Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Tuesday Tips. Bras Linked To Breast Cancer?

The theory explaining these findings is that the bra, an elastic garment designed to alter breast shape, applies constant pressure to the soft breast tissue, compressing and constricting lymphatic vessels. Evidence of this constriction are the red marks and indentations in the skin left behind by the bra. Since the role of the lymphatics is to flush out toxins and debris from the tissues, impairment of lymphatic flow can lead to the toxification of the breast tissue. These toxins include endogenous toxins resulting from the consequent tissue hypoxia, as well as the exogenous toxins that contaminate our food, water and air in our polluted world. Many of these toxins are carcinogenic. The bra concentrates these in the breast by preventing the lymphatics from flushing them away.
  • 3 out of 4 women who wore their bras 24 hours per day developed breast cancer.
  • 1 out of 7 women who wore bras more than 12 hour per day but not to bed developed breast cancer.
  • 1 out of 152 women who wore their bras less than 12 hours per day got breast cancer.
  • 1 out of 168 women who wore bras rarely or never acquired breast cancer.
So the difference between 24 hour wearing and not at all was 125-fold!

Bra-free women have about the same incidence of breast cancer as men. 

It is well known that the established risk factors for breast cancer only explain maybe 25% of the cancer cases. In other words, about 75% of the women who get breast cancer do not have any of the typically mentioned risk factors such as earlier history of breast cancer, smoking, or early menarche. Maybe wearing an ill-fitting bra (or even just any bra?) is a risk factor that could explain much of that 'unknown' variation!

Bra wearing may also be connected to cancer in other ways.  Wearing bras slightly increases the temperature of the breast tissue, and women who wear bras have higher levels of the hormone prolactin.  Both of these may influence breast cancer formation.

Many people say that bras causing breast cancer is just a myth.  It is true that bras do not cause breast per se, but ill-fitting, too tight bras can help cancer growth since they can prevent your body from excreting dangerous cancer-causing chemicals. And, as bra industry and even Oprah have noted, 80%+ of women wear the wrong-size bra.

Ladies, next time you take your bra off, look at yourself in the mirror. You might see red lines on the sides and/or underneath your breasts, and marks on your shoulders from the straps.  This is not a good sign, the lymph flow might have been been cut off.  Push-up bras and those with underwire or high side panels have even more constricting effect on the lymphatic vessels. It's time to buy a better fitting one. Also try give your breasts free time from bras every day - if possible at least 12 hours.  Your hubby will love you! :)

All of this may sound far-fetched... your doctor may have never heard of it, but the evidence is there. Preventing breast cancer should be a very important matter for all of us. Drastically reducing the amount of time your breasts are bound in bras and being conscientious of only wearing well-fitting bras are easy steps to take that might save you a fortune in medical bills, and even your life!

The truth is we don’t know what causes breast cancer. It could be a mutation in the BRCA gene or your anti-perspirant deodorant, a lack of emotional connection to your feminity or not having had a baby by 30 and breast-feeding it for 2 years. There are so many possibilities but no smoking gun. But this fact does tell us one thing – cancer is most likely caused by a myriad of factors; if it wasn’t we would know were it came from by now!

True or not I'm gonna let the girls go free more hours a day!

44 comments:

  1. For those who us with, shall we say, a generous embonpoint, going bra-less is not really an option I'm afraid, except when staying in all day.

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  2. Interesting, Java.. never knew this could happen

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  3. How interesting! Two good friends have breast cancer right now, so it's on my mind more than usual. Maybe the generation who burned their bras had a good idea. Time to let those puppies free!!!

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  4. I'm with Maxine - sweatshirt all the way! Mine comes off as soon as I get home. I call those stupid bras, nothing but a "booby trap"! And I'm a little nervous now as I'm waiting to find out about the lump I found & the MRI I had done last week. My mom had breast cancer, so I'm diligent at self-exams & mammos. If it's anything, hopefully it's been caught very early. PLEASE EVERYONE, stay on top of this for yourself!!! Love the bumper sticker..."Save the Ta-Ta's"!

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  5. Very interesting information and totally new to me. I like having a medical reason to go braless.

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  6. I used work in a gum dealing with hundreds and hundreds of women. I've been told many times over how fortunate I am to be small chested. I agree.
    I can go braless anytime, save for T-shirt days. I just won't, my choice I suppose.

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  7. I was just thinking more on the topic. We don't know everything about many medical issues. If we wait until things are confirmed and "written in stone" it would be too late. If we can take precautions it's wise. This is something so incredibly easy that it would be a shame to take risks. It may not be a great option all the time for those who are more endowed, but there are plenty of hours at home that could be time for "freedom". I hate the red marks when you take the bra off, and I always thought that was just the way it was. At my yearly GYN appointment, the nurse practitioner was insistent that I get rid of the under-wires.

