By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
A bra you wear regularly may no longer fit the way it did when you bought it. Breast size and shape can change with weight fluctuations, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and age. Fit also varies between brands and styles, so the label size is only a starting point.
A comfortable bra should support you without pinching, digging, or needing constant adjustment. Breast Cancer Now recommends checking the band, cups, straps and underwire together rather than focusing on one measurement. Breast Cancer Now
Watch for these signs:
- The band rides up your back. It should sit level and feel secure.
- The cups spill over or gape. Try a different cup size or shape.
- The underwire presses on breast tissue. It should sit around the breast, without poking.
- The straps dig in or keep slipping. Check the band fit before tightening them further.
Try raising your arms and moving around while wearing the bra. If it shifts significantly, try another size or style. For exercise, a supportive sports bra may feel better than your everyday bra. A properly fitted bra can also help some women manage breast discomfort. Breast Cancer Now
You don’t need to hold on to a size that once worked. Try on several options or ask for a fitting, especially if your body has changed. Replace a bra when stretched elastic or damaged cups no longer provide comfortable support.
A bra should fit your body as it is today. And despite a persistent myth, wearing a bra does not increase breast cancer risk. breastcancer.org
Sources: BlackDoctor.com, “Most Women Wear The Wrong Size Bra – Are You One?” (article supplied); Breast Cancer Now, “Your Guide to a Well-Fitting Bra”; NHS, “Breast Pain”; Breastcancer.org, “Does Wearing a Bra Increase Breast Cancer Risk?”.