No Bra Day

What the day is

No Bra Day is observed on October 13. It is an awareness day that takes place during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it is promoted mostly on social media. Some participants go without a bra for the day as a conversation starter, which is entirely optional. The more useful part of the day is the topic it opens: breast cancer, how it is found, and how people can look after their own health.

The day has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters say any visible prompt can lead to useful conversations. Critics say that awareness days do not replace action, and that the focus should be on screening, research and support.

Origin and background

The origin of the day is not well documented, and it appears to have spread informally online over the last decade. What is well documented is the underlying subject. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States, apart from skin cancers, and the American Cancer Society estimates that about one in eight women will develop it over a lifetime. Men can also get breast cancer, though it is much less common.

Early detection matters a great deal. When breast cancer is found while it is still confined to the breast, the five-year survival rate is close to ninety-nine percent. Screening mammograms are the main tool, and guidelines differ slightly on when to start and how often to go. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms every two years for women aged forty to seventy-four at average risk, while the American Cancer Society allows starting at forty and suggests yearly screening from forty-five to fifty-four. Anyone with a family history or other risk factors should ask a doctor about a plan.

Signs worth having checked include a new lump or thickening, a change in the size or shape of a breast, dimpling of the skin, nipple discharge or a nipple that turns inward, and redness or scaling. Most lumps are not cancer, but they should always be looked at.

How to take part

• Schedule a mammogram or a clinical breast exam if you are due, and encourage a friend or relative to do the same.
• Learn what is normal for your own body, and report any change to a doctor promptly.
• Wear pink, share a reliable resource, or post a reminder to get screened.
• Donate to a breast cancer research or patient support organization with a clear record of how it spends money.
• Check in with someone who is going through treatment, and offer a specific kind of help, such as a meal or a ride.