October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and with that comes an awareness day on October 13 that has garnered continued discussion over the last few years — No Bra Day.

The day was apparently created in 2011, and its audience has continued to grow to the point where it is sweeping social media. However, there has been some debate as to whether or not No Bra Day has the intended effect of raising awareness about breast cancer, or if it is just an excuse for women not to wear a fairly restrictive piece of underwear.

No Bra Day
(Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)
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According to the National Cancer Institute, five-year survival rates for breast cancer now hover at around 89.4 percent, based on statistics gathered from 2005 to 2011. Statistics from 2010 to 2012 show that the average woman has a 12.3 percent chance of getting breast cancer in their lifetime. Survival rates continue to climb, and occurrence rates are starting to drop.
(Photo by Roberta Parkin/Getty Images)
(Photo by Roberta Parkin/Getty Images)
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Of course, there are alternatives for those who either must wear a bra or for those who simply do not, such as men. To support No Bra Day, this unique group can wear the color purple to help raise awareness about breast cancer and its effects. Pink is also the universal color for breast cancer support and awareness.

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