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To Wear or Not To Wear a Bra? (updated 1 June 2002)

Dressed to Kill?
Some time ago, there was an email doing its rounds on the internet email, suggesting that wearing bras could contribute to breast cancer development. Thus far, it has not been proven scientifically. This probably had its origins from the book Dressed To Kill by medical anthropologists Sydney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer. They collected striking but preliminary evidence that wearing a bra, especially 24 hours a day could increase a woman’s risk of developing cancer dramatically. However, their study has been deemed not to meet rigorous standards of epidemiological research. Therefore, it would be premature to make any conclusions or recommendations.

Breast pain and the bra?
More excitement and alarm was created when there were media reports suggesting that research by Professor Robert Mansell of Cardiff University Hospital had indicated an increased risk of breast cancer among women who wore a bra.

Since then, Professor Mansell has set the record straight in an interview with the BBC. He had done research on about 100 women and it was a study to look for a link between experiencing breast pain and having breast cysts with wearing a bra.

He added that women should have no worry about wearing a bra as currently there is no scientific evidence to link breast cancer and wearing a bra. As for his study, more research was needed into findings on breast pain and to determine if wearing a bra would result in any long-term damage. The 7% reduction in the incidence of breast pain after women stopped wearing their bra for 3 months was seen in pre-menopausal women but had little benefit in the post menopausal women.

No scientific evidence
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that wearing a good, well-fitting bra can cause breast pain or breast cancer.

Does wearing a bra prevent sagging?
There has not been any specific study corroborating this fact. A good-fitting bra is thought to support the ligaments in the breasts to prevent them from overstretching. However, it is perhaps more the elasticity of the skin (which is largely an inherited quality) which may determine if your breasts will sag and to what degree. Owing to the gravitational toll over the years, the skin loses elasticity and the breasts lose their firmness and shape. They begin to “sag”. Large breasted women may experience sagging at an earlier age and because of the weight and size of the breasts, the degree of “sag” may therefore be more marked.

During pregnancy and lactation, the breasts may even double in size with gain in weight and when mammary glands are “expanding”. Any kind of expansion will influence shapeliness. Think of the breast like a sac. If over inflated during pregnancy or weight gain, it will resemble a deflated balloon once fat and enlarged ducts are gone. Therefore to keep breasts firm for as long as possible, keep your weight steady. 

As for breast feeding you may not save your figure if you opt for bottle feeding. So wear a good nursing bra, even at night and do not let your breasts become too full. Express milk if you have to. If “engorged’ you will stretch out your ligaments and skin. The good news is, with time and also “good inherited” skin type, the “loose” skin will tighten up again.

Should we burn the bra?
A bra that fits well can make your feel more comfortable and enhance your appearance. When you feel better about yourself it also raises your self esteem and gives you confidence.

The bra is particularly important during pregnancy and nursing when the breasts enlarge and support is needed. Some women with breast pain actually feel much better and less pain when they wear the right bra.  Exercising without a bra for some large breasted women may cause pain because of the stretching of the skin.

On the other hand, wearing the wrong bra may cause breast symptoms that would only serve to alarm oneself! Too tight straps, straps cutting into the shoulder blades, squeezing the breasts into bras with cup sizes that are too small will not benefit you in any way. Flesh should not bulge from the sides of the bra or the back. Wearing the bra the right way is also important.  Push up bras may be used for “cosmetic” reasons but should not be worn on a daily basis as they may not always be comfortable. To help women find the “right” bra and wear it the right way, we have included some tips below.
 

Finding the “RIGHT” bra of the right fit

Any weight loss or gain or if you have had a baby or nursed or if you have been wearing the same bra model and size for years, it is time to check your fit. 

Find your Band Size
Measure around your chest directly under your breasts and add 5 inches. If you get an odd number (say 33 inches), round up to the next even number.

Calculate your Cup Size
Place the tape measure around your chest across the nipples (tape should be firmly stretched but not tight). The difference between this measure and your band size determines your cup.

It is time to check your fit if you have lost or gained weight; if you have had a baby or nursed or if you have been wearing the same bra model and size for years.

Find your Band Size
Measure around your chest directly under your breasts and add 5 inches. If you get an odd number (say 33 inches), round up to the next even number.

Calculate your Cup Size
Place the tape measure around your chest across the nipples (tape should be firmly stretched but not tight). The difference between this measure and your band size determines your cup.

IF there’s no difference, you are AA, a one-inch difference makes you an A, 2 inches a B and so on to 4 inches for a D. 

You may have to find different styles and check for fit. Puckering is a sign the bra is too big, and if your breasts are “hanging” over, then, the cup is too small or cut too low. For the sports ladies out there, with high impact activities, you will need to find a cup that is molded and stabilising straps. If you do not wear a bra during exercise, the suspensory ligaments and skin of the breasts may become stretched and if you have relatively large breasts, this may induce pain. 

Beware of thin spaghetti straps as they may “cut” into your shoulder skin/muscle and even induce headaches (tension type).

Using numbers alone such as 34B is inadequate unless you are buying the same design/model of the bra and of the same brand. Depending on the style, the cutting may vary. So always try out the bra and ensure you get the right fit. Don’t hesitate to get help from a trained sales assistant for the brand of bra you are buying.
 

How to wear a bra correctly? How will I know it is the “Right Fit”?

Slip your hands through the shoulder straps and while holding the under-bust bands of the bra, lean your upper body forwards and bend downwards to allow your breasts to fall into the cups of the bra. Then, return to normal standing position and fasten the hooks of the under-bust band. Adjust the shoulder straps so that they do not cut into the flesh or keep falling off.

With one hand holding the side of the bra, insert the other hand in between the breast and the bra cup and pull the excess flesh from the underarm area into the breast cup. Repeat for the other side. (This step may not be necessary in all women). Make sure the breasts fit snugly into the bra cups.

Ensure that the nipples are in the centre seams of the bra cups. Stand up straight to see if the front under bust band and the back band is at the same level. Lift your arms up and a well fitted bra should not move up. When you wear the right bra, you should feel comfortable.

An ill fitting bra can cause red imprints on your skin, ride up the back, dig into the back, result in flesh bulging from the sides and back and also cause pain. A cup size that is too small can pinch and be uncomfortable. Well endowed women should wear bras with full cups and the breasts should not be “overflowing” from their bra cups.
 

Exercises for the breasts?

Unfortunately there are no muscles to “tone” up in the breast! However, exercise can tone and develop your chest wall muscles, the platform on which the breasts sit. This may give your breast a “lift”.

What happens when you exercise without a bra?
You may feel some pain because the connective tissue is strained by the weight of the breasts’ free flopping tissue and lobules and stretched skin. If you have large breasts, a bra with good support will help ease back strain. However, you will not be doing medical harm if you decide not to wear a bra. 

Large breasts: In some girls at puberty, the breasts rapidly enlarge and become heavy. If well supported, large breasts need not cause any problems. If the size and weight of your breasts causes you discomfort you may need to see a doctor and consider your options. Large breasts tend to be melon shaped, heavy and this causes them to hang down and lie close to the chest wall.

Take Charge of
your own Breast Health

Remember that fear of the disease does not make it go away. Life is made up of choices and decisions. It is up to us
to make the best
decision or choices for ourselves.