Do bras cause breast cancer??

Well, there are some websites talking about bras causing breast cancer, but then some others say they don't. I'm confused!! I mean, but alot of the websites that say bras DO contribute to breast cancer have more reasons why they DO, then the websites that say bras DON'T cause breast cancer.
Here are some websites I found on the subject, but you can find more on Google!

http://magazines.ivillage.com/redbook/dh/health/articles/0,,284480_538953-2,00.html?arrivalSA=1&cobrandRef=0&arrival_freqCap=1&pba=adid=11587978

http://www.brafree.org/bffaqscancer.htm

http://www.brafree.org/bffaqscancer.htm

http://www.brafree.org/bffaqscancer.htm

http://www.all-natural.com/bras.html

http://www.007b.com/bras_breast_cancer.php

http://www.brafree.org/bffaqscancer.htm
(this is a bit off subject, but this says anti-perspent can cause breast cancer!)

So what do you think??? I'm not sure if I should scare my mom or sister by telling them that bras can cause breast cancer. But I would like to do them a favor by telling them just to go all natural! Because either way, I'd go bra-less too.

 

That seems a little ridiculous... I'll check out the links. Everything gives you cancer, though. It sucks.

 

i've read this stuff before, and well my opinion comes down to the fact that the study that says that 3 of 4 women in the study who wore bras got breast cancer obviously shows that the study group was waaaaaay too small!

i do however feel that bras contribute to loss of elasticity and strength of the ligaments that hold breasts up. personally i stopped wearing one when i was 14, and haven't even thought of going back

 

Well, I don't feel that I have much of a chest, but after having three children, two of which are twins, my boobs just aren't what they used to be. I need those underwires to perk them up a bit. I think a bra just makes them look better.

And besides, like someone else said, everything causes cancer anymore. It doesn't seem like there's much of anything you can do that someone says DOESN'T cause cancer.

Much love, peace, and happiness...

 

That's the most rediculous thing I ever heard. Does wearing underwear give you ovarian cancer? Does wearing boxer-shorts give men prostate cancer? Does wearing your hair in a ponytail give you brain cancer? Please. As long as the bra isn't so tight that it cuts off your circulation, I see no reason for any artical of clothing to cause any kind of health risk. Like the other posters said, anything can give you cancer nowadays. But, a piece of good news for the breastfeeding mothers out there: It has been shown that breast-feeding reduces your risk of breast cancer.

If you don't want to wear bras, then don't. But please don't feel that women who chose to wear bras are "unliberated". Some of us just don't want our nipplies to serve as weather vanes.

 

I did a school paper about breast cancer and bras and people who wear bras are known to have more of an increase in breast cancer then a person who doesnt wear a bra..personaly i dont wear one because breasts are natural and arnt put on your body to look good they are put on your body to nurse children and women shouldnt have to cover them up or make them a certen shape just because we want to pick up guys or give in to a socity that says you have to look a certen way to be beautiful...Natural IS Beautiful!

 

Even wearing really tight clothes with no bra cause cause the ligaments in your breasts to shrink..thus..bras and tight clothing can cause breast cancer and even make your breasts smaller..im not saying that if your a D your gonna go down to a A but still..

 

Maybe it's more to do with the material used, or how it's treated, than simply wearing a bra? Not that I believe it's a noticeable change in chances for breast cancer, but if there was genuinely a link and not some bs hoax...

 

First, this reminds me of the fun little urban legend that went around online a few years ago about underarm deodorant causing breast cancer...

Second, how reliable are these studies you're looking at? No, I don't honestly have time to go read them for myself (since I highly doubt they're credible, they don't make me concerned about my own health). However, for those of you who may be inclined to believe them, consider all of the other variables in this issue. Did the studies control for diet? Whether the women breast-fed their children? Genetic predisposition for breast cancer? Any other factors that may affect their chances? If not, why do you believe that it really is the bra, not some other factor that coincidentally corresponds with bra usage in this particular sample, that increases the cancer risk? If they do control for all confounding variables, please let me know, then it would be valuable information. Unfortunately, I'm highly skeptical.

