Top section is general causes; section at bottom deals with bra's specifically.

From http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2601/is_0002/ai_2601000232 :

There are a number of risk factors for the development of breast cancer, including:

Family history of breast cancer in mother or sister
Early onset of menstruation and late menopause
Reproductive history: women who had no children or have children late in life and women who have never breastfed have increased risk
History of abnormal breast biopsies .

However, more than 70% of women who get breast cancer have no known risk factors. While a breast cancer gene was discovered in 1994, only about 5% of breast cancers are believed to be related to the gene.

In addition, some studies suggest that high fat diets, bottle feeding instead of breastfeeding, or using alcohol may contribute to the risk profile. Some studies have also found that for certain women, hormone replacement therapy may contribute to the development of breast cancer .

From http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/breastcancer.htm :

What are the causes of Breast Cancer ?

There are many factors for developing breast cancers. However, the exact cause is not known. It is suspected that more than one factor is involved. Also the risk of breast cancer increases as a woman gets older.

Personal history of breast cancer: Women who have had breast cancer face an increased risk of getting breast cancer in their other breast.

Family history: A woman's risk for developing breast cancer increases if her mother, sister, or daughter had breast cancer, especially at a young age.

Late childbearing: Women who have their first child late (after about age 30) have a greater chance of developing breast cancer than women who have a child at a younger age.

Early Menstruation and Late Menopause : Women who started their menstrual periods early (before age 12) or go through menopause late (after age 55) are at higher risk.

Breast density: Breasts that have a high proportion of lobular and ductal tissue appear dense on mammograms. Making it more difficult for doctors to see abnormal areas on a mammogram. Breast cancers nearly always develop in lobular or ductal tissue (not fatty tissue). That's why cancer is more likely to occur in breasts that have more lobular and ductal tissue (that is, dense tissue) than in breasts with more fatty tissue.

Obesity is a controversial risk factor: Some studies report obesit individuals have a higher risk of breast cancer, possibly associated with higher levels of estrogen production in obese women.

Radiation therapy: Women whose breasts were exposed to radiation before age 30, especially those who were treated with radiation for Hodgkin's disease, are at an increased risk for developing breast cancer. Studies show that the younger a woman is while receiving radiation treatment, the higher her risk for developing breast cancer later in life.

Alcohol : Some studies suggest a slightly higher risk of breast cancer among women who drink alcohol (more than 3 drinks a day.)

Oral Contraceptives (birth control pills) : Birth control pills may slightly increase the risk for breast cancer, depending on age, length of use, and other factors.

Hormone Replacement Therapy : More than 5 years of use has been shown to slightly increase the risk of breast cancer and it is found to increase with longer periods of usage.

Estrogen pills : Women consuming diethylstilbestrol (DES) to prevent miscarriage may have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Chemicals : Some studies have pointed to exposure to estrogen - like chemicals that are found in pesticides and other industrial products as a possible increased risk of breast cancer.

From http://www.medicinenet.com/cancer_causes/article.htm

Tobacco

Tobacco causes cancer. In fact, smoking tobacco, using "smokeless" tobacco, and being regularly exposed to environmental tobacco smoke without actually smoking are responsible for one-third of all cancer deaths in the United States each year. Tobacco use is the most preventable cause of death in this country.

Smoking accounts for more than 85 percent of all lung cancer deaths. If you smoke, your risk of getting lung cancer is affected by the number and types of cigarettes you smoke and how long you have been smoking. Overall, for those who smoke one pack a day, the chance of getting lung cancer is about 10 times greater than for nonsmokers. Smokers are also more likely than nonsmokers to develop several other types of cancer (such as oral cancer and cancers of the larynx, esophagus, pancreas, bladder, kidney, and cervix). The risk of cancer begins to decrease when a smoker quits, and the risk continues to decline gradually each year after quitting.

The use of smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco and snuff) causes cancer of the mouth and throat. Precancerous conditions, or tissue changes that may lead to cancer, begin to go away after a person stops using smokeless tobacco.

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, also called involuntary smoking, increases the risk of lung cancer for nonsmokers. The risk goes up 30 percent or more for a nonsmoking spouse of a person who smokes. Involuntary smoking causes about 3,000 lung cancer deaths in this country each year.

