Information about breast cancer

Proven: bras do not cause breast cancer

The rumor keeps popping up: bras, and underwire bras in particular, could impede the flow of lymph under the breast, causing toxins to accumulate at the level of the breasts, increasing the risk of breast cancer. It's a warped argument that persists stubbornly and keeps popping up in the media, making women very worried. Fortunately, scientists have researched this thoroughly (1).

They analyzed the bra habits of more than 1,500 women between the ages of 55 and 74, two-thirds of whom had breast cancer and one-third of whom did not. Of all these women, they collected the following data: cup size, the number of hours a day they wore a bra, from what age they wore a bra and whether or not they chose an underwire bra. The scientists took into account family prevalence of breast cancer, intake of hormone replacement therapy before menopause and having children, lest these affect the results. They concluded that there is no relationship between bras and breast cancer. Whether you wore an underwire bra day and night since puberty or resisted wearing any bra all your life makes no difference to your risk of breast cancer. We are grateful to scientists for investigating the myth and debunking it for good to reassure women.

Written by Marleen Finoulst

(1) Chen L, Malone K, Li C. Bra Wearing Not Association with Breast Cancer Risk: A Population-Based Case-Control Study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23:2181-2185.

Continue reading

Prevention
Awareness
No items found.

Night work increases breast cancer risk mostly indirectly

Women who work shifts or do night work can now sleep on both ears: they are hardly more at risk of breast cancer than other women. Provided they observe healthy living habits.
Prevention
Move
Move

Count steps instead of minutes

We are advised to be active for 150 minutes each week for a healthy life and the lowest possible risk of cancer, but counting active minutes is not so helpful. According to new research, you might as well express your activity in increments. A lot more practical.
Women walking
Prevention
Move
Move

The more you walk, the better for your health

Need another push to participate in The Pink Walk? The largest study on the benefits of walking ever published concludes that for every 500 to 1,000 extra steps a day, you boost your health. From more than 4,000 steps, a benefit is demonstrable and at 20,000 steps you still have health benefits.

Find out how you can support Pink Ribbon .

Thanks to our partners

How can you help?