Bra Cancer
Breasts represent sensitivity and nurturing, intimacy and sexuality. The power of the breast has been a focus in fashion since Edwardian times and saw the first harness-like patent in 1863. The modern day version of the bra didn’t appear on the scene until 1913 – but you can bet that women as far back as you can imagine fashioned some makeshift animal skin supportive garment when needed. But what does this seemingly innocuous garment have to do with breast cancer rates rising to affect 1 out of 7 woman today?
What’s a bra got to do with it? When we look at the anatomy of the breast we find the lymphatic system suffers a direct compression to the drainage of the lower breast from the tight depression line where an underwire bra focuses most of its tension. And rightfully so or it would do little to support the breast up. Any bra for that matter cinched tight enough will compress this lymphatic tissue; but the underwire bra specifically has a hard line that really can dig into this soft tissue, especially problematic where it turns and wraps upwards towards the armpit. This line of tension compresses the lower portion of the breast’s lymphatic system as these tubes travel from the midline of the body up to the axilla region of the armpit.
Pic 1. The lymphatic system of the breast.
The lymphatic system is the sewage system for the tissues of the body. Cells toss out their debris into the fluid filled spaces that surround them. Imagine you only placed your garbage outside the front door of your house. If the garbage men couldn’t get to the door because you decided to erect a fence around your home – what do you think would happen to that garbage? It would sit there and fester and decompose. What do viruses and bacteria like most – dead tissue that they can disassemble to promote their life function and replication process. Breast tissue has the distinction of functioning like a sponge for toxins in a womans’ bodies – in men the prostate has this dubious distinction. And it makes sense that these toxins will settle into the lower part of the breast due to gravity. So the rational, logical conclusion is that when you compromise the sewage system of the breast tissue by compressing these channels how can you not create stagnation and force the breast tissue to wallow in its own toxic myre?
So what do we do with this information aside from national bra burning parties? Don’t worry ladies this is not necessary, you do not have to throw away your expensive silk underwire bras that make you look fantastic – you just need to be uber vigilant to taking care of your body. Adding a thorough breast massage each evening before bed is one possible solution. Another important suggestion is to NEVER sleep with your bra on. Sleeping with a bra has a 3x higher correlation to causing breast cancer than cigarette smoking does to causing lung cancer. Yes that’s 3x HIGHER. And of course if you do wear a bra absolutely make sure that it is custom fit for you from someone who understands posture and anatomy. This could make a profound impact on your entire body as poor fitting bras have been absolutely linked to back and neck pain.
Pic 2. Side cut of the breast.
How to do the simple massage:
First start at the midline of the body on the sternum between your breasts. Place the soft pads of your fingertips and in a curving pattern following the natural flow of the lowest part of the breast and slightly below onto the rib cage (follow the indentation left by the bra), compress into the body with a gentle force as if you were checking the ripeness of a tomato and slowly move toward the arm pit. You should make it a firm full stroke and keep your pressure consistent. It’s as if you were sliding a dime across a table. Come back to the midline and start immediately higher up then the last stroke. Work all the way up to the underside of the clavicle (collar bone). Now part two is also important. Massage in circular pattern (towards your thumb) around the nipple to cover the entire breast region for the left breast. Start around the nipple. On the right side of your body you will use your right hand and again move in circles towards your thumb. Now go back and switch directions on both breasts. It shouldn’t take more then 5 minutes and you can do it once you are in bed. The added benefit to consistent breast massage is early detection of any masses that you may have not noticed – and this is reason enough to keep up with this simple treatment.