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  8. "The truth is we don’t know what causes breast cancer. It could be a mutation in the BRCA gene or your anti-perspirant deodorant, a lack of emotional connection to your feminity or not having had a baby by 30 and breast-feeding it for 2 years. "

    ...or not getting enough vigorous exercise to release excess estrogen, or having too much body fat, which then produces excess estrogen. and on and on the theories go.

    You are so right. We should be aware, vigilant and do all we can to prevent this horrid disease. Very frustrating as well, though, because my underwire is the only thing that offers me the proper support that I need. Nothing else seems to do the job, but I'll keep searching.

    Thanks so much for always bringing us these informative posts.

    Trudy
    www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com

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  9. Whoa - I just recently found I had been buying the wrong size for, oh, I don't know 30 YEARS - and now, because of the letter "D" (vice B) I now jokingly refer to my tiny frame as a "brick house." But, a proper, professional fitting is important, if we have to do the deed and wear one. Although, when at home in Colorado, I could live in yoga tops with built in 'light' support and be happy forever. Such a great, informative post - thank you.

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  10. When is our society going to treat breasts with respect? Ladies are uncomfortable to breastfeed in public, other ladies have surgeons cut into them to make them look pretty, and the rest of us jam them into stiff bras to change their appearance. No wonder it's giving us cancer. Those bra burners may have been on to something. Great post!

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  11. I've learned doctors don't know everything so there just might be something to wearing bras and some breast cancers. I mean sometimes it has to be environmental.

    Uh oh, let the word spread - if others start to stop wearing their bra, so will I - please - let the revolution begin.

    Haupi

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  12. And just today, I wore my super perfect bra from VS - I call it the bait and switch. While on, I have the most perfect boobs. Take it off, and they flapping back around my naval.

    Interesting stuff!

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  13. Thanks for this great post, Java. I had a scare last year and had to get a mammogram. I'm very grateful that it wasn't anything to worry about. When I'm home alone I let the girls loose:) But feel very naked without a bra in public. I love tanktops with a built in shelfbra, but I only sometimes can find them in second-hand stores.

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  14. interesting... sometimes I feel my breasts quite hot after a full day of wearing the bra..I always thought it was due to the material (nylon or whatever) - I think a good option is to pick natural fibers (like cotton), no underwires and as you said, the right size. And of course, to set them free as much as we can!

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  15. Thats crazy I wear my bra all the time-so scary my man gets so mad cause I literally wear it all the time-thanks Java-you have helped a lot of women here MUAH

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  16. Very interesting! I would love to not wear a bra but as blessed as I am everyone would know...ewww! :)

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  17. I don´t like going bra-less. Once you´re over fifty those "girls" go south and with the hot temps here, that means you´re always perspiring. Do I need to explain? :) But I do not wear it more that 12 hours a day, so I guess I´m good. Thanks for the info, I had not heard this before.

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  18. ha I should send this to my Momma she's always chewing me out for not wearing them. I can never find them small enough so I go with out most of the time. One lucky thing for being on the small side =)

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  19. Interesting post Java - I might try wearing my bra a little less - right now I am bra-less for about 8 hours a day only. But like others, being a 30DD and thanks to the after effects of having a baby late in life, going bra-less in public is definitely not an option :-)

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  20. As a breast cancer survivor myself, I find this post interesting. I try to go bra-less more and more. Wearing sundresses and tops with the built in bra which is much more comfortable has been my choice all spring and summer. I'm dreading fall and winter when I'll have to wear those dreaded things again. Love the Maxine cartoon and whole heartedly agree!

    Hugs,
    Kat

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  21. I wear my bra 24 hours per day unless I bathe (which you know very well has not been happening very often recently...) I hate how it feels to not have one on! :( And now on top of everything else I am going to die now too. That's just great. What was that movie? Maybe I should start smoking two cigarettes at a time to cut down on the time on my death sentence? lol... :(

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  22. As breast cancer has been on my mind a lot lately (my aunt has breast cancer currently), this post intrigued me.
    One of the first things I do when I get home is take the dang thing off. It is uncomfortable!
    However, when I am out...being blessed with well en-dowdness...I have to wear the blasted thing, otherwise I would probably get a ticket for indecency. LOL
    Good info and we should do what we need to do to stay healthy. :)
    I am going to start a bonfire in my back yard...anyone want to join me? ;-)
    Good blog!

