Breast health and sport: sports bras, protection, breast cancer

Breast pain during exercise

In a survey of 540 Australian female athletes at national or international level, across 49 sports, 44% reported breast pain during training or competition, and 63% pain linked to the menstrual cycle (Brisbine 2020). Among 1,285 London Marathon runners, 32% had breast pain (Brown 2014).

The breast contains no muscle: it moves with the body (World Rugby 2025). In a laboratory study of 21 D-cup women running without support, the breast moved on average 15.2 cm in three dimensions with each stride (Scurr 2011). In 20 runners, a sports bra reduced vertical displacement by 56% compared with no support, and by 43% compared with an everyday bra (Leme 2020). Jumping moves the breast mainly up and down; changes of direction move it fastest (Risius 2015).

Choosing and fitting a sports bra

In an Australian study, 85% of 104 women wore a badly fitted bra by professional fitting criteria (McGhee and Steele 2010). Among Australian football and rugby players, 52% of the 112 sports bras checked were badly fitted (Brisbine 2020). The check has four points:

• The band: it provides the support. It is firm enough that only two fingers slide under it, and it stays horizontal all the way round the body, even when moving.
• The straps: two fingers slide under them. They hold without digging into the shoulders. One can be shorter than the other: the two breasts are often different sizes.
• The cups: they hold the whole breast. If it spills over, they are too small; if they wrinkle or gape, they are too big.
• The centre: it lies flat on the breastbone. If it lifts away, the cups are too small.

Then jump on the spot in front of a mirror. A bra whose elastic has slackened with wear no longer supports: replace it, like worn-out shoes. Padding is for discretion; it does not protect against impacts (England Rugby guide 2023, based on University of Portsmouth research; Sports Medicine Australia). For larger breasts, a bra that lifts and compresses reduced discomfort more than a standard sports bra (McGhee and Steele 2010), and wide, vertical straps are preferable (Coltman 2015).

Among 115 young Australian female athletes aged about 16, a booklet explained by a physiotherapist led 39% more of them to pass the fit test four months later (McGhee 2010). Explaining is often enough.

In the teenage years

Of 2,089 British schoolgirls aged 11 to 18, 46% said their breasts affected their participation in sport at school, 51% at ages 13 and 14. More than half never wore a sports bra for sport, and 87% wanted to know more (Scurr 2016). A club can add it to the kit list, talk about it plainly at the start of the season, and let each player get the right kit without having to explain herself. The Girls and women page gives more pointers for keeping teenage girls in sport.

Impacts and protective equipment

Of 297 Australian women playing Australian football and rugby, 58% had already had a breast impact, and 48% felt it had hampered their play; half of the coaches and medical staff surveyed did not know it was a problem (Brisbine 2020). Across 46 elite sports, fewer than 10% of the athletes affected had reported it to a coach or to medical staff (Brisbine 2019). A breast impact should therefore be logged like any other injury.

An old impact can leave marks (haematoma, cyst, fat necrosis that calcifies) that are hard to tell apart from cancer on imaging (Wakefield-Scurr 2024). World Rugby advises mentioning it at a breast examination or a mammogram.

National rules (French, Swiss and German federations) have not been checked here: in competition, your federation's rules apply.

Pain, or a sign to get checked?

Breast pain on its own is generally not a sign of cancer (NHS), and a cancerous lump is most often painless (INCa). Pain that follows periods often affects both breasts and goes away at the end of the period (NHS). However, these signs call for seeing a doctor quickly (NHS, INCa):

• a lump or swelling in the breast, the chest or the armpit;
• skin that dimples, looks like orange peel, reddens or changes colour;
• a change in the size or shape of a breast;
• a nipple that pulls in, redness of the nipple or discharge from it, especially if it contains blood;
• a breast that is red, hot or swollen.

Most lumps are not cancer, but all of them must be checked (NHS). Monthly breast self-examination as a screening method did not lower mortality in trials (Cochrane, Kösters and Gøtzsche 2003): the right reflex is to know what is normal for you and to see a doctor if something changes. Men can get breast cancer too, less than 1% of cases (INCa). The club's role is to talk about it and point people to a doctor, never to make a diagnosis.

Physical activity and breast cancer

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) judges that physical activity "probably protects" against breast cancer after menopause, and vigorous activity before menopause (WCRF/AICR 2018). In 12 cohorts totalling 1.44 million adults, breast cancer risk was 10% lower in the most active than in the least active (Moore 2016). A genetic study points the same way (Dixon-Suen 2022).

