Warning: Breast Exo-Ligament Linked to Breast Cancer
Sydney Ross Singer
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Abstract
Whenever anyone wears a “supportive” garment, the garment is acting as a ligament, since ligaments support body structures. In the case of the breasts, you often see them “supported” by bras. This means the bra serves as a ligament to hold the breasts elevated and firmly against the chest. This is what a ligament does, except this one is on the outside of the breast. Biophysics and biomechanics show how tight clothing can interfere with the extracellular matrix and lymphatic circulation due to compression and constriction. Our bodies were not designed to have exo-ligaments pressing on our skin from the outside. Of course, supporting the breasts from the outside compresses the bra to the chest. That is different than supporting the breasts from within the tissue, where the breasts are anchored in place to the chest wall by the natural, internal suspensory ligaments. Being anchored to the chest from the inside does not lead to compression, but being smashed to the chest from the outside does cause compression. What happens when you compress the breasts with a bra exo-ligament is explored in this article, and includes lymph stasis, breast pain, cysts, and cancer.
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HOW BRAS CAUSE LYMPH STASIS AND BREAST CANCER
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Warning: Discovery of anatomical structure that causes breast cancer
Human anatomy has traditionally focused on the biological, naked body. However, humans are cultural creatures who alter their anatomy with clothing. This alteration in structure also alters function, which is evident with tight clothing, such as bras. This article suggests that bras serve as an exo-ligament for breast “support”, and that the compression of the breasts from this exo-ligament results in lymphatic impairment, reduced immune function, increased tissue toxification, and increased breast disease, including cancer. It is argued that medicine should consider the biomechanical impact of tight clothing as an extension of human anatomy, to better understand how the human body is physically and physiologically altered by culture.
Are compression corsets beneficial for the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema? New opportunities in physiotherapy treatment – a preliminary report
OncoTargets and Therapy, 2016
Introduction: Treatment of secondary lymphedema still remains an important medical issue. Treatment response is characterized by periodic remission rather than complete recovery. Compression methods currently used as part of complete decongestive therapy vary considerably in efficacy. Manual drainage, bandaging, and compression pumps are ineffective in everyday practice. Positive results have increasingly been reported where compression garments have been used as part of the treatment. This pilot study demonstrates a beneficial effect following the use of compression corsets in the treatment of edema in breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Material: A total of 35 women with BCRL were enrolled. Of these, 29 patients completed the study. Methods: Ultrasound (B-mode) was used to evaluate lymphedema in the side of the chest after mastectomy. This test was performed three times at a specific site on the operated side and symmetrically on the opposite side. Subsequently, patients were fit with an appropriate compression corset. The data were then statistically analyzed. Conclusion: After the surgical treatment of breast cancer, lymphatic fluid reservoirs may form at the side of the chest. The use of carefully selected compression corsets is an effective treatment for BCRL. Corsets are an important item, which we recommend should be included in compression clothing sets. We anticipate this finding will form the foundation for further work on the use of modern compression garments for the treatment of BCRL as well as contribute to the limited number of published reports that exist on the subject.
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Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 2020
More systematic breast biomechanics research and better translation of the research outcomes are necessary to provide information upon which to design better sports bras and to develop effective evidence-based strategies to alleviate exercise-induced breast pain for women who want to participate in physical activity in comfort.
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Optics Express, 2008
Physiological tissue dynamics following breast compression offer new contrast mechanisms for evaluating breast health and disease with near infrared spectroscopy. We monitored the total hemoglobin concentration and hemoglobin oxygen saturation in 28 healthy female volunteers subject to repeated fractional mammographic compression. The compression induces a reduction in blood flow, in turn causing a reduction in hemoglobin oxygen saturation. At the same time, a two phase tissue viscoelastic relaxation results in a reduction and redistribution of pressure within the tissue and correspondingly modulates the tissue total hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation. We observed a strong correlation between the relaxing pressure and changes in the total hemoglobin concentration bearing evidence of the involvement of different vascular compartments. Consequently, we have developed a model that enables us to disentangle these effects and obtain robust estimates of the tissue oxygen consumption and blood flow. We obtain estimates of 1.9±1.3 µmol/100mL/min for OC and 2.8±1.7 mL/100mL/min for blood flow, consistent with other published values.