If you use tobacco in any form and you need help quitting, talk with your doctor or dentist, or join a smoking cessation group sponsored by a local hospital or voluntary organization. For information on such groups or other programs, call the Cancer Information Service (1-800-422-6237) or the American Cancer Society (1-800-227-2345).

Diet

Your choice of foods may affect your chance of developing cancer. Evidence points to a link between a high-fat diet and certain cancers, such as cancer of the breast, colon, uterus, and prostate. Being seriously overweight appears to be linked to increased rates of cancer of the prostate, pancreas, uterus, colon, and ovary, and to breast cancer in older women. On the other hand, studies suggest that foods containing fiber and certain nutrients help protect us against some types of cancer.

You may be able to reduce your cancer risk by making some simple food choices. Try to have a varied, well-balanced diet that includes generous amounts of foods that are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. At the same time, try to cut down on fatty foods. You should eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, choose more whole-grain breads and cereals, and cut down on eggs, high-fat meat, high-fat dairy products (such as whole milk, butter, and most cheeses), salad dressings, margarine, and cooking oils. For more, please read the Healthy Living article.

Sunlight

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun and from other sources (such as sunlamps and tanning booths) damages the skin and can cause skin cancer . Repeated exposure to ultraviolet radiation increases the risk of skin cancer, especially if you have fair skin or freckle easily. The sun's ultraviolet rays are strongest during the summer from about 11 a.m. to about 3 p.m. (daylight savings time). The risk is greatest at this time, when the sun is high overhead and shadows are short. As a rule, it is best to avoid the sun when your shadow is shorter than you are.

Protective clothing, such as a hat and long sleeves, can help block the sun's harmful rays. You can also use sunscreens to help protect yourself. Sunscreens are rated in strength according to their SPF (sun protection factor), which ranges from 2 to 30 and higher. Those rated 15 to 30 block most of the sun's harmful rays.

Alcohol

Drinking large amounts of alcohol increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and larynx. (People who smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol have an especially high risk of getting these cancers). Alcohol can damage the liver and increase the risk of liver cancer. Some studies suggest that drinking alcohol also increases the risk of breast cancer . So if you drink at all, do so in moderation, not more than one or two drinks a day.

Radiation

Exposure to large doses of radiation from medical x-rays can increase the risk of cancer. X-rays used for diagnosis expose you to very little radiation and the benefits nearly always outweigh the risks. However, repeated exposure can be harmful, so it is a good idea to talk with your doctor or dentist about the need for each x-ray and ask about the use of shields to protect other parts of your body.

Before 1950, x-rays were used to treat noncancerous conditions (such as an enlarged thymus, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, ringworm of the scalp, and acne ) in children and young adults. People who have received radiation to the head and neck have a higher-than-average risk of developing thyroid cancer years later. People with a history of such treatments should report it to their doctor and should have a careful exam of the neck every 1 or 2 years.

Chemicals and Other Substances In The Workplace

Being exposed to substances such as metals, dust, chemicals, or pesticides at work can increase the risk of cancer. Asbestos, nickel, cadmium, uranium, radon, vinyl chloride, benzidine, and benzene are well-known examples of carcinogens in the workplace. These may act alone or along with another carcinogen, such as cigarette smoke. For example, inhaling asbestos fibers increases the risk of lung diseases, including cancer, and the cancer risk is especially high for asbestos workers who smoke. It is important to follow work and safety rules to avoid contact with dangerous materials.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Many women use estrogen therapy to control the hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) that can occur during menopause . However, studies show that estrogen uses increases the risk of cancer of the uterus. Other studies suggest an increased risk of breast cancer among women who have used high doses of estrogen or have used estrogen for a long time. At the same time, taking estrogen may reduce the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.

The risk of uterine cancer appears to be less when progesterone is used with estrogen than when estrogen is used alone. But some scientists are concerned that the addition of progesterone may also increase the risk of breast cancer.

