Is Your Bra Linked to Breast Cancer?

Even though bras feel like one of the seven circles of hell, is it really bad enough to cause cancer?

That's what we're diving into today: the infamous claim that wearing a bra can lead to breast cancer. Is there any truth to this claim, or are we dealing with a rumor from a vindicated teenager who is sick of the hooks not going into the loops?

We at Kofuku will figure out the facts from fiction!

First things first, let's pin down what exactly is the supposed cause of concern here. Posed by a husband-wife duo in 1995 through the book “Dressed to Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras” this wildly famous book is the reason why people strongly believe that bras cause breast cancer. What'd the book actually say:

• Sweating through your bra can block the toxins from antiperspirant chemicals enough for a buildup in the breast.

• Wearing a bra, especially an underwire one, restricts lymphatic drainage from the bottom of the breast, thereby increasing the risk of breast cancer.

Sounds pretty serious, right? Well, let's hold on a second and examine the evidence.

To begin with, the book was already proven wrong through ACS’ study. The idea that bras, particularly underwire or tight-fitting ones, obstruct lymphatic flow isn't entirely baseless though. Lymphatic drainage is crucial for removing waste and toxins from our bodies, and any restriction theoretically could pose health risks. But funnily enough, Marissa Weiss proved that bodily fluid actually travels up and out of the armpits and not down toward the underwire. It's clear that before we leap to conclusions faster than we unhook our bras at the end of the day, we need to look at what the research says.

Several studies have examined this claim and, fortunately, there's a lack of significant evidence. According to the American Cancer Society and other reputable sources, there is no scientific evidence to support the notion that wearing a bra increases the risk of breast cancer. In fact, a large-scale study conducted in 2014 and published in the journal “Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention” followed over 1,500 postmenopausal women for nearly 20 years. They found no association between bra wearing (including type, frequency, or duration) and breast cancer risk.

Marissa Weiss once again posits the theory that the frightening reality of breast cancer urges people to rationalize it in the best way they know: through slightly believable myths and misinformation that are more comforting than the truth. In a bid to spread awareness, all these myths are doing is giving the wrong information to people who are in dire need of help.

So, it's our responsibility to bust these myths wide open. We've already tackled the most common one: underwire bras restricting lymph fluids. While it's true that any tight clothing can leave marks or indentations on your skin, there's no evidence linking this to cancer development. Our lymphatic system is perfectly fine and not so easily thwarted by a little lace or padding. They've seen corsets, for god's sake!

Another myth suggests that wearing bras to bed can increase breast cancer risk. Thankfully, there are no credible studies that found this to be true.

As much as debunking can help, this disease which has caused 670,000 deaths globally in just 2022 needs to be understood on a deeper level.

Now, while bras might not be a risk factor for breast cancer, it's essential to know what is. Family history, genetic mutations (like BRCA1 and BRCA2), age, and lifestyle factors including healthy weight and alcohol consumption.

Although the gene mutations make up only about 5-10% of cases, having a family member also be diagnosed increases the risk quite significantly.

People who are on the plus side and/or overweight have larger breasts and are more prone to wearing bras for longer periods. This correlation between weight and bras is the reason people so easily believe that bras are the cause of breast cancer. Understanding the real risk factors can significantly reduce your chances of this deadly disease from developing.

It also goes to show that even though women represent 99% of breast cancer patients and have a 12.1% chance of being diagnosed at any point in their lifetime, men also do get breast cancer. Usually occurring between men of 60-70 years of age, they make up the rest of the affected 1%. Given that biological males often don't have enough breasts to need the support of a bra, this stat although very low is to be noted when blaming bras for causing cancer.

Having a rein over some of the controllable risk factors like alcohol consumption or weight management, we can thwart breast cancer through basic lifestyle choices as well.

Focus on regular screenings, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and know your family history to keep track of any hereditary illnesses and not just breast cancer.

So, what's the final verdict on bras and breast cancer?

To put it simply, there's no need to worry that your favorite brassiere is secretly plotting a coup against you. The scientific evidence overwhelmingly refutes the claim that wearing a bra, underwire or otherwise, increases your risk of breast cancer. This myth is simply a coping mechanism to deal with the fear of the unknown and uncontrollable. Even today after multiple researches, this myth persists like static cling on laundry day. So relying more on credible sources and solid research rather than the easily available baseless answer can help you separate fact from fiction.

Wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident. And if anyone tries to scare you with bra-related cancer myths again, just tell them to read a book or this blog. In a few years, it might just become the norm to know that no, bras in fact do not cause breast cancer.