Bra at night?

Question

Is wearing a bra at night injurious to health? Can it cause breast cancer? Since I stay in a joint family...what is the alternative?

Answer 1

I had heard that wearing a bra over night CAN cause problems. So, I did a search and found this:

"Highly regarded studies, including one at Harvard, have shown that women who wear bras for extended periods are at much higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who do not. There is strong evidence that this is as a result of impaired lymphatic flow. Wearing a bra, especially a constricting one with underwires and/or tight straps, and especially to bed, prevents normal lymphatic flow and would likely lead to anoxia (lower than normal oxygen content), which has been related to fibrosis, which has been linked to increased cancer risk.

The logical conclusion is that bras should be used as little as possible, if at all. Breast movement should not be restricted. Scientific literature about lymphatic flow indicates that this may be as important as the constriction factor. Every subtle bounce of the breast while moving, walking, running, etc. gently massages the breast and increases lymphatic flow and thus cleans the breast of toxins and wastes that arise from cellular metabolism.

Of course, there may be other mechanisms for the damage that bras apparently cause. One such mechanism could be temperature. Breasts are external organs and have a naturally lower temperature, but this rises when a bra is worn. Cancers can be temperature-dependent; breast cancer is hormone-dependent; temperature can alter hormone function.

All these facts are well-established in medical literature. By whatever mechanism, someone will eventually explain why Singer and Grismaijer found a 125-fold difference in cancer rates between bra-free breasts and those constricted by 24-hour-per-day bra-wearing. They have written a book that is well worth reading, Dressed to Kill, Avery Press, 1995.

Singer and Grismajer suggest that you simply stop wearing one for two weeks and see how you feel. "Don't sleep in your bra!", pleads Singer. "Women who want to avoid breast cancer should wear a bra for the shortest period of time possible - certainly for less than 12 hours daily."

Push-up and sports bras are much worse than loose-fitting cotton bras. You should be able to slip two fingers under the shoulder-straps and side-panels. The higher the side-panels, the more severe the restriction of major lymph nodes. Take your bra off at home. Massage your breasts every time you remove your bra."

Even before reading this I always took the damn thing off as soon as I get home from work! I think you should let your body breathe & relax over night. If you need to cover up, wear something loose.

Answer 2

Wearing a bra at night is not bad at all. It cannot cause breast cancer. They wouldn't make bra's if it could cause breast cancer. Try wearing a sports top instead to bed. That is a type of top that has a built in bra and it is specifically designed for girls to wear. They are much more better to sleep in than a bra. They do say though that sleeping with a bra every now and then (like 3 times a week) can keep your breasts more firm in the long run.

Answer 3

It depends on how big your boobs are as to whether you feel more supported wearing a bra to sleep.
I don't think it the best thing though, as it restricts blood flow and digs into the back, which may cause backache in the long run.
If you live in a *joint family* just make sure that you cover up with a large t-shirt or something not too skimpy, so as not to run the risk of exposing yourself at night (!) but there is no need to wear a bra for that reason alone.

Answer 4

I don't really see how a bra can cause cancer at night. I wear one almost every night, and it has never effected me. I searched into the problem for (as well as myself) and heres what I have come up with:
According to the American Cancer Society, there is "no scientific or clinical basis" to an Internet rumor that claims that under-wire bras cause breast cancer. So tell your mom that there is no proof that wearing a bra — night or day — has any link to cancer.

Answer 5

Since us women wear bras all throughout the day then I suggest to take it off when you go to bed. It shouldn't matter if you wear it at night since women wear it for the majority of their lives anyway. Wearing a bra does not cause breast cancer as it's usually in the genes.

Answer 6

Yes I wear a bra at night. Why? Because I I got used to it and now I feel naked in my sleep without one. I wear a regular bra. Why? Because I like those better, i guess. And your question isn't annoying =]

Answer 7

why wearing bra when u sleep?
does anyone see u?
u feel uncomfortable during sleep?
it surely reduces the amount of air u can breath during the night as it presses your chest and your heart and lungs are moving in a lower rate.
wearing a bra though it's not dangerous for breast cancer, unless your family has a history in that and you're wearing bra with banelles for a long period of time. better consider your gynaecologist on that.
anyway,I'm definitely oppossite of wearing a bra during the night!

Answer 8

Wearing a bra will never, absolutely under no circumstances, ever, cause cancer and whether it's night or day makes no difference.

Answer 9

I was always told , not to wear a bra at night. I agree with one of your other answers if your going to wear a bra at night wear a sports bra.

Answer 10

I recommend getting a sports bra, it's comfortable and doesn't feel like you are wearing a bra at night. Wearing a bra at night isn't bad, its just uncomfortable.

Answer 11

Wearing a bra at night might be uncomfortable but it isn't going to cause you any lasting damage. I would suggest wearing one that doesn't have an underwire for sleeping though.