An astute reader wrote and asked this:

Fact or Urban Myth? I heard recently from unreliable source that there is an increase in breast cancer among women who wear underwire bras. Something about preventing lymph from draining properly or metal itself causing electrical problems. Oprah was to have featured this, so the story goes, but was prevented by threats of Revlon (owner of Victoria's Secret) pulling ads. Myth or Fact? Inquiring minds want to know.

Okay, here’s the scoop. According to The American Cancer Society, (which has a pretty good record for patient advocacy) it’s just a rumor. Big fat one. (My words, not theirs.)

The scuttlebutt was, indeed, that underwire bras “compact the lymphatic system of the breast and cause breast cancer.” It apparently came from a book written by a husband and wife team of medical anthropologists, who claimed to have evidence that “. . . these restrictive, seductive harnesses and enhancers should be gotten rid of.” Oh my. I can already smell the bias.

Here’s what the ACS has to say:
There are no scientifically valid studies that show a correlation between wearing bras of any type and the occurrence of breast cancer. Two anthropologists made this association in a book called Dressed to Kill. Their study was not conducted according to standard principles of epidemiological research and did not take into consideration other variables, including known risk factors for breast cancer. There is no other, credible research to validate this claim in any way.