Unique Fashion: Bra & Braless

Breast pain is one of the most common breast problems. Pain can range from mild to severe, and sometimes requires treatment. It may affect one or both breasts, or can radiate into the armpit. In general, breast pain is not a sign of cancer.

Breast pain categories

There are 3 categories of breast pain: pain related to the menstrual cycle, pain not affected by the menstrual cycle, and pain originating in the chest that feels as though it is in the breast.

Breast pain related to the menstrual cycle: This pattern of pain seems to be related to changes in hormone levels. Women usually feel increased breast pain before their menstrual period and a reduction in pain afterwards. Pain can be present with or without accompanying lumpiness of the breast due to a fibrocystic condition. Because stress can also affect hormone levels, this may influence breast pain. Breast pain is a common symptom of PMS.

Sometimes this pain is caused by trauma to the breast, or will center on the site of a previous breast biopsy. In most cases, doctors don’t know the cause of this continuous type of pain. Although breast cancer is very rare in women with this form of pain, it still must be ruled out with tests.Breast pain not affected by the menstrual cycle: This type of breast pain can show up in either premenopausal or postmenopausal women. It may be felt in one specific area of the breast, and is sometimes called “target zone” breast pain. It may occur in one or both breasts. In some women it lasts for as long as one or 2 years, then disappears.

Breast pain originating in the chest: This category is not really a form of breast pain, but is actually a type of chest pain that feels as though it is coming from the breast. This type of arthritic pain originates in the middle of the chest, and is called costochondritis. It occurs where the ribs and breastbone connect. Poor posture and the aging process can contribute to increased stress on these joints, resulting in pain. This pain does not change with the menstrual cycle.

Evaluating breast pain

Physicians evaluate breast pain by identifying its location and assessing its pattern, including its strength and how long it lasts. It is also important to know how much the pain interferes with a woman’s daily activities. A doctor’s assessment will include a woman’s medical history, physical exam, and, in some cases, a mammogram (X-ray of the breast) if the woman is over 35 years old, or an ultrasound exam. Surgical biopsy is not usually recommended. For most women with breast pain, the most important reason for a careful evaluation is to gain reassurance that the pain is not due to breast cancer.

Breast Pin Treatment – medication, lifestyle changes, and diet changes

Medication: Medication for pain relief is generally needed only in cases of severe, disabling pain. In women with costochondritis, aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed. Since pain relief medication can have unwanted side effects, it is worthwhile incorporating various lifestyle changes that can help reduce or eliminate the pain in many
women.

Lifestyle changes: Wearing a good, supportive bra reduces excess movement of the breasts, which can contribute to the pain. Also, learning how to relax the body fully can reduce stress-related hormones, which may affect the breasts. Many women have found
meditation and visualization helpful in quieting the mind. An exercise program may be beneficial, as well.

Diet changes: Although evidence of reduced breast pain from dietary change is not conclusive, many women have found it helpful to:

Eliminate caffeine (found in coffee, tea, cola drinks, and chocolate)
Reduce dietary fat by reducing intake of baked goods, meat, and high-fat dairy products, and increasing fruit, vegetables, and grains.
Reduce salt intake.
Take vitamin supplements. Talk to your doctor or a nutritionist about recommended doses (vitamin E, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), and evening primrose oil).

information from http://www.women-info.com/en/breast-pain/

Bra & Braless - 16:26

BREAST PAIN

Breast pain is one of the most common breast problems. Pain can range from mild to severe, and sometimes requires treatment. It may affect ...

Many people say that bras causing breast cancer is just a myth. It is true that bras do not cause breast per se, but ill-fitting, too tight bras can help cancer growth since they can prevent your body from excreting dangerous cancer-causing chemicals. And, as bra industry and even Oprah have noted, 80% of women wear the wrong-size bra.

The main reason why tight bras are bad for breast health is because they restrict the lymph flow in your breasts. There are numerous lymph pathways and lymph nodes in the armpits, under the breasts, and in between the breasts. Normally the lymph fluid washes out waste materials and other toxins away from the breasts, but bras (and especially push-up bras) inhibit this action, so toxins can start to accumulate in the breast, and that can help cancer to develop. In other words, bras inhibit the way our bodies normally cleanse themselves and get rid of cancer cells and toxins like PCBs, DDT, dioxin, benzene and other carcinogenic chemicals that cling to the body’s fatty tissues like breast.

