The Kind Life


bra

Haven’t we all heard that underwires in bras are bad for you, and could potentially cause cancer?
 
For years, I tried to avoid underwires most of the time. But sometimes a girl needs her underwire! So, I decided to do some digging, and here is what I found:

I found this article from Scientific American that explains how this rumor got started. Back in 1995, a medical anthropologist team published a book that stated "women who wore tight-fitting bras all day, every day, had a much higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who went au naturel." The argument basically said that by limiting lymphatic drainage, bras trapped toxins in the breast tissue, which caused cancer. However, since then, many studies have been performed to see if there is any truth in this and there has never been sufficient evidence to back up the authors' claim. Additionally, toxins typically travel up and out the armpits rather than staying in that general region.  

Many reputable sources agree that this myth was developed due to lack of knowledge of what causes the disease. We also know that diet is the most important factor in keeping cancer away.
 
Of course, wearing all natural, organic cotton bras is better for you anyway. So here are some friendly ones – cause let’s face it, wire bras are not very comfy…but so necessary sometimes!

And for more information about breast cancer you can check out Dr. T. Colin Campbell’s book The China Study , or Mina Dobic’s book My Beautiful Life . PCRM has a cancer survivor section on their website, and I also recommended getting to a Kushi Institute if you have one near you!

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  • Categories: health , style

Ohhh!  My kingdom for a supportive comfortable bra! Supportive comfortable bra - isn't that an oxymoron?!?!

Thank you for this post Alicia!  I have been trying to dispel this myth for years, but it is amazing how one rumour sticks.  My over 40, oversize girls need support :)  Doing yoga and other upper body movement exercises along with a healthy vegan diet gives you lymph drainage.  

I have a fairly large chest and I find it next to impossible to find a non-underwire bra that does anything to support.

Thanks for clearing this up!

Suzann

Makeup Without Cruelty

I'm the same way I can't live without underwire, but I have found some underwire bras that are unbelievably comfortable. You wouldn't even think they have underwire!

I read the book 'Dressed to Kill' and promptly donated all my bras ~ whether you believe the data or not, I choose to err on the side of my health. Breast cancer runs in my family, and already having fibrocystic disease, I decided to take no chances...and gee, bras have only been around for 100 years...a fairly new clothing item in the scheme of things ;) Now I wear a shapewear camisole that holds everything in place, my breast pain went away after a month bra-free and my last mammogram was totally pain-free so my cysts must be gone too! Although the cami isn't organic, I just feel more natural without that tight band across my chest. Try it for a month...you'll be surprised how great you feel :)

You can get some nice non wired things if you're willing to look to vintage styles, but alas they're not often organic or cotton.  But the old bullet bras or cross your heart bras are the best for larger breasts, if you want non wired.  

Having worked for a bra company I personally believe that a good fitting bra, whether wired or not is of the upmost importance to protect your tissues and give good posture, protect your back etc.

I'm 18 years old and a 36 D. My mom is the same size, and she recently bought a few underwire bras from a company called Genie Bra, and it is fantastic! Very comfortable, supportive, and no underwire! Definitely worth checking out!

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