Breast Cancer Prevention

Red lines on the sides and underneath the breasts are common sights for most women wearing brassieres that they are often ignored. However, having them signals that the lymph flow is in danger of being cut off, if it isn’t yet.

The lymph system serves as the filtration system of the body. Under and in between breasts and in the armpits are numerous lymph pathways and lymph nodes where lymph fluid flow, washing out waste materials and other toxins away from breast tissue. But for the lymph fluid to flow through the body properly, movement is necessary.

However, tight-fitting bras, like push-up bras, restrict breast movement and, thus, the flow of lymph fluid within the breast tissue. Many free radicals that promote and cause cancer, like PCBs, DDT, dioxin and benzene tend to cling to the body’s fatty tissues, such as the breast tissue, and, as they start to accumulate, they enable the growth of cancer cells.

Increasing the risk of breast cancer are not only tight-fitting bras but also bras made from synthetic fiber, since they increase the temperature of the breast tissue. With an increase in temperature comes an increase in the hormone prolactin that often leads to the growth of breast cancer cells.

The first comprehensive study on the link between bra-wearing and breast cancer was done by medical researcher Sydney Singer and his wife Soma Grismaijer in 1995. The Singers studied 4,500 women in 5 cities across the United States and discovered an increase in breast cancer rates between women who do wear bras versus those that do not. In fact, the overall difference between those who wear bras for 24 hours and those who rarely or never wore a bra is an amazing 125 fold.

In summary, the study noted that the odds of getting breast cancer are:

• 3 out of 4 for women who wear bras 24 hours a day
• 1 out of 7 for women who wear bras more than 12 hours a day
• 1 out of 152 for women who wear bras less than 12 hours a day
• 1 out of 168 for women who rarely or never wore a bra.

The study also noted that most of the known risk factors for breast cancer could be related, if not to the lymphatic system, to bra-wearing behavior. The Singers noticed that the Maoris of New Zealand, who integrated into white culture, have the same rate of breast cancer as that of the other peoples in that culture, while the marginalized aboriginals of Australia have practically no breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a complex disease and can be caused by a number of factors such as heredity, lifestyle, diet and the environment. However, it cannot be denied that, although bras do not cause breast cancer, they, nonetheless, increase the risk of having it.

But brassieres are an important part of a woman’s wardrobe. Women can reduce the risk of having breast cancer by going bra-less at night at home and by using during the day non-constricting cotton bras—such as those of Cottonique that offer some support without restricting movement. Cottonique is an innovative apparel company which has a complete collection of bras and innerwear that are affordable and durable.

Women may not be able to eliminate an important part of their wardrobe, but they still can choose very well what would give them a healthier and, perhaps, a longer life.