“Personally, I think that wearing bras is a waste of time. I will free those titties. I no get power.”
— Elohor, a Nigerian editor and woman
Happy No Bra Day to all who celebrate! Celebrated annually on October 13, this day is not only about ditching the undergarment, but it is also about making powerful statements for early detection of breast cancer, as well as body positivity.
#Nobraday.#13th #October is always an emotional day for me. I get to stare at my scars and acknowledge what they actually mean; again. These six ugly scars symbolize my highest suffering and biggest challenge. They remind me of the 4 surgeries I have undergone in 7 years, pic.twitter.com/DbMeYLi3qU
— Gloria Chinyere (@D_ChessQueen) October 13, 2024
However, not everyone knows the true purpose of No Bra Day. Some people (read men) have hypersexualised the holiday by making it a sensual contest on social media, which I think is pretty disgusting.
It’s #NoBraDay, ladies free those tirries. pic.twitter.com/9NnqMCgBOD
— Michael (@IsamichaelReal) October 13, 2024
No bra day but not a single breast in sight !
Women are not good people— SLIGHTLY USED VIRGIN (@_dbee___) October 13, 2024
To put some normalcy back to the day, let’s share the history of how this day got to be celebrated and the experience of wearing bras by real Nigerian women.
But first, why do women even wear bras?
The answer is quite simple — for visual aesthetics. Some people enjoy the look of lifted, smooth breasts under their clothing. For a writer whom we shall call Angela,* women in Nigeria are also trained to wear bras to avoid saggy breasts and maintain perky ones.
“Women are often led to believe that saggy breasts are undesirable and that the only way to achieve perky boobs like a pubescent girl is through the constant wearing of a bra,” she explains.
Additionally, bras can offer support to improve back and chest pain if your breasts are particularly heavy. People also tend to wear high-compression sports bras while working out for optimal support while jumping, running, and doing other exercises.
A brief history of No Bra Day
No Bra Day, observed on October 13, has a rich history rooted in breast cancer awareness and empowerment. The concept originated from the first BRA Day, initiated by Toronto plastic surgeon Dr. Mitchell Brown in 2011. The inaugural event, titled “Breast Reconstruction – An Evening of Learning and Sharing,” aimed to educate women about reconstructive surgery options following mastectomy, addressing a significant gap in awareness among Canadian women.
The first No Bra Day was celebrated on July 9, 2011, by an anonymous individual known as Anastasia Doughnuts, promoting the idea online. This initial observance gained traction, with approximately 400,000 participants by 2012. In 2015, the date shifted to October 13 to align with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, solidifying its role in promoting breast health through social media campaigns and community engagement.
Over the years, No Bra Day has evolved into a global movement, encouraging women to embrace their bodies while emphasizing the importance of self-examinations and early detection of breast cancer. Its impact has extended beyond mere symbolism; it serves as a platform for advocacy and education on breast health issues.
How do Nigerian women feel about wearing bras?
I spoke with nine women, some of whom are familiar with breast cancer awareness, about how they feel about wearing bras. These women had a lot to say about the undergarments.
“The comfort of not wearing a bra is out of this world.”
The comfort of not wearing a bra was the first point most women gave as a benefit when the question was raised.
Iretomiwa, a feminist, is always grateful that she “doesn’t have anything pressing her back and shoulders” after taking off her bra at the end of the day. Angela also makes it a habit not to wear bras except for events.
“It is hard to find me wearing a bra around my street or to the marketplace. I am grateful that I also see women like me not wearing bras, and the feminist in me is comforted,” she shares.
But there is also the harassment that comes with NOT wearing a bra
Mimi, a fitness enthusiast, has become accustomed to not wearing bras after an asthma attack during her undergraduate studies at university, except when she goes to an office with older people or to the gym for exercise.
However, this doesn’t mean that she can go braless without people raising eyebrows. She shared with me her experience most times when she goes out without a bra:
“I still get harrassed (when I don’t wear a bra) by men and women outside. Random people stop to ask me what’s wrong with me or if I forgot to wear a bra. My usual response to them is to mind their own business and stop looking at a young woman’s breasts.”
“Wearing bras too much can contribute to breast cancer.”
These are the words of Omolola Pedro, an activist and journalist who told me that bras could be major contributors to breast cancer. A lady with reoccurring breast lumps, who, on the condition of anonymity, declined to share her name, also stated that according to her doctor, women who wore bras with underwires usually had a greater risk of contracting cancer.
