Bra Cancer Risk: Does the tightness and color of the bra also increase the risk of cancer? How much truth is there in this?

Busting Bra Cancer Myths: Rumors about bra tightness and color keep floating around from time to time. Let's find out if they really cause cancer or if it's just a myth.

 

Do tight bras cause cancer?

Misconceptions About Breast Cancer: Women often worry about whether their bra style or color increases their risk of breast cancer. Such claims are especially prevalent on social media. However, scientific research shows that neither the tightness of a bra nor its color has any connection to breast cancer. Let us explain how much truth and how much myth is in this rumor.

What does research say?

According to the Breast Cancer Organization, experts believe that there is no scientific link between bras and cancer; hence, not much research has been done on this. However, the studies available clearly show that wearing a bra, the tightness of the bra, the color of the bra, or the underwire does not increase the risk of cancer. A large study in 2014 examined the bra wearing habits of 1,513 women aged 55 to 74. The research found that cup size, number of hours worn, how well the bra fits, and when one started wearing a bra, none of these factors were not associated with breast cancer.

Why was the old study misleading?

A 1991 study claimed that women who didn't wear bras had a lower risk of breast cancer. However, the data was too weak to be reliable. This difference may not be due to bras, but rather to breast size and weight. Excess weight itself is a significant risk factor for cancer, and women with larger breasts often wear bras for support. This can lead to the impression that "bras" are the culprit, when the actual culprit is "weight."

So how did the myth spread?

The 1995 book "Dressed to Kill" spread the claim that bras block the lymphatic system and prevent the body from removing toxins, which can cause cancer. However, this claim has no scientific basis. Clothing items like bras cannot block the lymphatic system.

Does the tightness of the bra block lymph flow?

The answer is no. The lymphatic system is deep within the body. Bras sit on the skin, and their pressure cannot reach a level that would restrict lymph flow. Tight bras can only cause discomfort or pain, not cancer.

Can the color of the bra cause cancer?

Absolutely not. Whether it's a black bra, a red bra, or any other dark shade, there's no link to cancer. Fabric dyes don't penetrate the skin in a way that could cause cancer.