Is Your Bra Harming Your Health?

We've all seen them, those television ads showing women how beautiful they can look in those tight underwire pushup bras.  Of course, no one is bothering to tell women that these same bras could be increasing their chances for breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.  Dr. Michael Schacter, MD says in his article, The Prevention and Complimentary Treatment of Breast Cancer, "Over 85% of the lymph fluid flowing from the breast drains to the armpit lymph nodes.  Most of the rest drains to the nodes along the breast bone.  Bras and other external tight clothing can impede flow.   The nature of the bra, the tightness, and the length of time worn, will all influence the degree of blockage of lymphatic drainage.  Thus, wearing a bra might contribute to the development of breast cancer as a result of cutting off lymphatic drainage, so that toxic chemicals are trapped in the breast."

It's important to realize that nearly all underwire bras contain metal under wires, coated with plastic which creates even more potential risk for the wearer.  Metal acts an an antenna which will attract electromagnetic fields.  This can increase risks of cardiovascular disease.  Johns Hopkins performed research showing that there is a direct relationship between exposure to electromagnetic fields and the speed and rhythm of the heart.  To see more on how electromagnetic fields affect your health, read here.

Sydney Singer and Soma Grismaijer, authors of Dress to Kill, conducted a study of over 4,000 women and found that women who do not wear bras have a much lower risk of breast cancer.  There findings included:

• Women who wore their bras 24 hours per day had a 3 out of four chance of developing breast cancer.

• Women who wore bras more than 12 hours per day, but not to bed, had a 1 out of 7 risk.

• Women who wore their bras less than 12 hours per day had a 1 out of 52 risk.

• Women who wore bras rarely or never had a 1 out of 168 chance of getting breast cancer.

  Singer and Grismaijer also found that about 90% of fibrocystic patients improve when they quite wearing bras.  

Of course while some women would be happy to have any excuse to burn their bras, breasts can be heavy and having insufficient support can cause some women a great deal of discomfort.  Fortunately there are more and more options for women which will give them great support without restricting flows.  There is a whole series of new bras on the market which don't restrict the lymphatic flow.  Some places simply call them "wireless" bras.  Several examples of these bras include the Genie Bra, the Wire Bra and the Ahh Bra, but there are plenty more options like them.  Sports bras also work.  It may take some time to find the right wireless bra but do it for the health of it!