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External Breast Prostheses: Misinformation and False Beliefs
Abstract and Introduction This article discusses common myths associated with the use of external breast prostheses and the impact this misinformation may have on the quality of life of women after mastectomy. A review of the literature reveals that very little research has been conducted on this subject. The majority of information on breast prostheses is provided by the manufacturers and tacitly accepted by healthcare providers and the media in general. Claims regarding the medical necessity of a weighted prosthesis and the suitability of gel fillings are examined and found wanting. Widespread acceptance of these myths may be preventing women from pursuing healthy lifestyle options and restricting the development of more suitable prosthetic products. The article concludes that a rigorous, evidence-based approach to the evaluation of external breast prostheses would enhance both the development of this noninvasive and cost-effective sector of post-mastectomy care, as well as the adjustment, well being and quality of life of breast cancer survivors. False beliefs and myths exist in the practice of medicine, extending as well to the treatment of breast cancer.[1-3] Over time, misconceptions should be subjected to critical evaluation so misinformation can be corrected. This article discusses misinformation associated with the use of external breast prostheses and the impact this misinformation may be having on the quality of life of women after mastectomy. With the diagnosis of breast cancer, a woman must make many decisions regarding the treatment she will receive. Even if she chooses to defer the decision making to medical practitioners or other authority figures, she cannot escape the necessity of taking actions that will determine her course of treatment and her quality of life afterwards. The need to give consent to treatment requires adequate access to information upon which to make an informed decision. The process of arriving at decisions will be influenced by many factors, including the woman's personality, her use of coping mechanisms, and, importantly, the attitude of the medical team and their attitude toward her choices.[4-8] The Internet has facilitated the search for information on which to base such life-altering decisions.[9] A woman with high information needs can find detailed information concerning her surgical reconstruction options through a variety of sources -- for example, the Web site for the US Food and Drug Administration. Such Web sites clearly outline the risks involved with surgical reconstruction either by implantation or with autologous tissue. It has been noted that women who are well informed adjust better to their treatment outcomes, and a well-informed person is more likely to engage in discussions with her surgeon about her treatment options.[10] Having a mastectomy, however, leads to a tier of decision making regarding whether to have surgical reconstruction, wear an external breast prosthesis, or not wear anything at all to replace the amputated breast. Almost nothing is known about women who decide not to have surgical reconstruction and not wear a prosthesis, and little research has been done regarding external breast prostheses and their influence on a woman's quality of life after mastectomy.[11] "It is estimated that up to 90% of women who have had a mastectomy use breast prostheses. At present little is known about how women access information about breast prostheses.... their patterns of prosthesis use, satisfaction levels, and how the prosthesis impacts on their quality of life."[12] The majority of information on breast prostheses is provided by the manufacturers. Women are often referred to "certified fitters" to answer their questions regarding external breast prostheses. Certified fitters are retail staff that breast prosthesis manufacturers have trained to fit and sell their products. Some, however, may not have adequate education in healthcare or oncology. "However well-intentioned fitters may be, they may not have the necessary training to adequately deal with the psychological and emotional issues many women experience."[12 ,13] Women may not know the attitudes their primary care givers have towards external breast prostheses. Women may not be able to gather adequate information regarding external breast prostheses in an unbiased manner either from the manufactures, retailers, or their healthcare providers, in order to make an informed decision regarding their cancer care. Although the majority of women who have a mastectomy will go on to wear an external breast prosthesis,[14, 15] it is an area of a woman's post mastectomy treatment that has the least amount of objective information available to her and that has been subject to the least amount of scientific inquiry.[11] External breast prosthesis manufacturers claim they have studied the weight and movement of breast tissue and that they can provide women with what they need.[16] Some reference books on breast care, written for the lay public, mirror this optimism and tell women that, "....there is a good prosthesis for every woman who has had a mastectomy."