In fact, if you find a lump in your breast, it may very well be filled with lymph fluid that was not able to move away from the breast tissue.

Bra wearing may also be connected to cancer in other ways. Wearing bras slightly increases the temperature of the breast tissue, and women who wear bras have higher levels of the hormone prolactin. Both of these may influence breast cancer formation.

Bras and Breast cancer

Singer and Grismaijer’s research

The first comprehensive study on this subject was done by medical researcher Sydney Singer and his wife Soma Grismaijer, triggered by Soma’s discovery of a lump in her breast while in the early stages of pregnancy. Terrified, the couple started researching the causes and risk factors of breast cancer, and found out that even diagnosing the lump (if it was cancer) carried a risk they didn’t want to take.

Soma stopped wearing bras, started doing regular breast massage and exercise, drinking only purified water, and taking some herbs and supplements. In two months, her lump was gone.

They noticed that the Maoris of New Zealand integrated into white culture have the same rate of breast cancer, while the marginalized aboriginals of Australia have practically no breast cancer. The same was true for “Westernized” Japanese, Fijians and other bra-converted cultures.

Singer and Grismaijer then studied 4,500 women in five cities across the U.S. about their bra wearing habits and later published their findings in a book “Dressed to Kill”. Though the study did not take into account other lifestyle factors, the results are too striking to be denied:

3 out of 4 women who wore their bras 24 hours per day developed breast cancer.

1 out of 7 women who wore bras more than 12 hour per day but not to bed developed breast cancer.

1 out of 152 women who wore their bras less than 12 hours per day got breast cancer.

1 out of 168 women who wore bras rarely or never acquired breast cancer.

So the difference between 24 hour wearing and not at all was 125-fold!

Singer and Grismaijer sent their results to the heads of the most prestigious cancer organizations and institutes of America. None responded.

The lymphatic system in the breast only develops fully during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so women who wear bras everyday and postpone having children, and those who do not breastfeed, could be at higher risk of breast cancer.

It is well known that the established risk factors for breast cancer only explain maybe 25% of the cancer cases. In other words, about 75% of the women who get breast cancer do not have any of the typically mentioned risk factors such as earlier history of breast cancer, smoking, or early menarche. Maybe wearing an ill-fitting bra (or even just any bra?) is a risk factor that could explain much of that ‘unknown’ variation!

Also it is well known from scientific research that women in western countries get more breast cancer than African women, for example. The difference in bra-wearing habits could easily explain this, too. Someone should take action and do more research!

Though studies along these lines are not numerous (probably because there is no money to be gained from asking women to not wear a bra), there are some which confirm the link between bra wearing and breast cancer, and also fibrocystic disease and breast cancer. In 1991 Hsieh & Trichopoulos studied breast size and left/right handedness as risk factors, and noted in the findings that premenopausal women who do not wear bras had less than half the risk of breast cancer compared with bra wearers. (Breast size, handedness and breast cancer risk. Eur J Cancer. 1991;27(2):131-5.)

In 2000, in a British study women were instructed to go bra-free for three months. Results:

“…women were interviewed and discussed the life-altering improvements in their breast health, such as being able to now pick up their children or hug their spouse without pain. A few highlights of the history of research on bras and breast disease by R.L. Reed.

“The result of this breast study has given me back my freedom. I can pick the children up whenever I want to. I can do anything and thebreast pain has now for me gone more and more into the background. I’m not anxious about my breast lumps because the pain’s not there so you don’t have it constantly on your mind and worrying about it. I get on with life; I enjoy life more. I don’t have to have a constant pain all the time.” Rae Marsh in Bras, the Bare facts, A documentary by channel 4 UK, aired November 2000.

David Moth has conducted an experiment where he measured the actual pressure exerted by bras. He says, “The results suggest that the lightest possible bras will still exert pressures in excess of that found within the lymphatic vessels.”

