Why Wearing a Bra Probably Isn’t Healthy Comments

I hate wearing a bra! It is sooo constricting and uncomfortable. I even use extensions on the back strap so it's not tight; sometimes I think I can't breathe. I do not like the padded ones or thick material, and those I found that were not were like not wearing a bra at all, so then why wear one? Perhaps you would have to have one tailor made. I take it off right when I get home. And by the way ladies, as we get older, most of us will be sagging (especially if you do not exercise), and not just our breast. What are we going to wear to prevent everything else on our bodies from sagging?

Throughout my life (32C to age 50, now 40D at 80) I have been angered by having to hunt for bras without padding and linings (underwires I don't mind). It is not just the heat and heat rash, constricting bras are like a prosthetic devices--no natural feeling. I was in my 20's in the 50's. Enough said. I have never exercised as I should but at age 80, I don't sag (much), I wear bikinis when I swim, and bras in public. Each woman has her own needs and fears and bras should be considered as tools when needed or when comfortable, just like compression garments after surgery or when exercising or resting. But something needs to be done to compel designers to take the stuffing and pain out of bras.

Lies! They told these same lies in the 60's. Not wearing a bra will definitely flatten you like pancake. Don't believe it!

Love this interesting article. I'm 55 and grew up going braless lots--I have three daughters now all mid-to-late 20's--and was surprised by how younger women now are almost terrified to take off their bras! Some sleep with them on, and they wear them under halter tops---huh? And all that padding! Ugh! and horrors if the outline of your nipples show? I too am happy to find a resurgence of thin, underwire free, pretty and soft "bralettes". And I'm secretly happy that at least my youngest goes braless plenty and is so free and secure in herself.

Purely anecdotal here. My mother wore a bra faithfully day and night. She had breast cancer and had a full mastectomy at 40. She did die of complications of breast cancer, but it came back in her late 80's and metastasized throughout. She died at 91 after an awful bout of cancer that spread to her brain.
I have to admit that the once breast she had till 91 was very firm and never had any sagging.
Personally I would pick saggy breasts over breast cancer. Happily I am 49, breastfed my kids for 7 years between them all, and am cancer free (but kinda saggy). I wear a bra most week days for work, but am very happy to go bra free when I get home. Glad to have an excuse whether it's true or not.
Thanks

Saying that women who wear bras are linked to breast cancer is akin to saying men who get heart attacks all have noses!

Your article was very interesting. I have never found a bra they fit. But I was wondering if breast feeding was added to the tests. I've read that women that breast fed lowered they chances of breast cancer.
What have you found out about it?

Thanks for this article. Exercise is good for the pecs, posture and lymph nodes. The underwire I've seen when taking it out of my bras was made of who knows what kind of metal. Wonderful that sports bras and other bras without underwire are easily available again. I'm 64 and remember when underwire bras were not the norm - when they came on the scene they seemed retrograde, medieval !

I look at it this way if there is even a chance this might actually aggravate the lymph nodes, etc. I would try to avoid over use of the bras-exercise is good but my sister had breast cancer and I am at risk with fibrocyctic breasts. I just think the comments and the article each have something to offer. Does bra wearing aggravate those girls with implants?

I believe wearing a bra is a necceseity. I also do not let a shower beat on the breast, breaking up muscle. At 72 I have very little sagging.