"CHIROPRACTIC FOR AN EVOLVING PLANET"

Jeffrey Benton, D.C., 6360 Wilshire Blvd. #210 Los Angeles, CA. 90048  (323) 297.0566

Bras, Breast Cancer, and Diet: Can fashion kill you?

90% of all women will experience at least a breast cancer scare by finding a lump in the breast. Breast cancer has the highest incidence of any cancer, and is second to lung cancer for mortality to women.

In my research, I recently read a remarkable book: "Dressed to Kill" by Singer and Grismaijer (published by Avery, 1995). It describes the cure of Soma Grismajer's breast lumps, and the research it triggered. Although much study and money has been poured into breast cancer research and detection (exams, mammograms, etc.), the mortality rate has remained unchanged since before the medical "war on cancer began. And still the cause of breast cancer remains unknown to medical research.

The authors, medical anthropologists (who study cultural, lifestyle, and related health matters, and are inclined to view people's health in a larger light than just molecules and germs alone; began to take a new look at why certain nations and cultures had lower breast cancer incidence. They began to consider the possibility that genes weren't the only factor. Japanese women are among the lowest breast cancer population.  But by the second and third generation of those that live in America, the rates skyrocket to regular American levels. Although links with toxins are known, why does a toxin after entering the body, selectively choose breast tissue? Of all risk factors thus far studied, 70% of the breast cancers were unexplained by any of them.

The theory is:- The lymphatic system of the breast, which drains toxins from tissues, is compressed [by a bra], resulting in lymph fluid buildup in the tissues. This harms the cleansing and feeding of cells. Toxins accumulate uniquely there, and poison cells. Lumps and cysts develop, which can eventually worsen to cancer.

As a side note, other constrictive clothing can cause similar ill effects on men or women, e.g. too tight a belt, or panty hose (more restrictive with "tummy control") compressing the abdomen.

In a study of 2,056 women diagnosed with breast cancer, and 2,674 who had no known diagnosis of breast cancer, the following staggering results appeared. The average woman is 21 times more likely to develop breast cancer if she wears a bra over 12 hours a day, compared to women who wear them less than 12 hours.

Women who wear bras even to sleep, essentially 24 hours per day, have 125 times greater incidence than if wearing no bra at all, and 113 times greater incidence than people who wore a bra less than 12 hours per day. 99% of the cancer group wore their bras more than 12 hours per day. You may need to read these statistics again to grasp their meaning and impact.

The red marks and Indentations on shoulders from straps caused by pressures from under-wires and side panels appear less than natural. The tightness and discomfort of a bra that you have long since ignored and learned to live with, can have deadly repercussions. Bras that are too small, improperly fitted, push-up, or are too tight at certain times of the month are worse.

In our Studio City office a patient who had severe fibrocystic breast disease that was tested as pre-cancerous gave up wearing her bras. Coupled with nutritional and chiropractic therapy, she has been free of all cysts and all problems ever since.

Besides not wearing a bra, or reducing the hours of wear, other methods to enhance the correction of breast lumps can be employed. Specific nutrients - especially soy, lots of pure water and manual techniques, and specific exercises to enhance lymph drainage can often be utilized and is recommended for optimal health.

Who would have thunk it?- A change in fashion could save your life.