It's 2024, but there's still plenty of unhelpful myths and stereotypes around women's bodies - and our boobs are no exception.
There's so much pressure on women for our bodies to look a certain way, and with that pressure comes unfounded myths on how to keep your breasts from sagging. Not to mention the fear-mongering claims on products that can cause breast cancer.
Sagging is a completely natural change all women will experience, and the old wives' tale of wearing a bra to bed to stop them sagging is complete nonsense according to Dr Nescohi Okeke-Igbokwe. If anything, it's just uncomfortable.
But what about the rumours that certain deodorants can lead to breast cancer, or that your boobs should be the same size? We're told so many different stories growing up about our breast health, so here's what you need to know about all the biggest myths.
Myth 1: Deodorants can lead to breast cancer
Most of us use deodorant every day, but were you ever left fearful spraying it after being told it could lead to breast cancer? Well, you don't have to worry, as the experts at Lady McAdden's breast cancer charity have dispelled this myth.
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"These claims have been around for several years, including that claims of aluminium in antiperspirants can increase your risk. There is no convincing evidence to show that this is the case," they explained.
This was further backed up by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) who said: "No, using deodorants, antiperspirants and body sprays doesn't cause cancer. Some people have wondered if aluminium in some deodorants and sprays increases cancer risk. There is no good evidence to suggest this."
CRUK then explained that the reason women are told not to use spray deodorants before a breast screening is because they can affect the results, not because they're harmful.
Myth 2: You can prevent sagging
Our obsession with anti-ageing skincare has extended to our boobs, as the internet is full of 'hacks' to prevent sagging. But for the most part, it's not something a woman can avoid, and it happens to everyone. According to Health Line, the true causes of sagging include:
- Ageing
- Collagen deficiency
- Estrogen deficiency
- Gravity
- High body mass index
- Larger breast size
- Menopause
- Multiple pregnancies
- Rapid weight loss followed by weight gain (or vice versa)
- Smoking
It's a natural part of ageing that no-one should be ashamed of, but changing certain lifestyle habits can help slow down the process. Health Line explained that managing a healthy weight, finding a well-fitting bra, and stopping smoking can reduce boob sagging. They also said: "Finding healthy ways to boost estrogen levels (such as with phytoestrogens or supplements) may improve breast shape and form. Talk to your doctor and get a test before trying to raise your estrogen levels."
Myth 3: Wearing a bra stops your boobs from sagging
This old wives' tale that's indocrinated within women from a young age is simply not true. As mentioned earlier by Dr Nescohi, there is "no evidence" that wearing a bra stops sagging. She said: "There is really no evidence to lend support to this commonly-believed myth," and added: "There are several factors that may contribute to [sagging] breasts, and ageing is one inevitable factor. Breast ptosis [breast sagging] is part of… ageing. And it's nothing to be ashamed about."
This was further validated by Grace Ma, M.D., a plastic surgeon at Piedmont who said: "There are all of these rumours out there that if you sleep in your bra, your breasts won't sag as much. That really is a myth. Unfortunately, sagging is a natural consequence of ageing. And the rate at which women's breasts droop and the degree of drooping depends on a lot of factors: cigarette smoking, weight gain, pregnancy and gravity. There really is no way to reverse or prevent that." The only benefit of sleeping in a bra may be for women with larger breasts - who need some support when laying down to prevent any pain or discomfort.
Myth 4: Only larger breasts sag
This is also untrue. All-size breasts will sag, and this is due to the ratio of breast tissue to fat tissue and not because of the size. Health experts at Richard H Lee Plastic Surgeons explained: "However, if you maintain a healthy BMI, the ratio of breast tissue to fat will work in your favour, and you will probably experience less sag over time."
Myth 5: Shift work or exposure to light at night can lead to breast cancer
There have been numerous studies into this claim, with many people debating the true effects of light at night (LAN). It's been argued that shift work and exposure to light at night may increase the risk of breast cancer - and this is due to the light decreasing the production of certain hormones which are protective against breast cancer.
Breast Cancer UK stated that: "A 2007 IARC report classified night-shift work as a 'probable cause' of breast cancer based on evidence from animal research and limited evidence of an effect on human breast cancer." They further stated that many subsequent reports have also "supported" this conclusion.
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"For example, research that involved over 2 million Chinese women found an increased risk of both breast cancer incidence and mortality, which was greater with a longer duration of night shift work." The reason night-shift workers may be at more of an increase in breast cancer risk is because of the production of melatonin. The melatonin hormone is "kept in check" by light and is produced and released into the bloodstream in a "response to darkness".
"Melatonin helps control circadian rhythms (our sort of 24-hour biological clock that helps us to sleep and wake). Night shift workers going from a day to an artificial light environment at night have lower melatonin levels," Breast Cancer UK stated.
However, The Institute of Cancer Research UK found that working night shifts is "not linked to an increased risk of breast cancer". In a new ten-year study of more than 100,000 women - funded by Breast Cancer Now - they explained that "researchers examined extensive details of women's night shift work, finding those who worked night shifts were no more likely to develop breast cancer than those who had not." There needs to be more research around this for a definite answer.
Myth 6: Transgender people cannot get breast cancer
According to Cancer Research UK, a recent study found that breast cancer was more common in trans women than in cisgender men. They state that the possible increased risk may be due to the feminising hormone that helps breasts develop.
The charity said: "A recent study found that breast cancer was more common in trans women than in cisgender men. It is possible the increased risk of breast cancer may be due to the feminising hormones that help breasts develop. Examples include oestrogens, and antiandrogens, like cyproterone acetate.
"But the study showed that breast cancer is still less common in trans women than in cisgender women, and the number of cases of breast cancer in trans women was very small. We need further research in this area to be able to draw conclusions on breast cancer risk in trans people."
While it is a myth that transgender people can't get breast cancer, the charity states: "Research into cancer in people who are trans or non-binary is limited. At the moment there is no reliable evidence of an overall increase in the risk of cancer for gender diverse people compared to cisgender people."
The BMJ also state: "Transgender women (male sex assigned at birth, female gender identity) using hormone treatment show an increased risk of breast cancer compared with the general male population." This was found in a large Dutch study published by the BMJ.
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