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Can wearing a bra affect my chances of getting breast cancer?
I recently heard that women who wear bras have a higher rates of breast cancer than those who don't. Could this be true?? If so, why is this the case?
42 yr old, Female
asked Feb 16, 2010 at 05:13PM in Women's Health
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0Votes
answered Feb 16, 2010 at 05:18PMI just read a response to this rumor on the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/16/science/16qna.html
In short, the expert form the American Cancer Society says: "There is no scientifically credible evidence of this, he said, and the proposed mechanism — that bras prevent elimination of toxins by blocking lymph flow — is not in line with scientific concepts of how breast cancer develops."-
I thought you might find this article interesting, since it seems to speak to the question of how breast cancer develops, and the potential connection between toxic buildup and breast cancer. http://www.cancercompass.com/cancer-news/article/32966.htm?c=NL20100224Jamie Inman commented Feb 24, 2010 at 05:02PM
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Thank you, Jamie. I'll be interested to see the Breast Cancer Chemical Policy Project's final report. There is also another good organization called the Silent Spring Institute that is doing research on environmental factors that may cause breast cancer.Devon Watts commented Feb 24, 2010 at 05:12PM
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2Votes
answered Feb 16, 2010 at 07:10PMBoth the New York Times and American Cancer Society have posted messages soundly trouncing any rumor about bras and breast cancer.
The best strategy is always prevention. Know your risk factors. Eat wisely. EXERCISE! Don't smoke. Drink in moderation, if at all. Have a family doctor for yearly screenings! These are simple things you can do. -
1Votes
answered Feb 16, 2010 at 07:44PMI agree with the ACS expert and Jody. There's no scientific proof that bras cause breast cancer. And I also agree that taking excellent care of yourself through diet, fitness, not smoking, etc. are helpful toward a healthy lifestyle.
I'm a breast cancer mystery: no significant family history of breast cancer, tested negative for the BRCA1 and 2 genes, did all the things that were good for me -- in other words, a doctor's dream.
But I had the disease anyway. Perhaps toxins in our environment are partially responsible? -
4Votes
answered Feb 18, 2010 at 07:57PMA long standing myth of breast cancer holds that bras (especially underwire bras) can cause breast cancer. This is a statistical flaw.
A similar error in logic says that appendectomy is associated with colon cancer. The reason is that when the right half of the colon is removed the appendix comes out with it.
Similarly women who wear bras get breast cancer, because a lot of women wear bras.
Large breasted women with dense breast tissue (who need bras) do have a slightly higher chance of developing breast cancer than those who have fatty replacement of the breast tissue, but that is not related to clothing.-
Thanks for providing this information, Dr. McGlone.Beth L. Gainer commented Feb 20, 2010 at 01:41PM
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An article from Cancer Compass, "Chemicals Suspected In Breast Cancer, US Experts Want Tests," seems to suggest a potential connection between toxic buildup and how breast cancer develops. I am not a scientist, however I am a 2time BC survivor and activist, so I am keenly interested in this topic. Please let me know if this research is germane to the original question regarding bras and breast cancer.
Thank you in advance.
http://www.cancercompass.com/cancer-news/article/32966.htm?c=NL20100224Jamie Inman commented Mar 22, 2010 at 07:39AM
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The content on or accessible through Medpedia.com is for informational purposes only. Medpedia is not a substitute for professional advice or expert medical services from a qualified health professional.
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