by Taetske | 4:41 pm
(Last Updated On: March 6, 2022)

 

Breast cancer and its physical and emotional consequences

 

Bras with frills and laces

Bras with frills and laces image Andreas Lischka

 

Cancer is a dreaded word and I think that most women fear to have breast cancer. The effects are so visible. Looking in the mirror will be a shock and the fear your partner will not find you attractive anymore might cause a big depression.

Having had your children, an operation to have your uterus, or even the ovaries removed at least is not visible on the outside. You will have a scar which hopefully heals nicely. That you are not told how a hysterectomy will cause havoc to your hormone production is quite a different issue and something I have experienced personally. You can read the story on the About Me page.

There are many reasons you might get cancer. Personally, I think it has a lot to do with modern life, unhealthy habits, and unhealthy foods which are contrary to our well-being. The human body is amazing and can cope with a lot plus repair itself, but continuing to sin, one day you will have to pay the price.

 

Are bras harmful?

I have come across some news which I find rather disturbing and one does not hear much about it yet in mainstream media. The question is, do bras cause cancer? A rather unsettling thought.

Any man who will be reading this post might think, aha, that little black or red frilly and lacy nothing. Men seem to like those. That sexy bra you put on and he takes off.

Actually, I am going to talk about the everyday bra, the one that feels comfortable whether doing housework, going shopping, having a job, or taking part in sports. For those activities, that little black or red nothing is not so indicated.

Before I dive into this information and tell you some more about this subject, I would like to take you on a little bra history tour. Wikipedia again is a big help for this issue and comes up with some curious information.

One thing we should not forget is that bras are a multi-billion-dollar industry dominated by large multinational corporations. As what happens with other enormous industries (think fast food and McDonald or Soda pops like Coca Cola), our health is not important but earning money is the main issue.

 

Egypt

As in the times of the Pharaohs, one could walk around topless. You would wear a skirt and a sheath dress which is like a tunic or Kalasiris. This might cover you completely or only partially, I would call this flexible fashion.

 

India

In this country, fashion also changed over time. Looking at ancient Indian sculptures, the ladies would not wear a blouse. Later on, the tailors started making tight-fitting bras and blouses and the half-sleeved tight bodice is prominent in around 1237 AD. Today in India women and girls still wear these garments which can be exquisite and colorful, made of silk with embroidery.

 

Greece

3000 years ago, the Minoan women living on the island of Crete seemed to have worn a type of bikini. Female athletes from those times would wear them to restrain their breasts during sports and competitions. Later on, Grecian ladies would wear a garment with a crossed breast band which seems to have been liked by the men of those times as it accentuated this part of the female body.

 

Rome

The women of ancient Rome adopted the Greek style of women’s clothing and young girls would wear a breast band that was tightly fitted, thinking it would prevent their breasts from growing too big.

 

Middle Ages

In an edict of Strasbourg, in the Holy Roman Empire, it was stated in 1370 that “No woman will support the bust by the disposition of a blouse or by the tightened dress”. There you see we were already being dictated to by men.

The funny thing though is that in an archaeological find circa 1390 to 1485 four lace-decorated bras were found during a renovation project in an Austrian castle. There seems to have been a shift in behavior. Anyhow, in those times, this part of the female body was not so predominant.

 

The Renaissance

In the Renaissance, the so-called decolletage became popular so this part of the female anatomy became more visible. Women of the higher class would not breastfeed their babies to retain their youthful shape.

 

The Victorian era

Different epochs came, like the Victorian era. A rather strange time where table legs were covered less you start thinking about human legs. Or the towels in the bathroom had a cover, otherwise, you might start thinking about naked bodies. I have one of those beautifully embroidered cloth hanging in my house. The ladies were also covered up to their necks most of the time.

Those were the times when ladies were pressed into a corset and salts were often needed, as they would frequently faint. Some physicians were warning this was not healthy. But many of their colleagues would state it was a medical necessity because of a women’s biology and the needs of civilized order.

There you see, we were being ruled again. Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward was an early feminist who said later in life that women needed to burn their corsets.

You may ask when was the bra as we know it invented? Well, it seems not everybody agrees on this but let’s say it is from the early 19th century. A variety of people invented different models but in 1893, Marie Tucek received a U.S. patent for a device that included shoulder straps, hooks on the back and resembled what we now call the underwire bra.

