Researchers have found that women who wear bras for more than 12 hours a day have a 21 times higher risk of developing breast cancer compared with those who wear bras for a short time or not at all. For women who keep their bras on overnight, the risk rises by over 100 times. Tight-fitting bras constrict the chest and obstruct the normal drainage of lymph fluid in parts of the breast, which may cause healthy mammary gland cells to turn cancerous over time.

Prolonged Bra Wearing May Trigger Breast Cancer

A spokesperson for the U.S. National Cancer Institute once acknowledged the findings of this study, which then spread widely across major domestic websites. This has caused great anxiety among women, especially office workers, who often stay in public places for over 12 hours every day, leaving them confused about whether they should wear bras or not.

Viewpoint 1: Going Bra-Free Is Better

Middle-aged women believe they are past the age of prioritizing breast appearance, and safeguarding health should come first. Practical tips include skipping bras under thick winter and autumn clothing. In spring and summer, opt for thin, loose, breathable bras with minimal tightness, and take them off immediately upon returning home.

Viewpoint 2: Wearing a Bra Is Necessary

Young women hold that breast shape is vital to femininity, and bras are indispensable for maintaining a nice bust line. They also argue that the slight rise in cancer risk is trivial compared to keeping an attractive figure.

The Bra Is Not to Blame; Improper Use Is the Culprit

Surveys conducted by the American Cancer Research Center on the link between long bra-wearing hours and breast cancer show that prolonged wear of overly tight bras is indeed harmful to breast health, for two main reasons: ill-fitting bra sizes and excessively long daily wear time. Surveys indicate that 80 percent of women worldwide wear ill-fitting bras, and nearly all women who develop mammary disorders from prolonged bra use chose improperly sized ones.

Experts offer the following advice:

First, women should select well-fitted bras.

Second, those who have to wear bras for long hours at work or in public (especially more than 12 hours a day) should pick bras made of breathable fabric with mild compression.

In addition, undo bras after getting off work or on holidays when staying at home, allowing the breasts to rest periodically.

However, it is worth noting that completely going without a bra blindly is not advisable. Discarding bras entirely out of fear of breast diseases amounts to cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face. Bras not only protect breasts from friction and blunt impact but also support breast tissue to prevent sagging. Ditching bras completely means giving up their shaping and protective functions. According to Yang Haiyan, wearing a bra is necessary, and the key lies in choosing the right fit and controlling reasonable wearing duration.