[17] Yet studies show that when researchers ask specific questions of women who wear a breast prosthesis, there is a list of complaints. Objective and open discussion of the complications arising from surgical reconstruction provides an impetus for further research and improvement in surgical outcomes. This type of objective measurement and critique of practice does not occur in the breast prosthetic industry. One could argue that this is not necessary, because wearing an external breast prosthesis is not invasive and does not have the same attendant health risks associated with autologous tissue reconstruction or prosthesis implantation and therefore does not merit the same scrutiny. However, surgical articles state that the most common reason for choosing reconstruction is to not wear the external prosthesis.[18] Given the continuum of choices a woman must navigate throughout her cancer treatment, one could argue that there is a hypothetical link between her dissatisfaction with external breast prostheses and the physical consequences she encounters with surgical reconstruction -- if she chooses to have the surgery out of dissatisfaction with her external breast prosthesis. Therefore, the lack of evidence-based information concerning external breast prostheses, and the problems arising from wearing a prosthesis, may well have more of an impact on women's health than believed at first glance. Over 30% of women are dissatisfied with their external breast prosthesis.[12] Journal articles note that many women find breast prostheses to be hot and heavy, to limit a woman's choice in clothing, and to become displaced with movement.[18-21] Many women wear the prosthesis only when they are outside the home, and many continue to wear the lightweight foam shells, meant to serve as a temporary prosthesis, many years after their mastectomy.[22] In addition to the physical discomfort associated with wearing a prosthesis, a gel-filled prosthesis may emit a noise when struck.[23] Many gel-filled prostheses are designed with a hollow cavity in the back to decrease the weight and minimize contact with the uneven contours of the chest wall. Suction can form when the prosthesis is pressed against the chest by the bra. When this suction is broken with physical activity, a sound can be created. Adhesive-retained prostheses attempt to mitigate the creation of noise in prostheses.[20] Because information on external breast prostheses is largely presented to women by the manufacturers and vendors of these prostheses, it is understandable that they may overstate the virtues of their product and not refer to difficulties that some women experience with them. Additionally, some of the Web sites that women access for general information on breast cancer and its treatment are, in fact, maintained by external breast prosthesis manufacturers. It stands to reason, therefore, that misinformation and false beliefs regarding external breast prostheses are reinforced and perpetuated. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that about 1 in 8 women in the United States (approximately 13.3%) will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. According to the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations, more than 200,000 new breast cancer cases are diagnosed each year in the United States; there are more than 2 million breast cancer survivors. One report has estimated that the number in the United States may increase to 400,000[24] annually due to the increased number of people born after 1945 entering the age group when cancer is most likely to occur. Forty-eight percent of the cases of breast cancer occur in women older than 65 years, and 30% occur in those older than age 70.[25] Older women are more likely to choose a breast prosthesis over surgical reconstruction after a mastectomy.[18] Therefore, the number of women seeking an external breast prosthesis for their nonsurgical restoration after mastectomy can be expected to increase as the incidence of breast cancer increases in the aging population. The impact of breast cancer on a woman's physical, social, and psychological well being is undeniable. When adapting to life after cancer, a woman may want to re-engage in previous behavior and seek to re-establish the life she led before having become a "breast cancer patient." Alternatively, the occurrence of cancer may spur the individual to make positive changes in her life,[26] such as changing jobs or being more attentive to good nutrition and exercise. Have we identified the features in external breast prostheses that facilitate an optimal quality of life after mastectomy? Conversely, do we know enough about those features that have a negative impact on a woman's life after mastectomy?
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The purpose of the International Bra-Free Study is to assess the changes a woman experiences once she stops using bras. The study began in 2018 and is still recruiting participants from around the world. Participants pledge to stop using bras and their progress is followed through open and closed-ended questions. The study is ongoing, but we have seen some amazing patterns in the experience of women who stop wearing bras. We believe it is extremely important to share these preliminary findings with the public at this time, hoping to warn as many women as possible about the effect of bra usage on health. We started our study considering the effect of bras on breasts, and expected improvement in breast pain, cysts, and reduced cancer incidence in our group of bra-free women. What we discovered was that, in addition to the above, we also found that women recovered from many other bodily ailments that seemed completely unrelated to bra usage. We are discovering the many ways tight bras harm health, including every part of the body. As you will see, bras cause more than breast cancer.