In the 1930s they shortened the word brassiere to the bra and that is what we call this piece of lingerie today. It became a booming industry, and it launched all kinds of things on the market. Nursing bras, Bullet bras, push-up bras, you name it. It would come on the market making the companies rich.

As you can see, the bra has gone through a real evolution. The question is, do women need to wear it, and when they do can it have a negative effect on their health?

 

Mammography

Mammography image Elias Alarcon

 

Some data on breast cancer

In our modern world, breast cancer is on the rise. In 2019, 271.270 new cases in women were expected and will be reported and a possible 2.670 cases diagnosed in men. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women after skin cancer.

The introduction of the mammogram has, overall, not changed much to reduce the number of breast cancer cases. Personally, I had a mammogram twice in my life and will never repeat this procedure.

Many years ago, I think it was over 20 years ago when I started with a new gynecologist. I told him that this invention was barbaric. If men would need to squeeze their best piece into a machine for a checkup, an alternative method would have been invented immediately. That is also why I wonder why a more sensitive method was not invented for women.

 

Pregnant woman having an Ultra-Sound test

Pregnant woman having an Ultra Sound test image MedicalPrudens

 

There are different test possibilities

My doctor laughed and said no problem, we can do an Ultrasound and that is what we settled on for the following years. One has to be informed about the pros and cons and told about the alternatives, which in my eyes are a lot better.

The following video is just some 8 minutes long. After looking it becomes more than clear one should do all that is possible not to have this ghastly experience. Personally, I would not want chemotherapy. After all, it is a potent and horrible poison.

 

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The importance of the right food

The website from breastcancer.org, says Think Pink, Live Green, and I must say I like that. I am convinced that what we put into our bodies has a big effect on our health. It is said that the diet you follow will be partly responsible for 30% up to 40% of all cancers. A big reason to take a serious look at what you are eating.

It would be a good idea to have a diary and write down everything you eat for 1 week. You might be shocked at the crap and empty food that goes into your system. You need living food, or foods that have not been processed, to stay healthy. Men-made food does exactly the opposite, do not forget that.

If you now and then give in to temptation, that is OK, because being stressed that you cannot eat anything nice is also bad for your health. But processed foods should not be the standard. Stay away from conservatives and preservatives unless it is absolutely necessary.

Eating the wrong things, which contain lots of sugars and bad fats, will make you gain weight and that seems to heighten the risk for breast cancer. There is one thing I disagree with when the breastcancer.org website comments on lowering your fat intake. Yes, processed fats are bad, but extra virgin olive oil or coconut fat is good.

I would say do not drink milk at all, that is something for babies. Opt for coconut milk. You can soak different seeds in this milk and even use it for your coffee. Obviously, the closer you eat to nature the better and avoid GMOs and anything sprayed. Buy organic whenever you can. Do not buy prepared meals, fast food, and cook your own meals with whole and fresh ingredients.

 

Girl jogging in the forest

Girl jogging in the forest image Andy Choiusky

 

A study on the effect of wearing a bra

OK, let’s get back to what this post is about. Can a bra cause cancer? The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center performed A National Cancer Institute-funded study. The idea was to find out if there was a link between bras and breast cancer. The idea sounds good, don’t you think? The more we know about breast cancer-causing things the better.

There is a big problem with this study as the research did not include bra-free women or women under 55. There is a Chinese study of 2008 and another study of 2011 done in Venezuela. Even a Scottish study in 2014. These three studies show there is a significant bra-cancer connection.

It did mention a study of Harvard of the year 1991, which states that there is a 100% higher breast cancer rate in younger women who wear bras compared to bra-free women. They considered the Harvard study flawed, and that is why we hardly heard of it. But there are more sources which give a logical explanation of why wearing a bra, less often instead of more often, can have a beneficial effect.

The slight movement of the breasts, be it walking or running, is beneficial, as it provides a gentle massage that helps the tissue to be cleaned of toxins. Restrictions in this area are bad and hinder the lymphatic flow. Take the advice, never sleep with a bra. Keep those push-ups with underwire for special occasions.

The materials used for bras are mostly latex, etc. It is seldom you will find 100% Cotton. Fruit of the Loom does have 100% Cotton bras which are good for everyday wear.

