There’s no evidence that wearing a bra – even to bed – increases your risk of breast cancer.

“Women’s breasts are seen in society as symbols of femininity, fertility and sexuality – so are the many different styles of bras worn to support, enhance and protect the mammary glands.

“Many women wear bras to bed to support large, painful or nursing breasts. Others just want to counteract any sagging. But can these decorative pieces of clothing, or the underwire, cause health problems such as cancer?

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women. More than 12,000 women each year are diagnosed with the disease, with the overall risk estimated at one in nine.

“Most women will meet someone during their lifetime who has been affected by the disease and its treatment. So it’s easy to see why women may be anxious about the risk of breast cancer.

“What is breast cancer?

“Humans are made up of millions of cells (which contain components such as DNA, chromosomes and genes) that form specialised tissues and organs such as breasts. Women’s breasts consist of lobules (mammary glands producing milk), ducts (tubes) and fatty tissue.

“When abnormal cells (cancer) grow in the body, an immune response is triggered and these cells are killed. If the body doesn’t recognise these foreign cells they multiply and start to invade other cells, tissues and organs in the body. These cancer cells then multiply into tumours or lumps in the body – or in the case of breast cancer, form lumps in breast tissue.

“Depending on their size, these lumps can sometimes be felt or seen on mammography screening. Or they may be detected using ultrasounds or biopsies. Other signs of breast cancer include:

• changes to breast shape or size,
• breast dimpling, rash or other skin changes,
• lumpiness or thickening of the breast,
• unusual or persistent breast pain,
• nipple sores or discharge,
• swelling or discomfit in armpit.

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