In many indigenous cultures in Africa and South America, it is generally acceptable for both men and women to go without clothing that covers the torso. Yet in the West, women going topless in public might face prosecution for indecent exposure. William J. Mayo MD, one of the founders of the Mayo Clinic, wrote in the article “Susceptibility to Cancer,” published in the 1931 Annals of Surgery, that “Cancer of the breast occurs largely among civilized women. In those countries where breasts are allowed to be exposed, that is, are not compressed or irritated by clothing, it is rare.”

I find it sad that the mainstream media finds naked female breasts too pornographic to show, yet is comfortable showing topless pictures of trans people who have undergone cosmetic mastectomies, such as Elliot Page. Even though breast-feeding in public is now legal in all 50 states, some states have limitations and often women are made to feel very uncomfortable nursing their infants in a public setting. If Western society were less prudish about naked breasts and nipples showing through clothing, it could save lives.

The evidence connecting bras to breast cancer is compelling. Studies show that the longer the bra is worn and the tighter it is, the greater the risk of cancer. For more on this issue, read my blogs, “Say No to Bras: Can Bras Cause Breast Cancer?” and “Busting Myth-Buster Myths: Bras and Cancer According to Google.” However, in the West, we women are heavily conditioned to wear bras under our clothing and can feel almost naked without them. We don’t want everything to jiggle about when dancing or playing sports. Then, God forbid a nipple or two should be visible beneath the fabric of our clothing, especially in the workplace. That look is considered to be exceedingly unprofessional. So what can be done to mitigate the negative effects of bras? Here are some suggestions:

• If you have welts from the straps on your shoulders or marks underneath or around your breasts, the bra is too tight. Choose to wear a well-fitting bra that doesn’t leave marks on the skin.
• Avoid underwire bras as not only are they tighter and more constricting underneath the breasts, but also can act as a receiver for dirty electricity, attracting EMFs into your body.
• If you feel uncomfortable at the idea of going to work or engaging in sports bra-less, try ditching the bra as soon as you get home, and NEVER sleep in your bra.
• If you don’t like your nipples showing through your clothing, especially in professional settings, try using gel petals to cover your nipples.
• Choose clothing that hides your nipples. I only use gel petals occasionally, as I tend to wear clothes made of fabrics under which my nipples are invisible. Patterns, darker colors, thicker fabrics and dresses with linings work well. I have found plenty of attractive dresses and blouses that my nipples don’t show through.
• Wear a camisole rather than a bra.
• Gender fluid folk: avoid breast binders if at all possible, as in terms of health problems, they’re like bras on steroids. Experiment with other clothing options, such as loose-fitting double-breasted jackets with wide padded shoulders. I discuss breast binding in more detail in my blog, “Are Gender Affirming Practices Carcinogenic?”
• Try giving up your bra for a month and see how you feel. Many women report getting rid of breast pain, headaches, neck issues and back pain and even describe having increased confidence and self-esteem after going bra-free for a month. You may find you never want to go back to wearing a bra again.  Check out the International Bra-Free Study for more information on this topic.

As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I gave up bras in the hope of preventing a recurrence, not because I disliked how it felt to wear them. Yet these days, after having given up the garment for several years, I would find a bra just too uncomfortable to wear. My breasts seem to have become more toned and shapely without them. You’ve heard of Sleepless in Seattle? Well, I’m Bra-less in Maui!