Can bras cause cancer? Bras do not cause breast cancer. Breast cancer happens when there's a problem with the way cells grow inside the body — and no one knows exactly why it happens. The chance of getting breast cancer increases as a woman gets older or if other women in the family have had breast cancer. Some things may protect a woman from getting breast cancer, including maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, and breastfeeding her children. See more Personal Questions Back to Articles Related Articles Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.