Ladies, next time you take your bra off, look at yourself in the mirror. You might see red lines on the sides and/or underneath your breasts, and marks on your shoulders from the straps. This is not a good sign; the lymph flow might have been cut off. Push-up bras and those with underwire or high side panels have even more constricting effect on the lymphatic vessels. It’s time to buy a better fitting one. Also try to give to your breasts free time from bras every day – if possible at least 12 hours.

Most people think that the pressure from bras (or from other tight clothes) is not a health hazard. We do know clothing and the pressure it creates does matter in some other body parts – why not for breasts? A study that investigated the pressures exerted by two different types of bras (a conventional brassiere and a newly devised low skin-pressured brassiere) found that there was a difference, and concluded: “Our data indicate that the higher clothing pressures exerted by a conventional brassiere have a significant negative impact on the ANS (autonomic nervous system) activity”.
(Effects of clothing pressure caused by different types of brassieres on autonomic nervous system activity evaluated by heart rate variability power spectral analysis. J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci. 2002 Jan;21(1):67-74.)

Another study found that wearing a bra decreased melatonin production and increased the core body temperature. Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant and hormone that promotes good sleep, fights aging, boosts immune system, and slows the growth of certain types of cancer, including breast cancer.
(The effects of skin pressure by clothing on circadian rhythms of core temperature and salivary melatonin. Chronobiol Int. 2000 Nov;17(6):783-93.)

BRAS and BREAST CANCER – Message to take home

All of this may sound far-fetched… your doctor may have never heard of it, but the evidence is there. Preventing breast cancer should be a very important matter for all of us. Drastically reducing the amount of time your breasts are bound in bras and being conscientious of only wearing well-fitting bras are easy steps to take that might save you a fortune in medical bills, and even your life!

(information from 007b.com – http://www.007b.com/bras_breast_cancer.php)

Bra & Braless - 15:59

How bras are linked to breast cancer

Many people say that bras causing breast cancer is just a myth. It is true that bras do not cause breast per se, but ill-fitting, too tight ...

It is estimated that every two minutes someone is diagnosed with breast cancer and every thirteen minutes some dies as a result of breast cancer. It has also been shown that breast cancer tends to be higher in cultures where bras are worn frequently compared to where bras are absent.

In a report titled “Dressed to Kill”, it was discovered that wearing a bra for 12 hours daily increased the risk for breast cancer, cystic breasts, breast pain, breast tenderness and other breast related conditions. Ladies who had bras on for 18-24 hours daily have over a 100% increased incidence of breast cancer compared to those who don’t wear bras at all.

But the facts available are that bras create constant pressure on the breast, which compresses and constricts and hinders the lymphatic movement to the chest area. But if you are a woman who wears a bra and you see red marks and lines after taking your bra off, you are at a greater risk for breast cancer.

You cannot just go braless overnight but if you must wear a bra, try it along the lines below which will most likely reduce the risk associated with the wearing of a bra:

Bra and Breast Cancer

Don’t wear tight bras.

Choose a bra with no underwear.

Used a larger size bra around your menstrual time as increased estrogen causes tissues to retain fluids making the breasts larger and the bra tighter.

Stop the use of deodorants/antiperspirants, if you can. Wash your armpits often with soap and water instead.

Sleep naked or in a stretchy T-shirt.

And most importantly wear bras only when it is completely necessary, this will reduce the number of hours you wear bra a day to the barest minimum.

So, do something for your health and your life.

(information from – http://www-market-online.com/braless.php)

BRAS vs. BREAST CANCER

A few highlights of the history of research on bras and breast disease:

In the 1930s a paper was published making a connection between corsets and increased breast cancer rates.

1978 An M.D. in California published an article in a medical journal linking bras with elevated breast temperature, and he suggested that this might have a connection with breast cancer. He studied several hundred women in a medical practice and also observed that the heavier the bra material, the hotter the breast, and that bra-free women of all sizes had cooler breasts. (The Lancet, November 4, 1978, P. 1001 Dr. John M. Douglass, Department of Internal Medicine, S. Calif. Permanente Med. Center Los Angeles, California).