Researchers are still studying and finding new information about the risks and benefits of taking replacement hormones. A woman considering hormone replacement therapy should discuss these issues with her doctor.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES)

DES is a form of estrogen that doctors prescribed from the early 1940s until 1971 to try to prevent miscarriage . In some daughters of women who were given DES during pregnancy, the uterus, vagina, and cervix do not develop normally. DES-exposed daughters also have an increased chance of developing abnormal cells (dysplasia) in the cervix and vagina. In addition, a rare type of vaginal and cervical cancer has been found in a small number of DES-exposed daughters. Women who took DES during pregnancy may have a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer. DES-exposed mothers and daughters should inform their doctor about this exposure. DES daughters should have regular special pelvic exams by a doctor familiar with conditions related to DES.

Exposure to DES before birth does not appear to increase the risk of cancer in DES-exposed sons. However, reproductive and urinary system problems may occur. These men should inform the doctor and have regular medical checkups.

Close Relatives With Certain Types of Cancer

A small number of cancers (including melanoma and cancers of the breast, ovary, and colon) tend to occur more often in some families than in the rest of the population. It is not always clear whether a pattern of cancer in a family is due to heredity, factors in the family's environment, or chance. Still, if close relatives have been affected by cancer, it is important to let your doctor know this and then follow the doctor's advice about cancer prevention and checkups to detect problems early.

What would you do to reduce your risk of Breast Cancer?

Would you change your clothes?

"The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras"

A two year study, completed in 1993 and published in 1995 asked questions of 4,500 women in 5 cities across the U.S. about their habits in purchasing and wearing bras. The study also asked the individual's age, income level, exposure to radiation and toxins, attitude towards appearance, bra wearing history, habits and comfort factor, and whether they had been diagnosed with breast cancer. To minimize the number of genetic variables in the study, all women were Caucasians. To aid in the analysis, it was desired that about an equal number of women who had been previously diagnosed with breast cancer (2,056) be interviewed as those without (2,444).

The purpose of the study was to try and determine whether bra wearing was in any way connected with the development of breast cancer. The notion that clothing may affect the inner workings of your body can be difficult to accept. Yet the researchers were looking at the possible interference of a basic system of the body by the garments worn. This body structure, which is often associated with the treatment of breast cancer, is the lymphatic system. You may have heard of someone who had lymph nodes removed as part of a mastectomy procedure.

It may be hard to believe, but a cause for breast cancer has never been determined, despite all the research money that has been spent. There have been many studies that characterize women who are at higher risk for the disease, but these risk factors are not associated with a root cause. For example, it has been shown that affluent women are at higher risk for breast cancer than poor women. But affluence is not a cause, it is only a correlation or risk factor. The cause, however, may be associated with the culture and lifestyle of the affluent.

The medical basis behind this theory is rooted in the function of the lymphatic system and its physical location within the body. The importance of the lymphatic system is that many of the toxins that accumulate around the individual cells are washed away by the lymph fluid. While as extensive and complex as the blood's circulatory system, instead of having a main pump for circulation (the heart), the lymphatic has a collection of pockets (lymph nodes) and relies on one-way valves (as in veins) and body motion (such as walking and breathing) to accomplish the circulation of lymph fluid.

The link between the lymphatic system's role in washing toxins from cell tissue and the potential for cancer is simple. The many cancer causing toxins that are in our environment require time in contact with individual cells to begin the mutation into cancer cells. If the lymphatic fluid is prevented from circulating, the toxins remain in contact with the cells for longer periods of time.

The effect of clothing on the proper operation of the lymphatic system is largely influenced by the fact that the lymph vessels are very delicate and close to the surface of the skin. They are easily constricted by elastic or tight fitting garments. The bra, by its very design, constricts the lymph vessels responsible for removing toxins from the cells in the breast tissue.

This is the basis of the theory presented by Sydney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer as published in their book, Dressed To Kill. 1 If the wearing of a bra affects the function of the lymphatic system, then a woman's attitude toward her appearance and her habits in bra wearing should coincide with the development and diagnosis of breast cancer.

