Miriam Mutebi: Busting myths about bras and breast cancer
Miriam Mutebi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Does Wearing a Bra at Night Cause Cancer?
Alright, time to put this rumor to bed—literally!
Spoiler alert: the myth that wearing a bra at night can cause breast cancer is completely unfounded!
If you love the support of a good bra while you snooze, go ahead and rock it! If you prefer letting the girls breathe while you dream about your next vacation, that’s just fine too.
- Then there’s the chatter about bras, especially the tight ones, restricting circulation or trapping toxins. Guess what? Your body is not a prison, and your bra isn’t a cellmate. There’s no scientific evidence to back up these claims.
If wearing a bra at night makes you feel secure, then wear it with pride! Just be sure it’s not the one you squeezed into for that party last week—comfort is key here!
At the end of the day, whether you choose to wear a bra or not while you sleep is entirely up to you. There’s no need to stress about this one. Just another myth to toss in the trash along with those outdated beauty standards.
- People also ask if underwire bras cause cancer.
There is no association with bras which are external and the internal risk factors for breast cancer but my public service announcement (PSA) moment is..drumroll please… you do not need a smaller bra in order to achieve a push up effect..shocking right?
A well fitted bra should sit comfortably on your breast bone with little tension on your shoulders and mid back.
One should ideally get resized every 2 years as weight fluctuations may change the cup and size….yes..looking at all you ‘bra ninjas’ who have been whipping out the same special occasion bra for the last 10 years.. Again, no judgement, but make sure it still fits and that the girls are getting their due support and not threats of spills!
Remember, your health matters more than ever, and being informed is part of taking care of yourself. So, the next time someone brings up these myths, give a little laugh, share the facts and refer them to this post, and confidently do what makes you feel good!
Because when it comes to our bodies, we all deserve to feel comfortable and fabulous—day and night!”
Miriam Mutebi is a Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. She is the President of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), and past president for Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO) and on the Board of Directors of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). She is the co-founder of the Pan African Women’s Association of Surgeons and is part of the Kenya Association of Women Surgeons. She is an avid supporter for the education and support for women, especially in surgery and she aims to provide mentorship for women in surgery and to improve women’s health and surgical care in Africa. She is currently pursuing a pilot’s license in order to extend breast care services to marginalized areas.
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