Has anyone heard about the research in the use of bras and the link to BC? Apparently its the underwired type that gives rise to “squashed breasts” and affects the tissue. This is well known in other countries and that the effective correct measurements and use of the bra can help prevent BC.
More nonsense or is there something in this? I have relatively large breasts and have trouble getting a comfortable bra and always had enormous trouble with underwired ones that left me very uncomfortable.
Nowadays dont wear a bra if I dont want to but just has mastectomy so what for the future? Measure and correct no under wire bra - will go for comfort now.
dx
There is no evidence whatsoever that underwired bras cause breast cancer. This is one of the many myths about breast cancer. The myth probably occurs because women are so frustrated at the lack of a clear cause for bc, and they then want a cause which could be easily dealt with.
Breast cancer is complex, its causes are likely to be complex but its nothing to do with underwired bras.
Jane
Thanks JaneRA, I have a friend who has a 22 year old with breast trouble and her doctor has said that she needs to release her bra a little and not to “constrict” the breasts.
I think that cancer is just that no matter what the tea you drink or the bra you wear - I kept my mobile(s) in my jacket breast pocket!
My friend thinks the tight bra syndrom is to do with enlarged lymphs breast wise and rumour has made it something else.
Interesting to get the views though hey?
Have a great weekend.
My underwired bra was actually very useful. It rubbed on the lump, causing me the intense pain which led me to find it.
That is the other myth - that breast cancer is always painless. My tumour was agony.
I have had a mastectomy and am struggling to find decent bras to house the 5lb hunk of NHS silicone that is supposed to resemble a human breast. I’m currently trying out a non-wired total support bra from M&S which looks like something you could catapult boulders at invaders with.
Hateful piece of equipment.
I never wore a bra in my youth and hate being trussed up. Another good reason to get the other b***er whipped off.
Hello Daisy
May I recommend Bravissimo to you, you can buy online, they do a really wide range of cup sizes. After rads (and a bad reaction) I wore the top half of a swimming costume with those foam cups till my skin settled down, then progressed to a non wired bra and now have an underwired one with a high cotton content, but once I am relaxing in the evening I take it off
Louise
msmolly, you made me laugh out loud! Yes, I too have the hateful beige total support numbers - yes they work, but yes, once I have my reconstruction they will be the first things to hit the bin! The other funny (?) thing that I hadn’t anticipated after my mastectomy was that it is actually the remaining breast that causes most sartorial problems. I would happily go braless to avoid using the prosthesis, but look so unbalanced and ridiculous because of my “good” side that this is really not an option.
On the Bravissimo recommendation, I used to use them a lot, but they don’t supply post mastectomy (sorry, post-surgery) bras. However, I am using some of their sports bras which hold the prosthesis well and look like cropped tops, so that under low tops and dresses it looks as though I’m wearing a fitted vest.
Julie
Someone also recommended Bravissimo to me, but I found that nearly all their bras were underwired. I don’t wear them (not because of the myth that they cause bc), but because the end of the wires dig in where one of my scars is and cause pain… so non-wired are best for me. I have found a style I like that is a John Lewis’s own brand. It seems to be a very personal thing re what’s right for you as an individual… and most importantly, what’s comfortable!
A x
I wear underwired bras, so the hateful pink rubbery thing creeps out of the top and makes unwelcome appearances there instead of falling out the bottom! It’s freezing to put in in the winter and sticks like glue in the summer. But it was useful when my husband laughed at me ranting on about it because I threw it at him and it stuck to his head!
if the bra theory was true i must be the unluckiest lady on the planet as i have not worn a bra since age 21 [now 50ish] still got BC. lump removed still no bra but have developed mild lyphodoema and BC nurse recomends bra to help with drainage. Must have spent a small fortune trying to find somthing that dosn’t feel like a strait jacket. at the moment cheep sport crop tops from primark are doing the trick. best wishes to all
Hi all
Just changing the subject slightly - I have always worn crossover
bra and following a mastectomy I have been advised not to wear this
type of bra - I have always found the cross over very comfortable and am finding it difficult to find a substitute that gives the
same comfort. Has anybody else had this problem and do you know the reason why the crossover is nhot suitable.