1991 Researchers at Harvard University publish a medical journal article on breast cancer risk. As a side issue of their paper, they mention that the women in their study that did not wear bras had a 60% lower rate of breast cancer than the women who wore bras. (Hsieh, C.C. and D. Trichopoulos, D. Eur. J. Cancer 27:131-5, 1991 “Breast size, handedness and breast cancer risk”)

1991 Researchers in Japan published a study on bras and sagging, in which they proved that a bra can actually increase breast sagging, rather than the opposite. This effect was most noticeable in larger breasted women. They compared bras to foot binding in their discussion section. (“Breast Form Changes Resulting From A Certain Brassiere” Journal of Hum. Ergol.(Tokyo) 1990 Jun; 19(1):53-62. Ashizawa K, Sugane A, Gunji T Institute of Human Living Sciences, Otsuma Women’s University, Tokyo, Japan)

1995 Sydney Singer and Soma Grismaijer of the Institute for the Study of Culturogenic Disease published their book, “Dressed to Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras,” (Avery Press). Their study included almost 4600 women, half of whom had breast cancer and half of whom did not. They found that the more hours per day that a bra is worn, the higher the rate of breast cancer and that women who do not wear bras have a dramatically reduced rate of breast cancer. Singer and Grismaijer have a website at:

http://www.selfstudycenter.org/

1995 through the present. Many women, who had concerns about breast cancer risk and/or breast pain, quit wearing bras and then found that their pain and cysts of fibrocystic breast disease was dramatically decreased or eliminated. Several of these women wrote their own personal case histories, which appear on the web at: http://www.all-natural.com/fibrocys.html

May 1999. A landmark study was published in the prestigious British medical journal, The Lancet. This study showed that pre-menopausal women with fibrocystic breast disease have an almost 6-fold higher risk of future breast cancer. This study firmly refutes the advice of some doctors who have said that fibrocystic carries no increased risk. In all, there are now over 30 published medical and scientific research articles showing a connection between fibrocystic and increased breast cancer risk. (Lancet 1999 May 22;353(9166):1742-5 “Risk of breast cancer in women with palpable breast cysts: a prospective study.” Edinburgh Breast Group. Dixon JM, McDonald C, Elton RA, Miller WR Edinburgh Breast Unit, Western General Hospital, UK.”)

2000. Two British breast surgeons conduct clinical trials at two breast clinics in England and Wales. They study 100 women to see if going bra-free (a more positive term the physicians used for braless) could lessen breast pain. Their study concluded that the majority of pre-menopausal women found decreased pain during a three-month bra-free study period. The women were instructed to not wear a bra for three months and instead to wear a loose and non-restricting camisole if they desired an alternative undergarment. For comparison, they then returned to wearing bras for another three months. For additional study control, another group of women did the reverse and were bra-wearers for three months, then bra-free for three months. A half-hour documentary was filmed in conjunction with the studies and was shown on nationwide television in England in November, 2000 on Channel 4 UK. Several of the women were interviewed and discussed the life-altering improvements in their breast health, such as being able to now pick up their children or hug their spouse without pain. (Simon Cawthorne, M.D. surgeon at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, England and Prof. Robert Mansel, M.D., Surgery Dept. Head, University of Wales Medical School, Cardif, Wales.) Doctors interviewed in the film commented about how breasts in bras are hotter than bra-free breasts and the possible connection of this breast heating with breast cancer. Prof. Hugh Simpson discussed his published research, which has previously proven that pre-cancerous and cancerous breasts are both hotter than normal breasts. The documentary included video thermography of women with and without bras, proving that bras cause localized heating of breast tissue.

