Making a connection: Do bras cause breast cancer?

Among the most prolific cancers that urban women are afflicted with in modern times is cancer of the breast. And like most other forms of the disease, researchers still haven’t been able to pinpoint what exactly causes breast cancer and why some women are affected and others are not. Organichealth.com says that research, however, has shown some correlation between certain habits and incidence of breast cancer.

Antiperspirants/Roll ons

Putting on antiperspirant or roll ons is a routine part of most people’s day, and you may not think much about it. But here’s why you should: if you use one containing aluminium, you could be increasing your risk of breast cancer. Antiperspirants work by clogging, closing, or blocking the pores that release sweat under your arms — with the active ingredient being aluminium. Not only does this block one of your body’s routes for detoxification (releasing toxins via your underarm sweat), but it raises concerns about where these metals are going once you roll them (or spray them) on. The risk increases even more if the antiperspirant is used immediately after shaving.

Many physicians and researchers agree that wearing a tight-fitting bra can cut off lymph drainage, which may contribute to the development of breast cancer because your body will be less able to excrete all the toxins you’re exposed to on a daily basis. Aluminium from antiperspirants is one potentially dangerous source of toxins that can accumulate if your lymph drainage is impaired.

When comparing women who wore their bras 24 hours a day with those who did not wear bras at all, there was a 125-fold difference in risk. Based on the results of this study, the link between bras and breast cancer is about three times greater than the link between cigarette smoking and cancer. A group of Japanese researchers found that wearing a girdle or bra can lower your levels of melatonin by 60 per cent. The hormone melatonin is intimately involved with the regulation of your sleep cycles, and numerous studies have shown that melatonin has anti-cancer activities.

• A study of over 4,000 women found that women who do not wear bras have a much lower risk of breast cancer
• Women who wore their bras 24 hours per day had a 3 out of 4 chance of developing breast cancer.
• 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 for less than 12 hours per day had a 1 out of 52 risk.
• Women who wore bras rarely or never, had a 1 out of 168 chance of getting breast cancer.