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
http://www.007b.com/bras_breast_cancer.php
,
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
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/2148.html
MORE ON BRAS
http://www.007b.com/bra_sagging.php
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, http://www.misinformedconsent.com