Bras and breast cancer: is there a relationship? How to choose the one that suits us best?

MADRID, 6 May. (EDITIONS) -

The problem with many popular beliefs, which end up being false, is that since they have been repeated so many times, in the end we think they are true. This, for example, is the case of the misuse of bras and their supposed (and false) relationship with breast cancer.

"Bras do not trigger or promote breast cancer, since we need their firm support. Underwired bras, tight bras, sleeping in a bra or wearing it for more than 12 hours have no relation to the risk of contracting breast cancer," says surgeon and breast cancer expert Kristi Funk in 'Breasts' (Uranus).

For his part, Dr. Carlos Vázquez Albaladejo, president of the Spanish Senology Society, stated in an interview with Infosalus that "absolutely, there is no relationship" between wearing a bra and breast cancer. "Neither the fabric, nor the inappropriate size, nor the model, nor any other aspect related to it, influences," says the expert.

Of course, in the case of breast diseases, infections, surgery, or radiotherapy, for example, it does advise choosing the right bra, since its objective will not be aesthetic, but rather it must act while maintaining the Suspended breast, that is, with good support, which will significantly alleviate discomfort if any.

As this expert in Senology recalls, the bra is a garment that, from a medical point of view, is considered an 'orthosis', that is, it is a complement that can somehow be classified as orthopedic, and that It contributes to the external fixation of an organ such as the breast. "The complete opposite of the prostheses that are introduced into the body (breast, bones, for example)", he specifies.

With this consideration, he says that 2 circumstances converge in the breast: the aesthetic aspect that aligns with feminine beauty; and the orthotic, which is done in search of improvement in the face of any disease.

In fact, doctor Albadalejo emphasizes that when talking about healthy breasts, wearing an inappropriate bra "does not produce any type of pathology". In any case, they can cause skin irritations on the breast and nipple, derived from excessive compression, or from rubbing against inappropriate material, according to him.

Regarding the moment in which it is convenient for an adolescent to start wearing a bra, the specialist indicates that when she has a breast volume that makes it necessary. "In general terms, it usually coincides between the ages of 11 or 12, with the onset of menarche (start of menstruation)," she adds.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST BRA

Even so, the president of the Spanish Society of Senology highlights that the bra should be chosen according to the thoracic perimeter (size according to contour, at the height of the submammary fold) and the cup, and according to the size of the breast (A, B, C, D, E).

"To select the right type of bra, you should go to stores that have experts in corsetry. And in the event that pathology of any kind appears, you should go to specialists in senology, of which in our country they are available in almost all public and private centers", he adds.

Another of the myths that you want to banish regarding the use of the bra and those problems that it may cause is whether or not it is bad to wear it at bedtime. "It is not bad to wear it to sleep. It is indifferent. In fact, it is good when the breast presents a pathology or has undergone surgery," says the expert. As for wearing them too tight, he acknowledges that it is not bad either, although logically it will cause discomfort in the chest due to excessive compression.