the BRA and YOU
For years now (since 2000), I have been working with women that were concerned about keeping their breasts healthy though the simple process of lymphatic drainage. My knowledge has grown during this time and continues to grow. Years ago, I was told told a book entitled Dressed to Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras written by Sydney Ross Singer & Soma Grismaijer. More recently I bought another book by the same authors entitled Get It Off: Understanding the CAUSE of BREAST PAIN, CYSTS, and CANCER. The following excerpt is from the latter book describing the importance of movement of lymph fluid in the breast.
Imagine the warning of bras causing breast cancer. It really makes sense, once you think about it. Bras are constrictive garments. As they change breast shape, they apply pressure that impairs the breast circulation. In particular, lymphatic vessels in the breast tissue are effected by pressure. These vessels are microscopic and have no internal pressure. Yet, they are charged with the crucial task of draining tissues of fluid and waste, and are the the circulatory pathway of our immune system. Fluid in these lymphatic vessels travels to lymph nodes, which produce white blood cells that combat infections and cancers. The breast lymph nodes are mostly in the armpit. But pressure from bras, which are actually breast bindings, constricts and compresses the lymphatic pathways from the breasts to the armpit lymph nodes. This leads to fluid build-up, pain, and tenderness in the breasts, while the tissue stagnates in its own waste. Cysts may develop from continued constriction of the lymphatic system and the back-up of fluid. This is how women develop fibrocystic breast disease. Get rid of the bra for a few weeks, and the pain goes away as the breasts begin to decongest and heal.
If this constriction does not end, toxins begin to accumulate within the breast tissue. The lymphatic system is meant to flush toxins from tissues, but cannot function properly due to the constriction from the bra. These toxins include herbicides, pesticides, medications, and all other chemical contaminates that we eat, drink, and breathe throughout our petrochemical-filled lives. Other toxins are produced by the body itself as an outcome of poor tissue oxygenation and stagnation, as well as from radiation exposure, as with mammograms and other X-rays.
These toxins can lead to cancer.
My thoughts are ... if you are going to continue to wear a bra, manual lymphatic drainage every quarter should be high on your list of things to do.
THE QUESTIONNAIRE
Are you comfortable with the size and shape of your breasts without a bra?
Standard group: 18% yes
Cancer group: 5% yes
Do you select bras to shape or accentuate your breasrs?
Standard group: 74% yes
Cancer group: 87% yes
Other than price, what is the most important feature you look for when buying a bra?
Standard group: 30% appearance, 51% comfort, 19% both
Cancer group: 62% appearance, 25% comfort, 13% both
Does your bra occasionally feel tight or uncomfortable?
Standard group: 28% rarely; 55% sometimes; 17% always
Cancer group: 48% rarely; 34% sometimes; 18% always
Does your bra ever make red marks on your skin or cause irritations?
Standard group: 25% rarely; 52% sometimes; 23% always
Cancer group: 14% rarely; 46% sometimes; 40% always
How long do you wear your bra each day on the average?
Standard group: 20% less than 12 hours daily
80% more than 12 hours daily
Cancer group: 1% less than 12 hours daily
99% more than 12 hours daily
Do you wear a bra or breast-supporting garment to sleep?
Standard group: 3% yes
Cancer group: 18% yes
Do you wear a bra?
Standard group: 5% no
Cancer group: 0.24% no
Have you breast fed?
Standard group: 14% yes
Cancer group: 4% yes