• These are associations, measured in observational studies: sport does not "prevent" breast cancer.
• No sport protects more than another: the data do not allow anyone to say so (WHO 2020). What counts is regularity and intensity.
• The WHO benchmark for adults: 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity a week, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity, and muscle strengthening on at least two days a week; and less time sitting (WHO 2020).
• Other factors count: alcohol, with no risk-free threshold, and weight gain in adulthood (WCRF/AICR 2018).
• Never blame: in France, 38.0% of breast cancers in 2015 were attributable to the modifiable factors studied (Marant-Micallef 2018). Most are not. A woman who falls ill did not "do too little sport".

Screening, country by country

Each country runs its own programme. Here is what the official programmes publish, read on 2 October 2026.

In France, the Haute Autorité de santé (HAS, the national health authority) has been reviewing the programme's starting age since March 2026; no recommendation has been published to date. Over 2023-2024, 46.3% of the women concerned took part (INCa). Screening has benefits and limits, which INCa explains on its website. A woman whose close relatives have had breast or ovarian cancer should talk to her doctor about it: tailored follow-up may be offered to her (INCa, ameli).

During and after cancer

A 2019 international consensus recommends that people affected by cancer "avoid inactivity" and concludes that regular, well-dosed activity reduces fatigue, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and improves quality of life and physical fitness. The most studied dose: moderate endurance activity three times a week, 30 minutes or more, for 8 to 12 weeks, often with muscle strengthening twice a week (Campbell 2019).

Strengthening the arms is nothing to fear. In two trials, progressive, supervised strength training did not worsen arm lymphoedema in women who had it, and fewer flare-ups occurred (14% against 29%); in women at risk, it did not bring on more of it (Schmitz 2009 and 2010). The consensus specifies: safe if supervised by a professional, starting low and progressing slowly; starting alone has not been evaluated (Campbell 2019).

Studies that follow women over time associate activity after breast cancer with longer survival. These are observational studies, which do not prove cause (Holmes 2005; Spei 2019). So a club never promises any effect on recurrence.

A club session is still sport, not treatment. In France, adapted physical activity is prescribed by a doctor and delivered by qualified people (French Public Health Code, L1172-1 and D1172-2). Up to 12 months after the end of treatment, the doctor can prescribe a physical activity assessment within the global post-cancer care pathway (Decree 2020-1665). Federation programmes welcome these groups with trained supervision:

• Fencing (France): fencing clubs that have signed the Solution R.I.P.O.S.T.E. charter, with a trained fencing master, for women who have had surgery for breast cancer, with their doctor's agreement.
• Canoe-kayak (France): nearly 50 "Dragon Ladies" dragon boat crews, and the federation's Club Pagaie Santé label.
• Rowing (France): the Aviron Santé label (Coach Aviron Santé) and the Challenge Avirose, an indoor rowing relay.
• Gymnastique volontaire (France): the Gym'Après Cancer programme, on a certificate from the oncologist or the GP.
• Switzerland: sport groups supported by the Swiss Cancer League, led by qualified professionals.
• Germany: recognised group rehabilitation sport (Sport in der Krebsnachsorge), with a B instructor licence.

Dragon boating for women after breast cancer was born in Vancouver in 1996, with Dr Don McKenzie's Abreast In A Boat team; the international breast cancer paddlers' commission counts more than 400 teams in 41 countries (IBCPC).

What a club can do in October

In France, the Octobre Rose campaign is coordinated by the association Ruban Rose (Octobre Rose and Ruban Rose are trademarks of the association). In Switzerland, the Swiss Cancer League runs breast cancer awareness month. A club can take part without falling into the "pinkwashing" that patients' associations denounce:

• Inform: send members the key points of this page and their country's screening programme, with official sources.
• Open a session to family and friends and to people returning to sport.
• Collect honestly: if the club raises money, it states the amount, the organisation receiving it and what it will do with it. "Part of the proceeds" is not enough.
• Sell nothing in the month's name: no "pink" membership discount without an announced donation.
• Think of those who are ill: offer a member in treatment the option to pause or postpone her sessions, and welcome her when she comes back.
• Make it last: a trained coach, a suitable training slot and a sports bra on the kit list are worth more than a one-month campaign.

