According to The American Cancer Society, American Breast cancer Society, and BreastCancer.org, (see reference links at the bottom of the page), wearing a bra, at day, night or both, will not give you breast cancer, although they have no scientific research to support their claim. In fact, there has not been any research to date that refutes the link between breast cancer and Bras, and these organizations have shown no interest in pursuing this needed research. However, a Harvard study in 1991 did show bra-free women had a lower rate of breast cancer than bra wearing women. And a medical anthropological study published in 1995 suggested bras are the leading cause of breast cancer. The proposed method for bras causing breast cancer (the build up of "toxins" due to constriction) has been called implausible by the American Cancer Society, although many health care practitioners find it highly plausible. In fact, cancer and lymphatic experts advise women not to wear tight bras because it can impair lymphatic drainage from the arms and chest and cause lymphedema.
Some other factors that increase your risk of breast cancer are:
If your bra leaves red marks or indentation, then it is too tight. The longer a bra is worn, the more damage is done to the breast tissue. A study done on over 4700 US women found that women who wear their bras to bed, which means 24/7 of bra wearing, have a 75% chance of developing breast cancer. Conversely, bra-free women have the same low rates of breast cancer as men.
Bras should be worn as loosely as possible, certainly less than 12 hours daily, and never to bed. For more on this, see the book, Dressed To Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras, by medical anthropologists Sydney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer. You can also visit the authors' website at the Self Study Center link below this article.
The best thing to do is to try an experiment on yourself. Stop wearing a bra for a few weeks and see how you feel afterwards. Most women find that their breast pain and cysts go away. And it will help you prevent breast cancer, too.
The top answer is a controversial theory. Many experts believe the studies by Singer and Grismaijer to be flawed or at least inconclusive. You may want to see the short overview from Scientific American's site that is listed in the related links section below this article.
It is just fine to wear a bra to bed for fibrocystic disease or sore breasts for women who have breast pain caused by hormonal changes and also women who have 'cluster lumps' in their breasts. It's best to see a proper bra specialist for those that deal with women who have had a breast removed. These bras are made correctly (rather than buying in a retail store.) I suffer from sore breasts from hormonal changes and will wear a good bra to bed, but not always.
Cancer info can be found at cancer.org, the American cancer society web site. I do not believe wearing a bra to bed will cause breast cancer. I have been working in oncology for years and have never heard of this.
There is no complete scientific study on this and no indication that wearing a bra to bed will cause cancer. However, the one poster who mentioned 'ridges' from their bra has a point as far as comfort -- the bra is too constrictive. If you must wear a bra to bed then wear a comfortable one (not a push up bra).
We have no way of knowing if the study that suggested this is valid or not. The finding provided by Singer (the man who wrote the article and researched this idea) makes logical sense. It should at least be given a chance to be studied by several others. Preferably by those who don't get paid or funded by anyone with a something to gain from the under garment industry.
I really believe that there is an underlying problem here. I think we are so afraid of our natural bodies that we refuse to look further into this in fear of what others might think of us. Think about it! If we see someone walking down the street or at the local shopping center chances are that we can tell whether they are wearing a bra or not. And for the majority of us (Americans) will almost immediately think, "Go put a bra on!" For some reason we look down on women going without bras. We really need to stop this mentality. Every single woman on this planet has breasts. We all know what they look like, so there is no reason for us to have this stigma or look of disgust about not wearing bras. That's the first step.
The study seems to make logical sense. The numbers Singer gives is very, very significant. Do you really want to even take the risk of the study being right or wrong? Two women in my family have breast cancer (that I am aware of) and they both just happen to be two of the ones that wear their bras 24 hours a day, minus bathing, of course. Now is this just a coincidence? Who knows. But why take the chance before any serious research is done. Because all they are doing right now is dismissing the study as invalid and refusing to do real research into it.
Now, if for whatever reason you have an issue where your doctor wants you to wear your bra to bed, then you should never go against your doctor's advice, in my opinion. And I am not here to give any real answer to this question, only to propose the counter question. What does it hurt not to wear it to bed?
A different view:
This is the first I have ever heard of wearing bras to bed causing breast cancer.
I absolutely detest wearing bras but, being a D cup, I suffer considerable discomfort, and even pain, when I go two or three days in a row without wearing one, and obviously, I can't go in public without wearing one. But the thought of wearing them to bed is about as appealing as sleeping in barbed wire.
I have tried every kind, shape, and type of bra possible, even spending $80 each on custom fitted bras. I was stupid enough to buy 3 of them without even first making sure I would like them, but at least now I know the more expensive ones are just as uncomfortable as the less expensive ones.
So with it being uncomfortable and even painful when I don't wear a bra, and being very uncomfortable when I do wear them, there's not much in the way of middle ground here. I have found the sports bras to be among the more tolerable, as well as the no hook, all elastic, pull-on bras. But the best thing I have found recently is a camisole (shaped more like a tank top), which actually supports, but without the awful band that goes around you as a bra does. They are made of a spandex/lycra blend, have cups with 'modesty' pads which can be removed, and because they are made of the spandex/lycra blend, they give good support, but without bra lines. I love the support and comfort they offer, both of which are crucial to me!
As for the research on the theory that wearing bras to bed causes breast cancer, I think it's just that - no more than a theory. But it does make sense that the constriction of a bra worn 24/7 could interfere with circulation and the lymphatic system's ability to remove toxins.
Absolutely no!!!! No body knows how comes that some people get cancer. But one thing is sure, you will not get it by wearing your bra to bed.
But why do you want to slip with your bras. it is uncomfortable. After wearing it for 12 hours are you not happy to remove it for the night? But it is your choice.
No, never. Wearing a bra to bed can be more comfortable if you have large breasts. I would recommend a bra that doesn't have underwire, just for comfort sake - not because it will cause cancer.
No. That you can get cancer from sleeping in a bra is a popular myth.
errr.... no it doesn't! I'm am a midwife and I know that isn't true. It can destroy breast tissue if worn excessively in bed.
No! That is just another myth! The American Cancer Society says that you can NOT
No silly! Wearing a bra to bed is only bad if it's too tight. Then the only reason it is bad is because it can affect the blood pressure of the breasts.
No, you don't. No research have shown any relation between sleeping in bras and cancer. You can sleep in a bra if it makes you more comfortable.
Only if your bra is made of asbestos.
There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that wearing a bra to sleep can stop the growth of the breast. Breast growth is primarily determined by genetics, hormones, and age. It is generally recommended to wear a comfortable bra that provides support during the day, but it is not necessary to wear one while sleeping.
No, bras don't emit huge amounts of radiation that cause cancer. ~_~
Yes.Especially when you sleep with it on because its stopping your breast from growing which is probably why you have to stuff your bra in the first place
The color of your bra has no affect on breast cancer risk.
its not bad to sleep with a bra on..its just a myth when people say that your boobs wont grow if you wear a bra on at night. You can't get cancer from it but if you wear a wire bra it's not good for the breast tissue to be squeezed in all night. It is better to sleep without.
NEVER!!!! you cant get any cancer by wearing a bra!
Yes they will still grow but it is not good for the breast tissue to always be in a bra. Don't wear it when you sleep.
i herd if you wear your bra to bed you can get breast cancer
Getting breast cancer has nothing to with wearing a bra.
Depends. Some people have said if you are sleeping with a bra on, you could get breast cancer and less worse, breast pain. The Genie Bra has no hooks, compared to others. There is a higher chance of getting breast cancer. So I say there is no chance of getting cancer, but maybe pain. That's it.
No.
No, not at all.