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Dr Odile Bagot (Gynecologist-obstetrician)
Medical validation:
November 3, 2023
An influencer has caused panic on TikTok after claiming that wearing sports bras promotes the appearance of “breast lumps”. The opinion of Dr Odile Bagot, gynecologist, on this revelation.
Sports bras are not popular these days. According to the words of an influencer, they would cause worrying “masses” in the breasts.
Fluid accumulated in the lymph nodes
If these little lumps develop in the breasts, it is because “fluids get stuck” in the lymph nodes due to compression, according to the influencer.
“THE [médecin] said that fluids can get stuck here from your lymph nodes [glandes à côté des seins et sous les aisselles]and when you compress them… all the time, there is excess liquid (…)“, reveals the young woman in her video, which has nearly 8 million views.
As for the “solutions” to make breast masses and accumulated fluid disappear; the influencer simply advises to… lean in.
“You need to remove your bra, raise one arm and “lightly flick” the chest. Then, “Bend over and shake your breasts to help release any fluids“, she advises.
An anxiety-provoking and absurd announcement
Following this anxiety-inducing announcement, more than 8,000 people commented on the video, mainly young women suffering from cancer.
“I’m wearing one right now…I’m taking it off“, wrote one young woman, while another declared that she was “super nervous” after watching the video.
Faced with this video, Dr Liz O’Riordan, a surgeon specializing in breast cancer in the United Kingdom, posted a video on YouTube Monday debunking these claims : “I have no idea where his doctor went to medical school, but I’m here to tell you it’s absurd“.
Dr. O’Riordan explains that fluid does not get stuck in the lymph nodes. Fluid flows from the vessels at the bottom of the breast towards the lymph nodes – not the other way around, as the influencer suggests.
According to the surgeon, some women will experience breast swelling called lymphedema if they have undergone certain cancer treatments, such as radiotherapy. To reduce it, she recommends a firm breast massage. “By wiggling and shaking your breasts you just risk looking ridiculous” said Dr. O’Riordan.
She also advises against ditching sports bras because when running, breasts can bounce up to 15 centimeters in any direction, with no muscles holding them in place. “This can be painful and uncomfortable and prevent you from being active. It can also lead to sagging or drooping breasts, as the ligaments continually stretch.” concludes the British expert.
No, sports bras do not cause breast lumps
Faced with the influencer’s allegations, Dr Odile Bagot, gynecologist and member of the Doctissimo expert committee, is also categorical: everything is false!
“It is bullshit. Sports bras and bras do not promote the appearance of breast masses, and even less of breast cancer. There has never been any study linking this disease with these accessories.“, concludes the expert.
Slide: 10 sports bras