Big Bad Bras

CEBU, Philippines - For many women, our boobs can both be a cause of pride or insecurity depending on the size because, like it or not, many of us are judged by our cup sizes in the mating game. Breasts have become one of the distinguishing marks of being a woman. It is for this reason that flat-chested chicks like me are incessantly being teased and called “Dong” when we sport super short boy-cut ‘dos on top of our less than 32-A cups.

Gifted or not, it is more than important for us to take good care of our twins to save ourselves from the notorious killer that is Breast Cancer. I couldn’t agree more with a mentor that the choices we make about our health as young as we are now can be felt decades after.

Being the fun and fabulous females that we are, it pays to take a closer look at the everyday choices we do or don’t make that can lead us to or away from the dreaded disease.

Women love to dress up. In fact, among the many decisions we make day to day, many of us take up much of our very limited time in making choices that has anything to do with fashion. What dress to wear, what shoes would match what frock, pants or dirndl? And even if, from a man’s POV it all looks the same anyway, one of the most drastic questions we ask would be: what bra to wear?

The last question may seem quite trivial but when it comes to breast cancer, it is among the most important considerations a woman must make.

Sydney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer in their book Dressed to Kill believe that there is a direct connection between a woman’s bra choices and the likelihood of her developing breast cancer.

How is this so? It has everything to do with our lymphatic system and its location in the body. “Lymph” which comes from the Latin word meaning “clear water” functions to clean each of our cells from the toxins that tend to gather around them. According to breastnotes.com, the lymphatic system is made up of lymph nodes or tiny pockets that depend on veins and body movement like walking or breathing to accomplish the circulation of lymph fluids which rid our cells of all the filth and dirt. These are spread out all over near the surface of our skin. Highly delicate, our lymph nodes are easily constricted by anything that pushes against our skin too tightly like garter.

What happens when the toxins aren’t flushed out from our cells ASAP? Toxins stick around our cells longer and cause them to morph into cancer cells.

In a study conducted by both Singer and Grismaijer wherein they interviewed two groups of women—those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and those who do not have any trace of such, they found out that majority of those stricken with breast cancer consider appearance more important than comfort when it comes to choosing bras. They also found out that more women in this group wear their bras for more than twelve hours every day—some even wear their bras to sleep hence constricting their lymph nodes and preventing these from ridding their cells of toxins fast.

Since it is almost impossible for us to completely do away with bras, it pays to make the right choices when it comes to the selection of our inner garments.

First, choose the right kind of bra with comfort on your priority list. If you used to wear the kind of bras that leave those nasty red marks around the base of your bust, ditch them and choose those that fit you better. Do not attempt to go one size down your real cup size as a smaller cup size may sometimes be tighter around you. Opt for a bra that fits you to a T.

Second, be content with your current cup size. There’s a reason you were given that particular cup size so be happy with what you’ve got. Forget all that uncomfortable underwire if you do not really need it. Opt for softer styles or dresses that already go with a breast pad.

Third, do not wear a bra when you hit the sheets. Give your bust a break and go to bed sans the bra. Sleep is among the many ways that the body tries to recover from the day’s wrath so cut your bust some slack when you drift off to dreamland.

Fourth, avoid wearing a bra for more than twelve hours. Give your lymphatic system a chance to clean up your cells so the toxins won’t accumulate.

It’s scary to think that breastnotes.com likened the abused use of bras to smoking’s connection to lung cancer. Funny how small things can make a big difference—especially in health.

Guess it’s time to loosen up.