#NoBraDay - Why You Shouldn't Wear a Bra Today [photos]

It's October 13; another #NoBraDay.

Every year, this day is set aside to sensitize women on Breast cancer. Breast cancer is currently one of the leading cause of death in women. Worldwide incidence of breast cancer has increased by more than 20 percent worldwide since 2008.

According to American Cancer Society, most doctors feel that early detection tests of breast cancer save thousands of lives each year. A study by Cancer Research UK states that ''cancer that’s diagnosed at an early stage, before it’s had the chance to get too big or spread is more likely to be treated successfully''.

The first step to early detection of Breast cancer is 'Take off your bra'. Once your bra is out of the way, you can then embark on a Breast Self-Examination, BSE.

See 5 Steps for a successful BSE as listed by BREASTCANCER.ORG :

Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.

Here's what you should look for:

Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color
Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling
If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:

Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)
Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.

Step 3: While you're at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).


Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter.

Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.

Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. This up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage.


Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step 4.

Ladies, take off your bra. Jingle for a good cause and please don't forget to touch your breast today.



Why you shouldn't wear a bra today!!!.

Let your breasts breathe a little more today, give those girls the right to jingle as they please. Don't wear a bra today; it's no bra day.

No bra day isn't just a fun day, it's a special day in the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month when women are urged to leave their bras at home and let their breasts soar free. No bra day is an opportunity to further sensitize women about breast cancer and what it really means.

9 Random facts about breast cancer you should know:

Breast cancer affects both men and women; although it is more common in women

Breast cancer is the top cancer in women both in the developed and the developing world

When breast cancer is detected early the survival rate is 98%

The left breast is statistically more prone to developing cancer than the right breast.

Regular breast examination is a must for every woman; you can try self-exams or clinical breast exams

One of the early and most common warning sign of breast cancer is the discovery of a new lump in the breast

Some risk factors associated with breast cancer include increasing age, family history of breast cancer, obesity, radiation exposure, beginning your period too early, clocking menopause too late and excessive alcohol

Some researchers claim that wearing a bra greatly increases your risk of developing breast cancer

Breast cancer is not a death sentence

If you're already at work and you have your bra on....please subtly take it off. Join millions of women all over the world and celebrate the no bra day. You deserve the freedom, your breasts deserve the jingle.

Let it be known, Jules typed this piece wearing no bra and she intends to stay braless all day.



Article by Juliana Okon