National No Bra Day is an observance day celebrated on October 13th. On this day, millions of women leave their bras at home to promote breast cancer awareness and remind women everywhere to get screened for breast cancer regularly.

It’s also a day when people rally to raise much-needed funds for breast cancer research. This day is celebrated without a bra because many women who have survived breast cancer can no longer go without wearing one, as they need it to hold their prosthesis in place after surgery. This observance day falls almost squarely in the middle of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

History of National No Bra Day

The roots of National No Bra Day can be traced back to Toronto, Canada, in 2011. A plastic surgeon named Dr. Mitchell Brown created BRA (Breast Reconstruction Awareness) Day to educate patients about mastectomy surgeries and reconstruction options.

October 18th was chosen for this observance holiday, and it’s still recognized as an important day for breast cancer awareness. However, it is believed that sometime during 2011, as this holiday spread from Canada to the rest of the world, it also managed to spawn its sister holiday: National No Bra Day on October 13th.

Facts About Breast Cancer

• In the U.S., 1 out of 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.
• Almost 3 million breast cancer survivors reside in the U.S. today.
• In the U.S., breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women today.
• It’s estimated that in the U.S., almost 300,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
• In the U.S., breast cancer kills more than 40,000 women a year.
• Every 2 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.
• Every 13 minutes, a woman with breast cancer will die.
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide.

Observing National No Bra Day

One way women observe this holiday is by not wearing their bras for the day. However, if it’s not possible for some women to go without a bra on this day, they may choose to wear the color purple instead.

People, both men and women, who want to participate in observing this day can also post on social media using the hashtags #NationalNoBraDay or #NoBraDay. People are encouraged to donate money or time to various agencies either searching for a cure for breast cancer or helping empower women after they have had the disease.

These agencies include Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, the American Cancer Society, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Cancer Research UK, and the Breast Cancer Alliance. Women are also strongly encouraged to use this day to get a mammogram or as a reminder to schedule one. Annual mammograms save lives.

Breast cancer detected early is highly treatable, and mammograms can reveal changes in a woman’s breast due to cancer up to two years before the cancer can be felt manually by either the patient or a doctor. Earlier detection can prevent the need for extensive and/or aggressive cancer treatments and may also improve the chances of conserving a woman’s breast.

Conclusion

National No Bra Day is a significant day for women to leave their bras at home, wear purple, and help spread the word about breast cancer. Raising awareness about breast cancer to increase funding for charities and to encourage more women to get mammograms will result in fewer women dying from this disease.