By Iris Farrou
30 Sep, 2023
Breast Cancer, Breast health, Lifestyle Tips, Prevention, Procedures, Queer Health, Women's Health
boob job, breast, breast augmentation, Breast cancer, breast lift, chest masculinization, cosmetic, gender affirming surgery, how to fix breast shape, implants, lumpectomy, male breast cancer, male breast reduction, mastectomy, men with breast cancer, partial, reconstruction, reduction, remove implants, surgery, top surgery
The conversation around breast reconstruction surgeries focuses on women who have had either a mastectomy or a lumpectomy done and wish to reconstruct their breasts once they are cancer free. This is a wonderful opportunity for women who are cancer survivors, and of course, a very body-affirming procedure as well! According to 2020 data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation surgery has been in the top 5 cosmetic surgeries since 2006, followed by breast implant removals, lifts, and reductions. The highest demographic for breast procedures are women ages 40-54. Sometimes, breast reconstruction surgeries get categorized alongside cosmetic breast procedures. Though there is definitely an overlap, these are the most common breast surgeries:
- Breast augmentation that increases the size of the breasts and may affect the shape and cleavage as well.
- Breast lift, which tightens the existing tissue for a more refined breast shape.
- A combination of breast augmentation with lift, for a one-time makeover.
- Breast revision: patients update their existing implants, can change the size or shape of their breasts, or completely remove the implants.
- Breast reduction for women with excessively large breasts that affect either their body image, create physical problems, or both.
- Male breast reduction for men with excess fat and glandular tissue on their breasts.
All of these procedures reconstruct the breasts in one way or another, and the reasons are often both cosmetic and medical, as well as mental health reasons. A prime example of this is gender affirming top surgery for trans people: either chest feminization or chest masculinization. For chest feminization, surgeons will usually recommend breast augmentation with implants or fat grafting, or a combination. When it comes to chest masculinization, surgeons perform a type of mastectomy that removes breast tissue, eliminates the crease on the bottom of the breast, and reconstructs the nipples according to the patient’s preferences.
Women who have undergone double or partial mastectomy, or a lumpectomy, may choose to have breast reconstruction surgery. Patients whose breast cancer can be removed with surgery have more options on the type of surgery they get done–and can usually have immediate reconstruction surgery right after their breast cancer surgery. However, for medical and/or personal reasons, women can also choose to have delayed reconstruction surgery: months or even years later. There are two main types of post-cancer breast reconstruction surgery:
- Flap Reconstruction: this surgery uses tissue from your own body to form one or both breasts. There are several types of flaps, and the choice is made on a case by case basis. Your surgeon will consider which type is appropriate for you, and whether you safely qualify for this type.
- Implant Reconstruction: much like the cosmetic procedure, silicone or saline implants are used to reconstruct the breast tissue. Your surgeon will either lift the chest muscle and place the implant underneath, or they may place the implant above the chest muscle if they can.
Since every body and case is different, not all options may be available. Whether for medical or cosmetic reasons, consult with your surgeon about your breast surgery options, get several opinions if you can, and see if you are eligible for insurance coverage. Keep in mind some procedures may take a long time to be completed, may need to successfully happen over a period of months, or be regularly maintained to ensure your health and safety.
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The debate on breast care is ongoing with two main schools of thought: those who support the idea that bras are harmful and those who argue that bras are not harmful. Though there may be a gray area, the basic arguments surrounding the effectiveness of bras and their contribution (or not) to breast care seem to fall under these two categories. To help clear up some of the uncertainties, the following bra myths are explained.
Bra Myths
- Bras are Linked to Breast Cancer
This is probably the most common myth that circulates, claiming that wearing a bra increases the chances of developing breast cancer later in life. However, there is no scientific basis for this claim as of yet. According to a 2014 study on 1500 women, there is no correlation between wearing a bra and breast cancer risk. There are other physical and behavioral factors that contribute to the risk of breast cancer, but there is no direct correlation between those and whether you choose to wear a bra or not.
- Bras Stop Breasts from Sagging
When refuting this myth, it is important to consider that bras can rest on many places on women’s chests: some are high, some low, some more to the side, or in the middle, and the fullness changes as you go through your menstruation cycle and other hormonal factors you may be experiencing. As such, the firmness and elasticity of your skin are genetically determined and cannot be fully determined by a product whose use alters day by day. Other factors such as rapid weight gain or loss, as well as smoking may affect the elasticity of your skin.
On the other hand, there are those who claim that wearing a bra will make your breasts sag. As with the argument that a bra stops breasts from sagging, we should remember that—again—elasticity and firmness of skin is genetically determined and behavioral and physical factors may alter it.
- Most Women Wear the Wrong Bra Size
Though this statement may have an element of truth in it, there are no conclusive studies to prove that women make extremely detrimental choices when buying bras. It is understandable that there may be minor mistakes made, such as choosing a design that doesn’t quite fit your body or supports your daily activity habits, but most women will purchases bras that more or less fit their chest area and make them feel comfortable. After all, there is no specific guaranteed that we wear the right bra at any given moment, as our hormones and physical condition (swelling, sweating, sitting etc.) affect our breasts day by day.
As with most other arguments around the safety of bras, some disagree with the idea of wearing a bra in your sleep. There is no scientific evidence to prove that sleeping with a bra on will harm you, and some doctors may even recommend it if your breasts feel sore. If you do choose to sleep wearing a bra, it is recommended that you pick out a lightweight, non-underwire bra. It should not be too tight, neither have parts that dig in as you want to avoid it causing skin/breast irritation or disrupt your sleep.
Takeaway
As with anything else you do for your health, you should make sure that you are comfortable in the bras you choose to wear. Consult your doctor if you experience any persistent or unusual breast pain or if you choose to change your bra habits and are concerned about your breast health.
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