2000. A group of researchers in Japan published their studies showing that wearing a girdle and bra lowers the levels of the hormone melatonin by 60 percent. (Chronobiol Int 2000 Nov;17(6):783-93 “The effects of skin pressure by clothing on circadian rhythms of core temperature and salivary melatonin.” Lee YA, Hyun KJ, Tokura H, Department of Environmental Health, Nara Women’s University, Japan.)
Melatonin is intimately involved with sleep cycles and is used to prevent jet-lag. Numerous published studies have suggested that melatonin has anti-cancer activities, that it is an antioxidant and can prevent DNA damage, and that it is intimately involved in the immune system and can bind directly to T helper cells. Researchers in Spain have published an article outlining the possible use of melatonin in breast cancer prevention and treatment (Histol Histopathol 2000 Apr;15(2):637-47). Recent research (J. Hansen, “Light at Night, Shiftwork, and Breast Cancer Risk” J Natl Cancer Inst 2001; 93: 1513-1515) has shown that nighttime exposure to light is associated with increased rates of breast cancer. This builds upon previous research that showed that light at night suppresses melatonin production.

December 2000. A medical doctor published his findings on shoulder pain treatment in women with large breasts. In this five-year study, it was suggested that patients remove the weight from their shoulders for a period of two weeks, either by going braless or by wearing a strapless bra. Only one woman chose a strapless bra and all the others went braless. Quoting the article, “Long-term outcome was presence or absence of muscle pain and tenderness. Seventy-nine percent of patients decided to remove breast weight from the shoulder permanently because it rendered them symptom free.” (Ryan, EL, Clin J Pain 2000 Dec;16(4):298-303, “Pectoral girdle myalgia in women: a 5-year study in a clinical setting.”)

(information from – http://www.zhealthinfo.com/brasvscancer.htm)

Don’t wear a bra to bed.

Use a bra loosely. It should never leave a mark on your back or skin.

When removing a bra, massage your breasts to get the lymph flowing again.

Try to minimize wearing underwire, push-up or strapless bras.

Try not to wear a bra at all.

Bra & Braless - 15:49

BRALESS and BREAST CANCER

It is estimated that every two minutes someone is diagnosed with breast cancer and every thirteen minutes some dies as a result of brea...

Many women are surprised to learn that they’ve been wearing the wrong bra size. There are lots of reasons why women wear the wrong bra size – poor measuring skills, changes in body size, and changes in wardrobe all lead to bra faux pas.

Believe it or not, 80% of women wear the wrong size bra. The most common mistake is wearing a band size which is too big, and/or a cup size which is too small. You may have heard that 36C is the “average bra size”. Although the average bra size is often quoted as 36C, most people who wear this size should actually be wearing a 34D or 34DD bra. Cup sizes are relative to the band size, so a D cup, for example, is not the same size in every bra. A 32D is the same size as a 34C or 36B, but on a smaller frame. A 28F is actually 2 cup sizes smaller than a 38D. You may not think of yourself as being busty, but in moving to a smaller band size you will find that you need a bigger cup size.

Your bra size changes as your weight fluctuates throughout the seasons and the years. Sometimes you go for so long wearing a specific size that you don’t realize it doesn’t fit well anymore and you stop noticing the discomfort. If you’re looking for a better fit, here’s how to find your true bra size.

Important note – the measurements used in the steps of this guide refer to UK bra sizing. Although US bras are theoretically sized according to the same system, there is considerable variation between brands, so if you are in the US you may find you need a bigger band size and/or a smaller cup size than that indicated here. For example, A UK 32E may be equivalent to a US 34DD or even 36D.

Bra size

HOW TO MEASURE BRA SIZE – Procedure

1. Wear your best supporting bra. The bra doesn’t have to fit perfectly. The objective is to get your breasts to the position that the ideal bra would support, with the weight suspended comfortably. This step is optional, however, so if you can’t find a bra with good support, continue with the measurements.

2. Measure your band size. Run a tape measure all the way around your body just underneath your breasts and take a measurement in inches. Make sure the tape measure is horizontal and fairly snug. Your arms should be down. Round to the nearest even number. This should be your band size. For instance, if you measured 31 inches, your band size should be 32. If you measured 34.5 inches, your band size should be 34.
Many bra fitting guides will tell you to add four or five inches to your under-bust measurement, but this is not correct. The old method was devised in the 1930s when bra design was in its infancy and does not work with modern bras.