 

Yes. Bra makers have teamed up with oncologists to create a bra that actually causes breast cancer.
Seriously, however, underwear does not in and of itself cause anything. I have read some of these studies and conclude that, especially if you are at a genetic predisposition for breast cancer, you should avoid wearing bras that are too tight or don't let 'em breathe. The real interesting study to me was how men who wear tight shorts and underwear are much more significantly putting themselves at risk for testicular cancer. Here's the thing: you'd have to wear a too-tight synthetic bra year after year, not taking it off at night, not showering, and then not nurse babies, or take birth control for too long, be a smoker and all the other health risks before wearing a bra could be a "cause" of anything.

 

Bras make it so the ligaments in your breasts dont move naturaly and makes your breasts shrink...its like not walking for years then trying to walk..those mussles are going to be small and need to be built up..breasts have mussles and actully need to move and be free in order to be healthy

 

The breast doesn't actually contain any muscles (unless you include the microscopic muscles which control milk ejection, goose bumps or nipple condition, and these are not effected by bras, there are NO skeletal or large or conscious control muscles in the breast.) The ligaments are behind the breast, not in it.

I did read a while ago about some study where societies where there were no bras have less cancer, but those also have many other reducing factors, diet, less food chemicals, higher rates of pregnancy and breastfeeding, a much lower number of menstrual periods in one's life. (all meaning less estrogen, thus less breast cancer) but the conclusions were far from convincing.

I don't wear bras often, unless I am seeing clients or going to a wedding or wake. But I still am not convinced they cause cancer.

 

Hmmmm I really wouldn't worry too much about it lol! Wear one if you want, just make sure it isn't too tight, and don't wear one if you don't want to.

 

i've gotta say, bra or no bra, one really effective way to prevent breast cancer is to breastfeed. the longer you breastfeed, the less chance you have of getting breast cancer.
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one problem i could see with bras is that they compress the lymph nodes around the breast tissue, expecially in the underarm area. the lymph system helps take away toxins, so you dont really want to interfere with that process.

 

The lymph drainage theory is one of the most prevalant. It is ceratinly plausible. I am waiting for evidence based study on this one until I agree or disagree with bras causing cancer.

Breastfeeding definately reduces your breast cancer risk!

 

I dunno, it sounds kind of shady to me. I've been involved in Girl Guides my entire life, which (for those who don't know) is a Womyn Only organization for children, teens, and adults. Unfortunately I've reached the age (a ripe old 22) that a lot of my mentors are reaching the age (into their late 40s and 50s) that they are more at risk for breast cancer. In fact, I have two friends that have had one breast removed, one friend who has had both breasts removed, one who is just beginning chemo, and one unfortunately who did not make it. The ones who have been through the chemo threatments and are trying to heal themselves (post-mastectomy, which I can't spell) have NEVER been told not to wear bras. Personally, I think if there was any medical validation to this argument, these womyn would be the first to know - their doctors would probably tell them to not wear bras. Just my two cents though... breast cancer scares the hell out of me.

 

I read that too.. but I also read that that couldn't be possible, cause the things that make the toxins go out (through sweat and such) are only out-holes, not in-holes (haha sound diry? ) so they couldn't get shoved back in, or something... hmm... who knows?

 

I do not know if wearing a bra causes breast cancer but I will say this. I stopped wearing a bra 2-3 years ago. Many reasons really, like someone said they are natural and sexy and should not be confined and the other...my breasts started hurting. I do not know if this happens to other women but it was hurting me. At first it was every once in a while and then it got more frequent. Then I decided to just go without a bra and see how that felt...its been two years and my breasts are no longer hurting me. and by the way...no question is ever stupid...just silly people lol...or something...peace and love.

 

I haven't worn a bra for awhile, if I need support i'll wear a shirt with a built in bra. Usually I'll just wear a cami with a built in bra alone or underneath a shirt I'm wearing

 

EdwardG I am not sure what you are saying. That breastfeeding doesn't prevent cancer? I don't know about "out holes." LOL. We know for sure (about 26 studies) that BF reduces cancer risk. The theories are that the amount of estrogen a womyn produces is reduced while breastfeeding, as womyn were not meant to just cycle and cycle for years. The female body, physically speaking was meant to ovualte, gestate, and then lactate for several years. Followed by a return of cycles, and an other pregnancy. Our modern life, of many cycles and few children, and short or NO breastfeeding, disrupt this perfect (for the body anyway) cycle. Of course, in our society, having many many pregnancies is often a finacial and emotional impossibility, but that IS the way the body was built.

Also, Breastfeeding "cleans" the ducts of waste materials and toxins. The beauty of this is that these do NOT harm the baby! Everybody wins.