by Tessa Broadwater

There is an ongoing debate in medical circles as to whether wearing bras can predispose the wearer to breast cancer. A 1978 California study showed that high breast temperature influences the growth of cancer. It examined women in different cultures that all had breast cancer, and the common variable among them was the increased temperature of their breasts. This increased heat may come from the body-hugging, restricting fabric that makes up a typical bra.

Along with increased heat, the tight framework of a bra adds unnecessary pressure on the lymph nodes, blocking lymphatic drainage. When this happens, it prevents the detoxification of the lymph nodes, thus trapping toxins in the body and potentially making bra-wearers more susceptible to breast cancer.

One of the most popular bras is the underwire model, but it may actually be the most health-damaging design. In “Can Wearing Your Bra Cause Cancer?” Dr. Joseph Mercola explains how the metal found in the underwire bra can act as an antenna, attracting electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Constant exposure to EMFs can cause molecular change in our cells, leading to possible cancer formation in the breasts.

If underwire bras are a go-to and not an easy option to give up, a healthy and beneficial fix would be to remove the metal wire and exchange it with plastic. This immediately lessons the chance of EMF being attracted to the body and could reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Additionally, constantly wearing a bra can form weak, underdeveloped pectoral muscles. This creates an undesirable response from the body’s natural ability to support the breasts, causing them to sag.

Good advice is to reduce the amount of time wearing a bra throughout the day. Many studies prove that women that wear bras less often or not at all have a significantly lower risk of breast cancer. Switch out underwire bras for a wireless style, or even camisoles with built-in bras that are less constricting. Let the body breathe.