is marked by a number of physical and emotional changes. Some common signs of puberty in girls include:

• Developing breasts: This is usually the first sign of puberty in girls. The breasts will continue to grow and develop over the next few years.
• Growing taller: Girls will typically experience a growth spurt during puberty, which can cause them to grow several inches in height.
• Developing pubic hair: Girls will start to grow pubic hair during puberty.
• Starting to menstruate: The onset of menstruation, or the menstrual cycle, is a key sign of puberty in girls. This typically occurs between the ages of 11 and 14, but can vary depending on individual factors.
• Developing acne: Many girls will experience acne during puberty due to hormonal changes.
• Changes in body shape: Girls will typically develop a more curvaceous body shape during puberty, with wider hips and a smaller waist.
• Emotional changes: Puberty can also bring about emotional changes, such as mood swings, increased sensitivity, and emotional outbursts.

5. The History of Wearing Bra

Historians are of the view that the first bra was worn in the era of ancient Greece. Women used to wrap their breast with the cloth or linen and hooked them at their backs for the anchorage. In 1914, Caresse Crosby was the first one to patented the first modern bra in the United States. 

Today, approximately 95% of Women in Western nations wear Bras, resulting in a multibillion-dollar market dominated by Victoria’s Secret and firms such as Hanes.

6. The Breast Sizes and the Bra Sizes

Various sizes of the bras are available in local market and on online shops. However, it’s important to note that bra sizes can vary depending on the brand, style, and type of bra. The best way to determine your correct bra size is to get measured by a professional at a lingerie or department store. This will ensure that you get a bra that fits well and provides the support you need. It’s also important to remember that your bra size can change over time, so it’s a good idea to get re-measured every few years or after major weight changes.

Some of the most commonly available bra sizes are as follows;

When people talk about breast size they usually mean the bra size. Everyone breast size is different as every breast is unique. However the average bra size used in United States is 34DD and bra size on average used in United Kingdom (UK) is 36DD.

7. Origin of Concept: Bra is the Cause of Breast Cancer

The notion that bras may cause cancer initially surfaced in a book by Sydney Ross Singer titled ‘Dressed to Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras‘ in 1995.

I ride horseback, and can’t imagine the discomfort and damage that would result. Like “avoid the sun”, this may be good advice for some people, but one size does not fit all.

Ruth K

The author of the book establish a strong case for their belief that tight-fitting, restrictive bras contribute to the development of breast cancer.

According to the book, women who wore bras for more than 12 hours a day were 125 times more likely to get chance of acquiring breast cancer than those who never wore bras at all. She said that bras constrict a woman’s lymph system, causing hazardous poisons to build up, particularly in the breast area.

8. Finding of American Cancer Society regarding Breast Cancer

According to the prestigious American Cancer Society, there is no solid evidence linking bra use to breast cancer. Their viewpoint has been well appreciated by all women who use bras in their daily activities. According to specialists from the American Cancer Society, there is no proof that underwire bras can induce lymph node compression, which can lead to breast cancer.

Wearing a bra does not cause or increase the risk of breast cancer. In fact, there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that wearing a bra can cause cancer. Some studies have suggested that wearing a bra may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer, but these studies have been criticized for being small and inconclusive.

The idea that snug fitting garments could cut off the flow of lymph fluid seems so obvious, but apparently it wasn’t.

Frederick S. Goethel

9. Being Braless Reduce your Risk of Breast Cancer?

No, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that going braless can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. In fact, some studies have suggested that wearing a bra may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer, but these studies have been criticized for being small and inconclusive.

The best way to reduce your risk of breast cancer is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your risk of breast cancer. The following are the ways to reduce the chances of breast cancer.

What can happen if you don’t wear something that’s supportive is that you can get little micro-traumas in your Cooper’s ligaments [your breast’s supportive ligaments], which can sometimes accelerate that sagging process,

Dr. Sahni

10. Ways to Reduce the Chance of Breast Cancer

There are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of breast cancer. These include:

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of breast cancer, so it’s important to maintain a healthy weight. You can do this by eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.

2. Avoid Alcohol

Consuming alcohol can increase your risk of breast cancer, so it’s best to limit your alcohol intake. The American Cancer Society recommends that women have no more than one drink per day. A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor.

It’s also important to note that alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of some breast cancer treatments, so it’s best to avoid alcohol or limit your intake if you have breast cancer.

3. Get Regular Exercise

Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity each week.

4. Limit your Exposure to Estrogen

Estrogen is a hormone that can promote the growth of breast cancer cells. You can limit your exposure to estrogen by avoiding hormone replacement therapy and certain types of birth control pills, and by eating a balanced diet that is low in estrogen.

Estrogenic cancers are types of cancer that are sensitive to the hormone estrogen. Estrogen can promote the growth of certain types of cancer cells, particularly breast cancer and endometrial cancer. These cancers are called estrogen-dependent or estrogen-sensitive, and they can be treated with medications that block the action of estrogen in the body.

Estrogen-blocking medications, such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors, can be used to treat estrogen-dependent cancers and help prevent the cancer from recurring.

5. Get Regular Mammograms

Breast cancer that is detected early, when it is tiny and has not spread, is easier to cure. Regular screening tests are the most dependable strategy to detect breast cancer early.

Getting regular mammograms is an important step in detecting breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. A mammogram is a type of X-ray that is used to create images of the breast tissue. These images can help detect changes in the breast that may be signs of cancer.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women get regular mammograms starting at age 45 (recommendations are given below). If you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend starting mammograms at an earlier age. Talk to your doctor about the best mammogram schedule for you.

Women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.

Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.

Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.

All women should understand what to expect when getting a mammogram for breast cancer screening – what the test can and cannot do.

American Cancer Society

11. Conclusion

Wearing bras does not enhance your chances of developing break cancer, according to top researchers and well-designed studies. However, lingerie experts recommend that you sleep without your bra to promote proper blood circulation.

Remember prevention is better then cure. Till now their is no well established treatment for the breast cancer. So, please take care of your breasts and your loved ones. Spread the awareness with love and respect. Illness is a harm, and a misery in itself, so be wise and try to avoid it.

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