The Moon Walk for Breast Cancer awareness is Saturday May 16th in London and the women will all be wearing pink bras. The group energy will be electrifying I am sure and there probably are not words to express the
empowerment these women will feel. The reason for this article though, is to bring awareness to the research that bras may actually contribute to, or even cause, breast cancer. First let me point out that we are multi- faceted
beings and that there are many things that contribute to any state of dis-ease. It is once this state is entered that we then need to make choices that contribute to restoring balance and harmony in the body.
There have been some interesting observations made regarding the breast cancer rate amongst women who wear bras as opposed to those who do not.
Research
Singer and Grismaijer investigated and published their findings of the bra-wearing behavior of about 5000 women in their book ‘Dressed to Kill’ (Avery Press 1995).
- Women who wore their bras 24 hours per day had a 3 out of 4 chance of developing breast cancer.
- Women who wore bras rarely or never had a 1 out of 168 chance of getting breast cancer, about the same breast cancer rate for men.
- Women who wore bras more than 12 hour 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 152 risk.
The overall difference between 24 hour wearing and not at all was a 125-fold difference.
An even more common condition is fibrocystic breast disease, which is often a forerunner of breast cancer. This painful condition can be cured simply by not wearing a bra.
The Fluid Lymphatic System
There is a vast array of lymphatic nodes around the breasts and in the underarms. As many people are aware, it is these very nodes that end up being operated on and removed. The lymphatic system is an extremely important system in the body that is not often talked about. It can be compared to a river that should flow clear and clean. When there is something blocking the flow of the river and the water has no where to go it becomes still and stagnant, inviting microrganisms in to flourish. Our lymphatic system works in a similar manner. It is responsible for the elimination of a lot of the toxic waste in our bodies. The lymph is not pumped through the body like blood, but is moved mostly by the contractions of skeletal muscles and the expansion and contraction of the lungs. It circulates throughout the body and drains into the subclavian veins, below the collar bone. Movement, moves lymph.
Self Help
A simple self-help technique is to gently massage into the hollow on each side of the breast bone and move the skin in various directions around this area. This will bring circulation to the underlying connective tissue stimulating blood flow. With increased blood flow comes increased nutrients and oxygenation to the tissues. Eventually you will notice the tenderness will decrease and disappear.
Also the hollow areas between the breastbone and the ribs can be stimulated in the same way. These areas correspond to what are known as the ‘Chapmans Reflex Points’, a series of points that can help stimulate normal function in the lymphatic and endocrine systems helping to supply the optimum amount of hormones necessary for the function of our body’s cells.
So it becomes obvious that free flowing movement is vital for good breast health. Look at the movement that occurs in a womans body when no bra is worn. This movement is vital for stimulating the lympthatic flow around the breast area. Breast feeding and pregnancy cause full development of the mammary lymphatics. Women who excercise have lower risk, probably due to better lymphatic circulation.
If you’ve ever travelled on a plane you may have experienced swelling of the feet and legs. This is due to restricted lymphatic flow during the flight and high altitiudes.
Obviously there are women who need support, but please be choosy in what kind of bra you wear. Underwire bras, even though physically flattering are the worst offenders. There is even evidence to suggest the metal used attracts EMF’s (electomagnetic frequencies) to this area of the body which may also contribute further problems.
Society’s fascination with a pair of boobs pushed up under our chins is purely conditioned and fashionable. With knowledge of how our bodies function comes a new way of looking at our physique which is beautiful and alluring in it’s natural state.
Bowen therapy helps to stimualte the circulation in the body. There are moves that are specific to the breast area that can be easily shown and taught to both men and women to stimulate lymphatic flow and oxygenation in the area.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymphatic_system
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-1172354/Health-notes.html