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Conclusion

As so often happens when money is at stake, you really have to read between the lines. Do not follow crazy fashion trends if it can harm your health. You are responsible for your health and luckily you can do a lot to remain cancer-free. You choose what you eat, how you live and when to wear a bra, and how often.

I have made a special page for my visitors. Do check the Recommendations I have for you.

 

Source: NaturalHealth365, article by Sydney Ross Singer, Medical Anthropologist on January 28. 2020

Photo Source: Pixabay

 

Women have to take care of their health. Do not be fooled by the latest fashion. It is nice to not have too many wrinkles, but you can achieve this by eating nutritious food, do not smoke, sleep enough hours, and do not lie in the sun for hours on end.

There are treatments on the market which can really be harmful. Inform yourself well before you decide to do anything special for your looks.

Botox, The Most Dangerous Substance In The World

 

 

Comments

Mike Ramen

Right when you mention cancer, I think it gets everybody’s attention. I think that anything to do with bras, and breast cancer, a lot of people pay attention to. The thing is because bras are so readily available, people just really don’t give them a second thought. It’s kind of like how some people will put plastic in the microwave, it’s an invisible killer.

I hope you don’t think that my way of talking about this is too straightforward. I like how you have a lot of information, if people are already looking at something about breast cancer, they’ll definitely be looking for more information. This article was very informative

Feb 18.2020 | 07:05 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Mike

    Thank you for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    I never had and will never have a microwave oven. Why would I want to eat food which is altered on a cellular level and also changes me on a cellular level? All these human inventions which are so harmful I do not want to have in my life.

    It is not easy to stay healthy nowadays. The more one is informed the better chance one has. Often people come with the argument, but everybody is doing it. That is not a good argument. We have to investigate to be able to make a well informed personal decision not blindly following the masses.

    Regards, Taetske 

    Feb 18.2020 | 04:13 pm

Dave Sweney

Wow, Taetske, this warning about using bras and the possible connection to breast cancer really came as a surprise to me! This is the first that I have heard of it, and I am so glad that I came across this article today. You bring up some very salient points that convince me this is something to worry about (I have a lot of girls in the family).

That study that noted a 100% increase in cancer for women wearing bras is alarming, and no wonder that big industry is repressing it (apparently) as bras are such big sellers all over the world. I have always been an advocate for going braless in most situations, and although I am a bit prudish when it comes to my daughters, as long as they are covered, it does not matter that they are not bound underneath.

I will ask the kids what they think about this article and let them make their own conclusion and decisions of course (they will anyway) but they do need to read this. I think it is important. The more you know the better decisions you can make, and this is another good find that you have uncovered (no pun intended)! Thanks for your investigative efforts on this!

Feb 18.2020 | 07:11 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Dave,

    Thank you for visiting again and for leaving a comment.

    I must say I had to smile when I read that bit about your daughters. It brought back an old memory. In 1969, I was 19, miniskirts were fashion and I was wearing those types of skirts. My parents had moved to Italy and were living at the Como lake in Bellagio. I was studying at the University for Foreigners in Perugia/Umbria.

    My parents came to visit and my Father got a tic nervous by the behavior of the Italian men on the street. I had to walk in front, then came my Mother and Papa would walk behind us observing what was happening. Fathers and their daughters. Your daughters will do what they want and you will observe in the background and hope for the best, that is life.

    There are other studies out there that state that a big percentage of women buy the wrong size of bra which then will accentuate the problem.

    Regards, Taetske

    Feb 18.2020 | 04:26 pm

Stratos K

There are so harmful factors nowadays that it’s hard to pinpoint what causes breast cancer. Except for obvious cases where you may have a medical history in the family the way that most people live can lead to that. It can be food, it can be the air we breathe, it can be a lifestyle, chemicals that we are surrounded by all the time. Obviously we cannot live in a cave or a jar to avoid everything but there are certain things we can do to help improve some of these and in extent lower the possibility for cancer to develop. 

Eat healthy food, sleep well, exercise, don’t use harmful chemicals and as you mentioned wear clothes that will not be harmful to the breast are some of the things that we can control. Even for the air we breathe, we can use special ionizers for our home. Obviously, when we are outside there is not much we can do about this but in general, there are certain things that are in our power to control and change and for sure this can lower the possibility of developing cancer. Unfortunately, most people don’t think about it until it’s too late which is a shame really.