3. Measure your bust size. Measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust in inches (not too tightly or the measurement will be inaccurate). If you don’t have a bra, or if the one you have is very poorly fitting, bend over so your back is parallel to the floor and measure around your chest, over your nipples. Round this measurement up to the nearest whole number.

4. Calculate your cup size. Subtract the band size measurement from the bust measurement and determine your cup size as follows: (The cup size calculation may be less accurate for larger cup sizes.)

*Difference in inches*	*Difference in cm*	*Cup size*
less than 1 inch	1.3 cm	AA cup
1 inch	2.6 cm	A cup
2 inches	5.1 cm	B cup
3 inches	7.6 cm	C cup
4 inches	10.2 cm	D cup
5 inches	12.7 cm	DD cup
6 inches	15.2 cm	E cup (US DDD)
7 inches	17.8 cm	F cup (US DDDD)
8 inches	20.3 cm	FF cup
9 inches	22.9 cm	G cup
10 inches	25.4 cm	H cup

5. Try on a bra with the band size and cup size you’ve arrived at in these steps. Because there can be wide variations in how bras are manufactured as well as differences between different styles of bras, this size should be starting point.

6. Check the band size. The correct band size is the smallest you can comfortably wear. It needs to be tight enough that the bra is still fairly supportive without weighing down on the straps.

You should be able to run your fingers around the inside of the band, but not much more.
It should fit on the biggest adjustment, but will probably be too tight if you try to fasten it on the smallest size. Bras are designed to fit like this to leave room for the bra to stretch after you’ve worn it a few times.
If the band is painfully tight, even on the biggest adjustment, then go up a band size (and down a cup size to compensate). For example, if a 32D is too tight, try a 34C.
If the band is loose enough for you to be able to comfortably fasten it on the tightest adjustment, try a smaller band (e.g. 32D -> 30DD).

7. Check the cup size. The correct cup size is the biggest you can completely fill out. You should fill out the cups, but not bulge out anywhere.

Check both the top of the bra and the sides for bulging.
Make sure the under wire encloses your whole breast and is flush against your rib cage.
If the cup size is too big, go down a size.
If it is too small, or even if it seems to fit, try on a bigger cup size as well to double check.

Useful to know:

1inch = 2.54cm

cm x 0.39 = inch

inch x 2.54 = cm

HOW TO MEASURE BRA SIZE – tips

Bra size measurement

This measurement applies to the UK, but it can be translated into bra sizes for other countries using an international bra size calculator. US sizing may vary slightly – you may find that you need a bigger band size and/or a smaller cup size in US brands.

Cup sizes above D tend to vary much less reliably between manufacturers. Some brands go to the next letter of the alphabet for every added inch, while other brands may simply add on the same letter for every inch.

A well-fitted bra should provide support from the band, not the straps. You should be able to take off the straps and still feel supported by the bra.

Always try on a bra before you buy, and keep an open mind about your size.

It is possible to find out your bra size without a tape measure. If you already wear a bra which seems to fit well in the cup, but is roomy around the band, you can go down a band size and up a cup size until you get to a size you can only just fasten – this is the right size. (e.g. 36C -> 34D -> 32DD)

If you have uneven cup sizes, go with the bigger side. You can support the smaller breast by making that shoulder strap slightly shorter, or alternatively you can pad out the cup.

HOW TO MEASURE BRA SIZE – important to know

As mentioned above, this is only to give you an approximate idea of what size to try on first. Women come in all shapes and sizes, and bra size can be affected by back proportions, breast shape, pectoral muscle mass, and so on. All of these factors can interact to affect your bra size in ways that are impossible to predict.

Ignore anyone who claims to be able to tell you your size with certainty from your measurements – especially if they tell you to add several inches to your under-bust measurement. Just like dress sizes, bra sizing has changed over the years, and the old method does not work for modern bras.

If you have previously been told your size, but now find that a different size fits better, just wear the size that fits! The fit is more important than the number on the tape measure.

(information from HubPages – http://hubpages.com/hub/Measure-your-bra-size)

Bra & Braless - 15:35

HOW TO MEASURE BRA SIZE

Many women are surprised to learn that they’ve been wearing the wrong bra size. There are lots of reasons why women wear the wrong bra size...

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