I’ve
often thought that whoever invented the bra had to be a man,
because he didn’t have to wear one. As a woman who was
never able to feel completely comfortable in a bra, and not
shy about bringing up the subject in conversation, I’ve
asked dozens of friends and colleagues how they managed to
keep their bras on for a full day. I’ve been asking
this of women for years hoping to master this trick, but I
haven’t yet been let in on the secret.
The women’s responses always baffled me. Most claimed
that the wired or non-wired contraptions were comfortable
while many were quick to recommend a style and the store where
I’d find it. I guessed a long time ago that I’d
never get the truth. Bras, in my view, are like spiked heels
or today’s low-rise jeans. Although all are uncomfortable,
and unhealthy in the case of high-healed shoes, style and
society rules always seem to prevail over comfort and common
sense.
When my mother introduced me to my training bra 39 years
ago, part of me was pleased to finally get one so that I could
lose the undershirt and avoid further ridicule by my peers.
But after I had it on for about an hour, another part of me
decided I’d have to find other more ingenious ways to
become socially acceptable at school, because wearing a bra
wasn’t going to do it for me.
My bra always ended up in my lunch or school bag, and in
later years, in my purse. Finally, I gave up on wearing one
altogether, opting for the more appropriate camisoles I’ve
been wearing for over 20 years now. And, since recent studies
have shown that wearing a bra is not the best thing for breast
health, it looks like I’ve been way ahead of the game
for years!
According to one study
by Sidney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer, bra-wearing
is linked to breast cancer. Their study showed that women
who wore their bras 24-hours daily (yes, many women wear their
bras to bed!) increased their risk of breast cancer by a 113-fold
in comparison to those women who wore theirs for 12 hours,
or less, each day. Most women believe the myth that breasts
need to be properly supported to prevent sagging when we do
not have the research to prove the necessity of breast support.
In her book Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book, Dr. Love writes:
“A mistaken popular belief maintains that wearing a
bra strengthens your breasts and prevents their eventual sagging.
But you sag because of the proportion of fat and tissue in
your breasts, and no bra changes that.”
The
bra has been around for about 100 years, and evolved from
the corset worn by women of the Renaissance era. Yesterday’s
corset was worn to help the woman look more shapely, and to
expose her breasts, and today’s bra is equally sexual
in nature. Neither was intended to be comfortable, however,
the camisole was, and you can find many styles at any department
store. Sears camisole by “Jessica” is my favourite
lately. Not only is the camisole more comfortable than a bra,
it improves the flow of lymph, which is also essential to
good breast health. The camisole’s elastic make-up will
give you the support you need for everyday wear or working
out at the gym, and it will give your breasts a more normal
appearance as opposed to the perky look of a teenager’s
chest. As women grow older, their breasts are supposed to
be at a lower position. Somebody should be telling that to
the plastic surgeons earning a living at augmenting the breasts
of mature women.
I’m not saying that all women should burn their bras,
but if some of you want to read interesting and practical
information on breast health, have a look at these sites.
I think you’ll find this literature breast liberating!
BREASTS
AND SAGGING
MORE
ON BRAS
BRAS
AND BREAST DISEASE
HOW
TO PREVENT BREAST CANCER
Lise Cloutier-Steele is a communications specialist and
a professional writer and editor. She is the author of Living
and Learning with a Child Who Stutters, and the recipient
of a Canada 125 Award in recognition of a significant contribution
to the community and to Canada for her volunteer efforts to
help the parents of children who stutter. She is also the
author of Misinformed Consent – Women’s Stories
about Unnecessary Hysterectomy., www.findings.net/misinformedconsent.html
Read another article by Lise Cloutier-Steele
Hysterectomy
– The Alleged Quick Fix with Lasting Consequences