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  23. Java-Just because you love someone does not mean you must throw all your wants and needs out the window for them does it? Of course I love him, perhaps not enough to give up on what I want, which I do not think anyone should do. Like I said certain things I am willing to compromise on, but not kids.

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  24. I got back from shopping for lovely bras and I find your post starring at me!!! I love my bras and wear it proudly but i do enjoy being braless at night time.... it is wonderful..........

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  25. This would be reason for all of us chicks to fall back into the 70's and burn the dang things! Down here on the Ponderosa when it's just me and the cows this farm gal is all-natural. I do wear a bra when I go out.

    God bless ya and have yourself a most beautiful day sweetie!!!

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  26. Hmm... interesting. My husband hates bras! If the kids aren't around, he wants mine off. I'm small chested, so I like the added shape, maybe I will reconsider wearing time now.

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  27. Thanks for sharing this...taking mine off now!

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  28. Hmmm... That's IT!! No more "flopper stopper" for ME!! No more "Over the shoulder boulder holder!" HAH!! My 42DD/E should be 44 LONG in NO TIME!! ;p LOL!! Luckily, there has been no history of breast cancer in my family, so hopefully my sister and I (that are pretty much the same shape in about everything...) don't change that. *sigh*

    Thanks for an interesting post! ((HUGS))

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  29. I appreciate the info. It is a bit scary. I'm with Gail. Going bra-less is definitely not an option for these big girls, not while I hold down a full time job.
    xoRobyn

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  30. Interesting. But do you know if they controlled for breast size? I would think the braless women would be smaller-breasted while the 24/7 bra wearers would be quite large. Is there a corelation between breast size and cancer? (And why don't I know that? Wow, I need to get informed!)

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  31. Very Interesting! My research doctor son-in-law says if you have the gene you get the cancer. Except in rare circumstances where there is a cause such as asbestos or coal dust. If you do not have the gene you can smoke and do whatever and never get cancer. (I just quit smoking 6 days ago and I am not having fun yet).
    He also told me that Alzheimer's is linked to well water and aluminum. Wash your canned food before eating to remove trace particles of aluminum and use stainless steel pots.
    Have a great week!

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  32. This sounds serious, but I'll take any excuse to go braless! Pu-leeze, they are the most uncomfortable pieces of clothing.
    This was very interesting. I don't know if you remember, but a few years ago, deodorant was being thought to cause lymphatic cancers as it was said it bloked the lymphatic systems ducts. So the bra theory does make sense....but I do wear deodorant though. I guess I'm willing to take some chances for the sake of delightfully smelling arm pits.

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  33. Hi Java,
    Thanks for the info. Strange things have been going on with my "girls" lately and I think it is because I wear my bra constantly. I will have to s/w my doctor. I haven't been there in almost 3 years so now is a good time!

    Thank you for sharing with me the experiences you had with your diabetic cat Madison. He was lucky to have such a kind and loving person caring for him. Charlie is doing well so far and does not mind the needles at all. I think I may have to do another round of antibiotics though. He is going back to the vet for a follow up visit and they will let me know.

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  34. Burn, baby, burn! The bra, that is! Great posting, as usual!

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  35. I burned my bra back in the day!~ after reading this ,I am so glad I did!

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  36. Are you kidding me? Honey, as much as I'd love to go braless - I could park an SUV in each cup and save the cost of a garage - it just ain't gonna happen. Besides I'd fall and kill myself because I tripped over them.

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  37. I hate my bra, , they are so uncomfortable. I let them free as often as possible.

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  38. I hate to wear a bra and when I am around the house I never wear one!!!

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  39. Very interesting post! Never heard of these statistics before although I have heard there's some controversy over underwire bras because the wire is usually made of aluminum. I have opted to purchase only ones where the "underwire" is actually hard plastic ... but having read this post, I will definitely be going bra-less more often!

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  40. Very informative! Thank you. Great blog! I’m visiting from Fresh Friday. I hope you’ll stop by soon. Have a great weekend!
    Jess
    http://www.mommies2cents.com

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  41. Makes total sense to me. But, I can hear my 18 year old daughter-ewww-your not wearing a bra! But, hey, she'll get over it. Or I'll keep looking at her ear piercings/go ewwww! Great blog/post

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  42. Great post, Java! It’s frightening to think our bras could cause or contribute to breast cancer. Good idea to wear them fewer hours a day and to check that our bras aren’t too tight. I had heard of a possible bra/breast-cancer connection a couple of years ago and try to avoid underwires because of it.

    http://LivingMontessoriNow.com

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