Rossco
Hi all,
I’ve just had reconstruction after having a mastectomy which was my choice due to DCIS and I’ve no regrets to that decision. The only thing I did find myself fighting against was the thought of having to wear one of “those bra’s” basically only a few close friends know what has happened and not even told my Mum due to her being frail, so, needed to look as normal as poss so not to alarm her. To my amazement the breast clinic nurse who knew I wouldn’t use a mastectomy bra suggested a stick on prostethes which has been a god send,you can actually go braless,even at Christmas time I wore a backless dress and no one had any idea I had a prostethes. The only thing to remember is not to moisturize the vital area when it’s hot!!! did find I had a one hung low problem in the summer… well in fact it was around my waistline but otherwise it was fantastic and so realistic.
Bra’s after reconstruction… have been given an over the shoulder boulder holder by the hospital but its only going to be for a short time and thoughts of buying some really sexy underwear keeps the chin up so to speak. Although one bra isn’t enough due to having to wear it for 6weeks solid 24hrs a day so…after a few failed attempts with M&S, Debenham’s etc have managed to find something that fit’s and is extremely supportive and comfortable,a sports bra believe it or not from Peacocks.
It doesn’t dig in, holds the new breast in place and with good support.
I hope this may have been some help to someone
since my mx last nov i havent felt comfortable to wear any bras as they all seem to dig in and make me sore. How did you get the stick on prothesis sidney? i am happy to go without a bra but obviously look odd and uneven so maybe i should try these.
Worth thinking about. I looked at a BCC booklet yesterday and it showed a woman trying on a bra with a prosthesis and it looked like the ghastly Doreen bra, with no under-wiring, no style, in plain white and something i wouldn’t be seen dead in, disease or no disease, and whatever age I was.
I didn’t wear bras up until I developed pain in my breasts when I was about 42. I still got breast cancer. I now wear under-wired bras all the time even though you get told not to. I couldn’t wear a bra for ages after radiotherapy due to the pain, but once that went I experimented.
I don’t think it matters what you do, comfort is the main thing plus how you want to look. I prefer the look of under-wired bras and one of the benefits (?) of breast cancer was visiting Rigby and Pellar near Harrods in London for a bra fitting. I didn’t have a bra on at the time but they took one look and told me I was a 34 b . I’d been wearing 36A for years. I now wear the right size bra and at last have decent looking breasts. although the bras there are expensive, you don’t have to buy anything.
Mole
Hi Peacock
I have been trying to find a comfortable bra and breast form
and have come across a company called Trulife on looking through the
catalogue they do adhesive breast forms - they have a website and
seem to be based in Sheffield. I had a mx in December and trying to
find suitable bras is an almost impossible task.
Hope this helps you
Rossco
Thank you Rosco I will take a look at that site. I am fortunate that I live in rural France, and don’t worry so much about how I look when I go to the shops, and with friends, they all understand anyway so it doesn’t matter.
But, for my self esteem I feel I need to do something. I’ve even tried sewing my own “prothesis” type thing into a vest top, but even so, its still very hot to wear.
Thank you all,
P xx
Hello Peacock
I don’t know if this is any help but after my mx the bc clinic
supplied a “comfy bra” which is a cotton shape triangle which
is filled with high quality filling that you use to stuff “toys”
no pun intended! This is then fixed inside your bra with a safety
pin - I found this - although not perfect - gave you a shape and
was good for the self esteem. The self esteem and confidence seem to take a battering.
Take care everybody
Rossco
I have just looked onto the Marks and Spencer site and they now
do a larger range of post surgery bras - under lingerie - post
sugery. Also visited my local Asda store they do a post surgery
cotton bra which is very soft and comes in lots of sizes and cup
sizes £6 the one I brought was too large so have to go down a size
Take care everybody
Rossco