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New Theories / Re: BRA CAUSES CANCER BY 12500%
« on: 13/09/2005 21:46:25 »
I do not agree that bras are for support. There is nothing wrong with the female body that requires 20th Century lingerie for correction. When girdles were in fashion, their manufacturers claimed that they, too, were essential for abdominal support. In fact, however, the artificial support from the girdle resulted in weaker abdominal muscles, since the body comes to rely on the girdle instead of on its own muscular system for support. The same goes for the bra. They are only for fashion. And they create weak, droopy breasts. It is a myth, promoted by the bra industry, that bras prevent sagging or are necessary for breast support.
Interestingly, Singer and Grismaijer also did a study in Fiji to follow-up on their US study. They found that about 50% of the female population there wore bras, and breast disease was limited to this bra-wearing group. Comparing women from the same village, with the same diet and genetic background, those who developed breast cancer were those who had a history of wearing bras.
And while some women in the west, who were raised on bras, claim that they need a bra for comfort and "support", Singer and Grismaijer found many large breasted Fijian woman claiming that they couldn't wear a bra because their breasts were "too big"!
The problem is that women who have worn a bra since puberty have not developed their natural ligamental support system for their breasts. The breasts become reliant on the bra for support. It takes time for the body to relearn to support the breasts by itself once women go bra-free. However, according to Singer and Grismaijer, many women who have never worn a bra have reported that their breasts are firm and free from cysts and pain, even into their 60's.
I suppose wearing a bra during sports activities would be helpful, just as some men wear a jock strap. However, if men wore jock straps for 18 hours daily, there would probably be more cases of testicular cancer. (Tight underwear has already been shown to harm the testicles.) Also, keep in mind that one of the benefits of exercise is that it improves circulation. Wearing a bra inhibits this circulation.
As for breast massage, it would certainly help the breast lymphatics and help clear out some of the edema caused by chronic bra constriction. Self-massage would be best. But the problem is getting past the discomfort people have with the subject. After all, we live in a breast-obsessed culture where a mature discussion of breast massage is difficult. It is even illegal in some states for a massage therapist to offer a client a breast massage.
Given the taboo nature of breasts and bras, is it any wonder that this bra-cancer connection has been ignored?
Interestingly, Singer and Grismaijer also did a study in Fiji to follow-up on their US study. They found that about 50% of the female population there wore bras, and breast disease was limited to this bra-wearing group. Comparing women from the same village, with the same diet and genetic background, those who developed breast cancer were those who had a history of wearing bras.
And while some women in the west, who were raised on bras, claim that they need a bra for comfort and "support", Singer and Grismaijer found many large breasted Fijian woman claiming that they couldn't wear a bra because their breasts were "too big"!
The problem is that women who have worn a bra since puberty have not developed their natural ligamental support system for their breasts. The breasts become reliant on the bra for support. It takes time for the body to relearn to support the breasts by itself once women go bra-free. However, according to Singer and Grismaijer, many women who have never worn a bra have reported that their breasts are firm and free from cysts and pain, even into their 60's.
I suppose wearing a bra during sports activities would be helpful, just as some men wear a jock strap. However, if men wore jock straps for 18 hours daily, there would probably be more cases of testicular cancer. (Tight underwear has already been shown to harm the testicles.) Also, keep in mind that one of the benefits of exercise is that it improves circulation. Wearing a bra inhibits this circulation.
As for breast massage, it would certainly help the breast lymphatics and help clear out some of the edema caused by chronic bra constriction. Self-massage would be best. But the problem is getting past the discomfort people have with the subject. After all, we live in a breast-obsessed culture where a mature discussion of breast massage is difficult. It is even illegal in some states for a massage therapist to offer a client a breast massage.
Given the taboo nature of breasts and bras, is it any wonder that this bra-cancer connection has been ignored?