I’m a throwbacks to the ‘60s. I confess to participating in at least one bra burning. I know, bras can be valuable pieces of apparel at least for social and athletic purposes. However, you might consider keeping your bra for public consumption and going braless in the comfort of your own home. Certainly the last year of Covid isolation has been good for my breast health since I adjust my camera for Zooms show only my head and shoulders.
There are three major reasons why bras can be contrary to breast health:
They raise the temperature of the breasts.
They restrict oxygen and nutrient flow to the tissues.
They restrict the flow of toxin-removing lymphatic fluids.
While the medical community has not yet made a definite pronouncement, there is substantial research to show a connection between wearing a bra and a woman’s risk of breast cancer.
Let’s start with a few sobering numbers.
Sydney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer, husband and wife authors of Dressed to Kill (Avery Press, 1995), interviewed 4,730 women in five major US cities between 1991 and 1993. Their findings were impressive:
Women who wore their bras for 24 hours per day had a 3 out of 4 chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetimes. (The study included 2,056 subjects for the cancer group and 2,674 for the standard group).
Women who wore bras more than 12 hours per day, but not to bed, had a 1 in 7 risk of developing breast cancer.
Women who wore their bras less than 12 hours per day had a 1 out of 152 risk.
Women who wore bras rarely or never, had a 1 in 168 chance of getting breast cancer.
There has been little follow-up research, but it’s worth paying attention to this study showed a 125-fold difference in cancer rates between bra-free breasts and those constricted and heated by 24-hour-per-day bra-wearing.
Direct clinical research proving a link between bras and breast cancer simply does not exist and probably never will exist because drug companies fund research on new drugs that can make them money and they cannot make money on lifestyle changes that may prevent cancer.
There are many causes of breast cancer, but since it is possible that wearing a bra is one of them, it’s one risk that all of us can easily address.
Wear a bra as little as possible. In winter, I rarely wear one under sweatshirts or sweaters. Now in the summer, thinner material makes a bra a social nicety, probably a necessity considering my age and the effects of gravity.
If you must wear a bra for social purposes or comfort (many large-busted women are uncomfortable without some kind of support, so go for cotton since it is more breathable). That is doubly true for bras used for athletic support, since too much bouncing can actually tear breast supporting ligaments. Go for the least bondage and the greatest comfort you can find.
I have not worn a bra since 1976. I was bralessall of the time,work,church, my kids school,shopping and etc. I dont miss the look or the binding feeling. And no …They have not sagged. All you ladies should try it for at least a month……you wont go back
I agree, Kathy. I think that bras actually allow the breasts’supporting muscles to weaken or become lazy, resulting in sagging. Too late for me–I wish I had heard this advice in 1976.
pieces of apparel at least for social and athletic purposes. However, you might consider keeping your bra for public consumption and going braless in the comfort of your own home. Certainly the last year of Covid isolation has been good for my breast health since I adjust my camera for Zooms show only my head and shoulders. 
I have not worn a bra since 1976. I was bralessall of the time,work,church, my kids school,shopping and etc. I dont miss the look or the binding feeling. And no …They have not sagged. All you ladies should try it for at least a month……you wont go back
I agree, Kathy. I think that bras actually allow the breasts’supporting muscles to weaken or become lazy, resulting in sagging. Too late for me–I wish I had heard this advice in 1976.