They write, "If a particular lifestyle predisposes women to breast cancer, we might be able to characterize women with breast cancer as a subculture--a smaller culture that exists within the larger culture. Since this particular lifestyle choice pertains to the wearing of bras, we would expect women with breast cancer and women without breast cancer to differ from each other in the way they wear their bras. And since lifestyles are related to attitudes and values, we would also expect that to accompany their different brawearing behavior, women in the breast cancer subculture would have different attitudes and values about their bras and breasts." 2

They postulated that if a malfunction of the lymphatic system, caused by tight fitting bras, was responsible for the concentration of cancer causing toxins within the breasts, then a correlation would be found between the bra wearing habits of women and the incidence of breast cancer in these women. Their theory was reinforced by the fact that most benign lumps and cysts found in the breasts are largely composed of lymph fluid. They found reports that women diagnosed with these lumps could often have them completely disappear by ceasing to wear their bra for several weeks.

So what did the study show? While there is not room to present all the results of their study, the relevant information is presented below. To the question, "Are you comfortable with the size and shape of your breasts without a bra?" 18% of the Standard (non-cancer) group responded yes, while only 5% of the Cancer group responded yes. "Do you select bras to shape or accentuate your breasts?" Standard group: 74% yes; Cancer group: 87% yes. "Other than price, what is the most important feature you look for when buying a bra?" Standard group: 30% appearance; 51% comfort; Cancer group: 62% appearance; 25% comfort. 3

This first set of questions shows that the selection of bras to enhance appearance was more important to the group that had been diagnosed with breast cancer. A bra that enhances appearance must, by necessity, squeeze and pull the breast tissue into position. One would expect this shaping to be evidenced by discomfort or red indentations on the skin.

"Does your bra ever make red marks on your skin or cause irritations?" Standard group: 23% always; Cancer group: 40% always. The red marks are a clear indication that the lymphatic vessels are being constricted just below the skin and unable to perform their job of cleansing the breast tissue. "How long do you wear your bra each day on the average?" Standard group: 20% less than 12 hours daily, 80% more than 12 hours. Cancer group: 1% less than 12 hours daily, 99% more than 12 hours. "Do you wear a bra to sleep?" Standard group: 3% yes; Cancer group, 18% yes. 4 One might expect that the longer the lymph vessels are constricted, the longer the toxins will be in contact with the breast tissue and hence the higher the likelihood of breast cancer.

So how do these survey results relate to the chance of developing breast cancer? The average white American woman wears her bra for more than 12 hours a day. From the survey results the authors have determined that, "The average white American woman is 19 times more likely to develop breast cancer than is a woman who wears a bra for less than twelve hours daily." Remember that some of these women claimed not to wear bras at all. In the sub-group of women who do wear bras, "women who wear bras for over twelve hours daily, but not to sleep, have a 21-fold greater chance of developing breast cancer than do women who remove their bras before twelve hours." 5

Remember that nearly 20% of the population wear a bra to bed, meaning the bra is constricting their breasts essentially 24 hours a day. The researchers write, "When we compare those women who wear their bras for less than twelve hours a day to those who wear them twenty-four hours a day, we see an enormous and extremely significant difference in breast cancer rates. Women who wear their bras all the time have a 113-fold increase in breast cancer incidence when compared with women who wear their bras less than twelve hours daily!" 6

So how do these numbers relate to the real world? The risk of developing lung cancer by smoking cigarettes is about 10 to 30 times higher than for people who don't smoke. The risk of developing breast cancer by wearing a bra more than 12 hours a day is 21 times higher than for women who remove their bra before that 12 hours. Wearing a bra is equivalent to smoking cigarettes as a cancer risk!

What is the price of fashion? Are the fashion demands of western culture killing our women? Have women become addicted to this under garment? Smoking is for many a chemical addiction. Stopping can be physically challenging. Bra wearing is a psychological addiction, or hopefully, just a habit for you. You can reduce your cancer risk by dispensing with this one garment. By properly selecting your outer garments, no one but you will notice.

Dare to try this for just one week. Choose your outfits to be comfortable, bra-less, but not revealing. I know you will feel strange at first, but stick with it. See if any one notices. (They won't.) See if you don't feel much more comfortable at the end of the week. (You will.) And best of all, you will have the peace of mind that the toxins, attempting to do damage in your breasts are being naturally removed by a properly operating lymphatic system. You can't guarantee that breast cancer will never shatter your life. But you can reduce your risk, simply by changing your clothes!

