Until the 1990s information on preventing breast cancer was scarce. Very few breast cancer awareness campaigns were noticed until the 90s. Thankfully there was an explosion of information from the scientific community educating women about proven risk factors.
Lifestyle
When genetics is not a factor, then lifestyle choices are the best method in breast cancer prevention. Many studies have proven that poor diet, cigarettes, alcohol and illicit drug use are huge factors in breast cancer.
There is another lifestyle choice that some studies state is proven to be a contributing factor in the development of breast disease and breast cancer – wearing a bra.
Lymphatic System
Bras were designed to change a woman’s natural breast shape. Tight pressure hampers circulation in the breasts, in particular the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system contains tiny, thin-walled vessels that drain fluid called lymph from the breast tissue. These vessels remove toxins, cell debris, viruses, bacteria and other products from the breasts. The fluid travels along the lymphatic vessels to the lymph nodes. These nodes are small organs that are central to the immune system and are the site of white blood cell production. These are the cells that assist the body in fighting infection.
Virtually all human tissues drain through the lymphatic system. However, unlike arterties and veins, these vessels have no internal pressure. As a result they are easily compressed by external pressure, leading to congestion of tissues that would otherwise have been drained.
In the breasts, the majority of the lymphatic drainage goes to the armpit lymph nodes. When a woman wears a tight bra, she subjects her breasts to pressure closing off the lymphatic pathway to the nodes. This causes fluid build up, swelling, tenderness and cyst formation. Women who stop wearing their bras altogether report complete recovery from pain, swelling, cysts and lumpiness within a few short weeks.
Tight Bras
The problem caused by bras is interference with the lymphatic drainage system. In todays world people are exposed to hazardous cancer-causing toxins in food, air, water, and medications. Once in the tissues, these toxins must be flushed out via the lymphatics. However, breasts constricted in a tight bra can not adequately perform this cleansing process, resulting in toxin accumulation in the breast. Given the fact that breasts are the most highly constricted part of the body, it makes sense that they are the site for more cancer than any other body part.
Other Damage Bras Create
There is a myth that dictates bras are needed for support. This myth assumes the female body was created with a flaw – natural breasts. Of course this subjective flaw reflects an industry that tells women their breasts must be pushed in and placed higher up on their chest wall that nature intended.
In fact, bras create weak, droopy breasts. As the breast relies on artificial support, the body loses the ability to support the breasts naturally. Some women wear a bra while sleeping. Interestingly, the corset and girdle industry promoted their garments by spreading a similiar myth about the need for abdominal support. Of course, it was proven that these products weaken abdominal muscles.
Breast Cancer Prevention
The great news is that breast cancer can be virtually eliminated by lifestyle choices and regular breast self-examinations.
Eliminating as many toxins as possible through diet and habits such as smoking and alcohol is a step in the right direction. Increasing folate in the diet is proven in drastically reducing the chances of getting breast cancer. And finally, as far as the bras go, it's highly doubtful in modern society women will give up their bras. It is advisable that if the bra creates any red markings or indentations on the skin, it is time to think about a bra that can not leave any markings on the skin. If possible, being “bra-free” in the privacy of the home when moments permit it, will help the lymphatic system in doing its job without constraints.
Further Reading:
Alcohol Consumption Increases Breast Cancer Risk