In Paak

On every plan, including the free plan. For a team the club has set as "Women" or "Mixed", the team page shows a Breast health card: the sports bra and its fit, impacts to log, signs to get checked, the protection rule in fencing, boxing or rugby where one exists, and, for an adult team, the screening programme of the club's country. What counts is the team type the club chose, never data about a player.

In October, the Training page offers a card with what the club can do. Club administrators find there a message ready to send to members, in French, English or German depending on the language chosen in Paak, with the screening of the club's country and official sources, and no link to Paak: they reread it, adapt it and send it from Newsletters. The action can be logged in Partners, Territorial actions tab, type Sport and health. See how it works in Paak, or see Paak for a fencing club, a rugby club or a handball club.

Sources

• Brisbine B. et al. 2020, Journal of Sports Sciences, doi 10.1080/02640414.2020.1712016 (pain, 540 athletes).
• Brown N. et al. 2014, British Journal of Sports Medicine, PMID 23603819 (London Marathon).
• Scurr J. et al. 2011, Journal of Sports Sciences, doi 10.1080/02640414.2010.521944.
• Leme J. et al. 2020, Journal of Biomechanics, doi 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.110014.
• Risius D. et al. 2015, European Journal of Sport Science, PMID 24942053.
• McGhee D. and Steele J. 2010, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, doi 10.1016/j.jsams.2010.03.003 (fit); Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, PMID 20019639 (larger breasts).
• McGhee D. et al. 2010, Journal of Physiotherapy, PMID 20500133.
• Coltman C. et al. 2015, Sports Medicine Open, PMID 26284162.
• England Rugby, Sports Bra Fitting Guide 2.0, July 2023; Sports Medicine Australia, "Exercise and breast support".
• Scurr J. et al. 2016, Journal of Adolescent Health, doi 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.10.005.
• Brisbine B. et al. 2020, Science and Medicine in Football, doi 10.1080/24733938.2019.1682184 (impacts); Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, PMID 32522401 (sports bras and protection).
• Brisbine B. et al. 2019, Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, PMID 31427880.
• Wakefield-Scurr J. et al. 2024, European Journal of Sport Science, doi 10.1002/ejsc.12128; World Rugby, Women's Health: Breast Health, 2025.
• FIE, Material Rules, August 2026, m.25.4.c; World Boxing, Competition Rules, November 2024, 13.8; World Taekwondo, Competition Rules, June 2026.
• NHS, Breast pain (2023) and Symptoms of breast cancer in women (2024); INCa, Cancers du sein : symptômes; Cancer du sein chez l'homme (in French).
• Kösters J. and Gøtzsche P. 2003, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD003373.
• WCRF/AICR 2018, Diet, nutrition, physical activity and breast cancer.
• Moore S. et al. 2016, JAMA Internal Medicine, doi 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.1548.
• Dixon-Suen S. et al. 2022, British Journal of Sports Medicine, doi 10.1136/bjsports-2021-105132.
• Bull F. et al. 2020, British Journal of Sports Medicine (WHO guidelines), doi 10.1136/bjsports-2020-102955.
• Marant-Micallef C. et al. 2018, Bulletin épidémiologique hebdomadaire no. 21.
• Screening programmes: INCa and ameli (France); Swiss Cancer League; G-BA and KBV (Germany); CCR, BruPrev, Centrum voor Kankeropsporing (Belgium); früh erkennen (Austria); Ministry of Health (Luxembourg); NHS (England); HAS, scoping note, March 2026; INCa, press release of 29 September 2026.
• Campbell K. et al. 2019, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, PMID 31626055.
• Schmitz K. et al. 2009, New England Journal of Medicine, PMID 19675330; 2010, JAMA, PMID 21148134.
• Holmes M. et al. 2005, JAMA, PMID 15914748; Spei M. et al. 2019, The Breast, PMID 30780085.
• Code de la santé publique (French Public Health Code), articles L1172-1 and D1172-2; Decree no. 2020-1665 of 22 December 2020.
• Fédération française d'escrime (Solution R.I.P.O.S.T.E.); FFCK (Dragon Ladies, Pagaie Santé); FFA (Aviron Santé); FFEPGV (Gym'Après Cancer); Swiss Cancer League; Landessportbund Württemberg (Sport in der Krebsnachsorge); IBCPC.
• Ruban Rose (2026 campaign); INPI, trademarks 4633382 and 4633387; RoseUp Association; Cancer Rose.