Feb 18.2020 | 07:18 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Stratos,

    Thank you for visiting and for leaving a comment on my post. I hope you have downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    You are right in saying that there are so many harmful factors nowadays which are a menace to our health. One really wonders how we got into this stupid situation as most of this is man-made. We pollute the air and water, we spray our food, and the list is far longer. It is really sad that we are not doing a huge cleanup on our planet as we would be way more healthy.

    Often people do not think that everything has a consequence and neither are they really interested to inform themselves well. The population presents a sad picture and with all the scientific advances on a whole we are not healthier, a real shame.

    Regards, Taetske

    Feb 18.2020 | 03:25 pm

Shanta Rahman

Many thanks to you for sharing such an excellent article.  I think breast cancer in women is horrible and hope it will not happen to me. I personally experienced my mother’s breast cancer and saw the physical and emotional consequences. I am not sure but perhaps wearing the wrong bra might have contributed.

Currently , women are more aware of the different risks, but the number of breast cancer cases has not decreased. Through your article, I learned that older women are more aware of this problem. I certainly want to thank you for discussing such an important topic.

Lastly, I think everyone needs to be aware of this cancer and through your article, people will be able to get a proper understanding of this worldwide problem.

Feb 18.2020 | 07:20 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Mobashera,

    Nice to see you again on my website. Thank you for your comment.

    It must have been very difficult to see your mother suffering. Cancer is indeed an awful illness. My Mother also had cancer in 1973 but luckily she survived and lived till 1997. I go for my annual checkup, eat as healthy as possible and in total think, I have a good chance of escaping this dreaded illness. 

    The cleaner your system is the better. You have to try to keep an alkaline environment inside as cancer cells hate that. The more acidic your system becomes the bigger the chance you have of falling ill.

    Regards, Taetske

    Feb 18.2020 | 04:46 pm

Sharon

I have not read such a good informative article for quite some time. This is very educational. Thanks for sharing, Taetske.

Feb 21.2020 | 08:50 am

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Sharon,

    Thank you for your visit and for leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    That is very kind to say you thought my article is informative. I have 2 websites, this one is focused on health-related things and the other site more environmental-related.

    I write about things which catch my attention, actually, the world is full of interesting and important information.
    I hope to see you again someday.

    Regards, Taetske

    Feb 21.2020 | 03:28 pm

CherrieAlesia

Hi there,

Your site provides some very interesting information. However, I am not sure how trustworthy Wikipedia is for research topics. I am positive that women (and men) do not consider cancer when they are looking at all the beautiful bras on the market. And I am doubly positive that we, as women, do not think about those comfy bras and cancer.

Yes indeed, very good topic.

CherrieAlesia

Apr 28.2021 | 03:46 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Cherrie,

    Thank you for your visit and for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    I now and then use Wikipedia when writing a post. In this post, I needed some information on the history of the bra. There are many other excellent sources that one can use. Do you know of the World Digital Library? wdl in short and it is a dot org. There you can find some unusual things. 

    I have reduced wearing those pretty bras. At home, I only use those without wire and definitely have never slept in a bra in my life.

    Regards, Taetske

    Apr 30.2021 | 06:43 am

Birdiedropper7

Thanks for sharing. As others have commented, I had not thought about the connection between the two. I completely agree with your assessment on the foods we eat and how we need to be aware of what we are consuming. Good points!

Do you think that the main problem in bras that could cause a problem or risk is chemicals used in creating them? Or the latex? I like that you found and gave a suggestion of an all cotton one that ladies can purchase that could be a safer alternative to latex versions. Thanks again!

Apr 28.2021 | 03:51 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning,

    As I live in the south of Spain, I know from experience that you best wear cotton in the hot summer. Other fibers stick and itch. Playing golf at 40C you can imagine how uncomfortable that would be.

    I wrote a post on 60 chemicals found in diapers so I would not be surprised if there are harmful substances in bras. I have not come across that type of information yet. It seems that those pushup bras are not healthy as it presses too much. The same as that stupid mammography machine.

    Thank you for your comment. I hope you downloaded the free PDF? Tulip widget.

    Regards, Taetske

    Apr 30.2021 | 06:53 am

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