1 Sydney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer, Dressed to Kill, (Avery Publishing Group, New York, 1995). ISBN 0-89529-664-0
Available from The Naturist Society, P.O. Box 132 , Oshkosh , WI 54902 , Tel.414-426-5009.
2 Ibid. p. 87-88.
3 Ibid. p. 102-105.
4 Ibid. p.110-116.
5 Ibid. p. 125.
6 Ibid. p. 126.

BRAS AND BREAST CANCER

A Recent Article by Nguyen Phawk Yu, M.D.

or years, a lot of articles with regards to the causes of breast cancer point to an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise as the major links to this disease which happens to be the biggest killer among women during these last two decades. These studies would have been almost credible if it were not for the fact that several women (including Linda McCartney) who have been religious vegetarians and exercise-freaks have also been unfortunate in suffering breast cancer. Perhaps the most convincing article I have ever read with regards to this matter, published in Chinese, is one which links breast cancer to the wearing of bras. In the "Bra and Breast Cancer Study" in the United States , it was discovered that women with breast cancer had a history of sporting tighter and longer bra-wearing than did the women who had not (yet) developed the disease. In fact, virtually all of the cancer group wore bras over 12 hours daily with 18% even sleeping with their bras which means they wore bras 24 hours daily. In contrast, the comparison groups had 25% of the women either bra-free or wearing bras less than 12 hours daily. Only 3% of this group slept with their bras on. This study revealed a significant link between bras and breast cancer that is three times greater than the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer! There was a 125 fold increase in breast cancer incidence between women who were bra-free and those who wore bras 24 hours daily. Wearing a bra over 12 hours daily conferred a 113 fold increase in breast cancer incidence! Bras apply pressure to the breasts, especially to the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system consists of tiny, thin-walled vessels that drain from the breast tissue, removing toxins, cell debris, cancer cells, viruses, bacteria, and other products from the breasts. All of our tissues drain through the lymphatics, which is essentially the circulatory pathway of the immune system. However, unlike arteries and veins, these vessels have no internal pressure. As a result, they are easily compressed by external pressure (a bra, for instance) leading to the congestion of the tissues that would otherwise have been drained. When a woman wears a tight bra, she subjects her breasts to pressure, closing off the lymphatic pathway from the breast to the nodes. This causes fluid build-up, swelling, tenderness and cyst formation. Toxins must be flushed out via the lymphatics. However, a bra-constricted breast cannot adequately perform this cleansing process, resulting in toxin accumulation in the breast. Truthfully, bras are creating droopy, weak breasts...the breast relies on the bra for artificial support, the body loses its ability to support the breast by itself. This is why many women feel uncomfortable without a bra. What is the solution to breast cancer then? DON'T WEAR A TIGHT BRA! And maybe sleep without them. There is a remarkable success rate for recovery from fibrocystic breast disease within 10 days to two weeks of going bra-free. Many women have tried going bra-less and recorded a miraculous improvement in their health! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thank you for your kind attention, Nguyen Phawk Yu, M.D.

His USA data was apparently taken from the book by Singer and Grismaijer ( Dressed to Kill, Avery Press, 1995).

To test his theory, Singer compared women in Fiji , half of whom wear bras, half of whom go without. Singer found the bra-wearers get breast cancer at the same rate US women do. But, the Fijian women who don't wear bras have almost no incidence of breast cancer. Both groups share the same living environment and diet.

Their study (not medically supported) of over 4,700 women gave the following results: Women who wore their bras 24 hours per day had a 3 out of 4 chance of developing breast cancer (in their study, n=2056 for the cancer group and n=2674 for the standard group). 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. Women who wore bras rarely or never, had a 1 out of 168 chance of getting breast cancer. The overall difference between 24 hour wearing and not at all was a 125-fold difference. The Medical profession of course claimed it was a faulted study (not approved by them) but when you have risks falling from 3 in 4 to 1 in 133 you must be rather stupid to say there is no "bra" effect!