Does wearing a tight bra cause breast cancer?

I usually choose the smallest bra size to fit my figure and accentuate my bust. Does wearing a bra that's too tight increase my risk of breast cancer? (Phuong Lien, 24 years old, Ho Chi Minh City)

Reply:

Malignant breast tumors (breast cancer) result from the abnormal growth of breast glandular cells, invading nearby organs and metastasizing to distant sites. Malignant breast tumors can occur in one or both breasts, and are more common in women than men.

Factors that increase the risk of breast cancer include gender (women are at higher risk than men), age (over 50 years old), a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption, and an unhealthy diet. Being overweight or obese, early puberty, late menopause, not breastfeeding, BRCA1-2 gene mutations, and a family history of breast cancer are also at risk.

Wearing a bra that is too tight or not clean can easily cause contact dermatitis, folliculitis, increased sweating, skin abrasions, and difficulty breathing. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove that bras restrict lymphatic drainage from the breast, increasing the accumulation of toxins. The material of the bra, whether the bra is torn or intact, and the number of hours worn each day are also not related to breast cancer.

The link between wearing bras and breast cancer needs more research to clarify. Some opinions suggesting that cosmetic surgery may lead to breast cancer are also inaccurate.

Bras help to prevent breast movement, sagging, and loss of firmness over time, and protect against injury from impact. You want to wear a bra to support your breasts and enhance your appearance, but you shouldn't wear one that's too tight as it can easily injure your breasts, put pressure on your rib cage and diaphragm, causing shortness of breath.

Women should change their bras daily and wash them thoroughly to avoid contact dermatitis and folliculitis caused by underwire digging into the skin, increased sweating, and skin abrasions.

If you notice any unusual changes in your breasts, you should visit a medical facility specializing in breast surgery to determine the cause. The doctor may request other necessary tests and provide appropriate treatment.

MSc. Dr. Huynh Ba Tan
Breast Surgery Department, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

Readers can ask questions about cancer here for doctors to answer.

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