But how true is this?
It is worth noting that this might be a myth without any evidence.
The idea that bras may cause cancer was fueled by the 1995 book “Dressed to Kill” by Sydney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer. It claims that women who wear underwire bras for 12 hours a day have a much higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who do not wear bras. They maintain that bras restrict the lymph system, which results in a buildup of toxins in the breasts.
However, according to the American Cancer Society, there is no evidence that compression of the lymph nodes by bras causes breast cancer; in reality, body fluids travel up and into the underarm lymph nodes, not towards the underwire.
Similarly, there is no sufficient evidence that going braless will help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
Good bras don’t come cheap
Popular tech entrepreneur Oluwatosin Olaseinde recently tweeted about seeing the new price of bras for about N50,000, which sparked similar sentiments from other women on how much bras cost.
Bras are going for N50,000+?
What’s going on?
I just want a good bra.— Olúwatósìn Olaseinde (@tosinolaseinde) October 5, 2024
The last one I priced was 35k and i didn’t buy. Some things are ridiculously expensive https://t.co/n3KQbIghX1
— Cyber Baby (@Bumbabilii) October 5, 2024
Lmaoooo wanted to buy Wonder Bra & the conversion to Naira was 110k.
Can’t even look at Bravissimo right now https://t.co/ShLKufCZFx
— Wonka 🥳 (@WunmiWonka) October 5, 2024
For many women, they have opted to use boob tapes or simply go braless if they have small breasts. Bigger-breasted women have opted for bralettes, which are unlined bras without underwires or a clasp.
The benefits of going braless, according to a gynecologist
Lucky Sehon, a gynecologist based in New York, mentioned a ton of benefits when it comes to going braless in her interview with Well and Good. Some of them include:
Enhanced muscle tone and breast shape
There is a widespread belief that going without a bra for an extended period leads to sagging breasts, but this is not supported by evidence. Many of Dr. Sekhon’s patients have shared that avoiding bras resulted in firmer, rounder, and perkier breasts. Initially, those with larger breasts might experience some back discomfort when they stop wearing bras.
Dr. Sekhon explains, “It can take weeks to months to build up the strength in their chest and back muscles for the breasts to become well supported without a bra.”
Improved circulation
Wearing a bra for long durations can often feel restrictive. Dr. Sekhon notes, “It can impede blood flow to the muscles in the back and chest wall, and this reduction in blood flow can lead to aching back muscles.”
The benefits of improved circulation may be more pronounced for women with larger breasts compared to those with smaller sizes. She elaborates that “bras supporting larger breasts tend to fit tighter than those worn by women with smaller breasts measuring A to B cup in size.”
Increased comfort over time
Dr. Sekhon observes that many women are accustomed to wearing bras throughout the day, which can make them feel exposed when they go braless. However, over time, women often report becoming “desensitized,” leading to a greater sense of comfort and freedom.
She adds that enhanced comfort and improved circulation may even promote better sleep. It’s worth noting that women with smaller breasts might experience less dramatic changes in comfort when going braless compared to those with larger breasts. “The weight of larger breasts can cause a lot more tension on the shoulders, especially where the bra straps sit,” she explains.
Better breast skin health
Regular bra usage can trap moisture, dirt, and sweat against the skin of the breasts, as noted by Dr. Sekhon. This environment can lead to clogged pores and skin irritation. She points out that for women with larger breasts, sweat tends to accumulate underneath, increasing the risk of skin issues, while those with smaller breasts are generally less susceptible to these problems.
How to care for your breasts
To care for your breasts and potentially lower the risk of breast cancer, consider these tips:
- Maintain a healthy weight: Aim for a balanced weight, as obesity increases risk, especially after menopause.
- Limit alcohol: Ideally, avoid alcohol; if you drink, limit it to 3-5 servings per week.
- Stay active: Engage in 150-300 minutes of moderate exercise weekly daily to boost overall health.
- Eat a nutritious diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while reducing red meat and processed foods.
- Breastfeed (for nursing mothers): If possible, breastfeeding for at least a year can lower breast cancer risk.
- Avoid smoking: While the link isn’t definitive, smoking is associated with various health risks.
- Manage stress: Incorporate stress-reducing practices like meditation or deep breathing.
Regular check-ups and mammograms are also crucial for early detection.