Can reductions in bra band pressure increase comfort during exercise in lumpectomy patients?
Breast cancer is a prevalent, life-impacting disease. With increasing incidence rates and a growing number of survivors, greater efforts must be directed towards improving the physical functioning and quality of life (QoL) of women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Although exercise interventions have been reported to provide these benefits, without the development of adverse events. many impediments to exercise exist (Rogers, 2007). While several psychosocial or physical capacity impediments to exercise have been investigated, a recent study found that a substantial proportion (70.3%) of women living with a breast cancer diagnosis reported experiencing bra discomfort during exercise (Gho, 2007). Furthermore, bra band "tightness" was an acute cause of this discomfort, particularly for lumpectomy patients. For this reason there exists an urgent need to determine whether it is possible to modify the bra band for post-lumpectomy patients to reduce their exercise-induc...
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This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
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Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 2013
Background: Breast augmentation, post-mastectomy patients as well as some women with natural breast tissue, and lactating, women often experience discomfort in prone activities. Our study, for the first time, examines pain levels, mechanical force and peak pressure in natural, reconstructed and augmented breast tissues with and without a new orthosis designed for reduction of displacement, compression and loading forces through the breast tissue during prone activities. Methods: Twelve females with natural, lactating or augmented breast tissue, and cup-sizes C eF volunteered for the study. Pain perception was measured using an 11-point visual-analoguescale without and with different sizes/textures of the orthosis. Magnetic-Resonance-Imaging captured segmental transverse and para-sagittal mid-breast views, and provided linear measurements of breast tissue displacement and deformation. Capacitance-pliance Ò sensorstrips were used to measure force and pressure between the breast tissue and the surface of a standard treatment table. Measurements were taken whilst the participants were load bearing in prone positions with and without the orthosis. Results: The new orthosis significantly reduced pain and mechanical forces in participants with natural or augmented breast tissue with cup-sizes CeF. Larger orthotic sizes were correlated with greater reduction in pain and mechanical forces, with all participants reporting no pain with the largest size orthotic. A size-3 orthotic decreased load on the breast tissue by 82% and reduced peak pressure by 42%. The same orthotic decreased medio-lateral spread of breast tissue and implant whilst increasing height.
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PLoS ONE, 2014
Background: Evidence from animal models shows that tissue stiffness increases the invasion and progression of cancers, including mammary cancer. We here use measurements of the volume and the projected area of the compressed breast during mammography to derive estimates of breast tissue stiffness and examine the relationship of stiffness to risk of breast cancer.
Monday's myth: Wearing bras to bed causes breast cancer?
Women’s breasts are seen in society as symbols of femininity, fertility and sexuality – so are the many different styles of bras worn to support, enhance and protect the mammary glands. Many women wear bras to bed to support large, painful or nursing breasts. Others just want to counteract any sagging. But can these decorative pieces of clothing, or the underwire, cause health problems such as cancer? Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women. More than 12,000 women each year are diagnosed with the disease, with the overall risk estimated at one in nine. Most women will meet someone during their lifetime who has been affected by the disease and its treatment. So it’s easy to see why women may be anxious about the risk of breast cancer.
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Physical Therapy Reviews, 2020
Background: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is associated with impaired function and poorer quality of life. BCRL is also considered time-consuming and costly to treat. While compression treatment is considered the most efficient and effective form of treatment for early BCRL, its impact on the lymphatic system highlights its potential in the prevention of lymphedema. Objectives: To identify and summarise studies evaluating compression garment as a prevention strategy for BCRL. Methods: This is a targeted literature review of studies that evaluated use of compression garment in the prevention of BCRL, including prevention post-surgery and prevention of progression of subclinical lymphedema. Results: A total of 4 studies were identified that assessed the role of compression garment in the secondary (one randomized, controlled trial; n ¼ 45) or tertiary (three cohort studies; sample size range: 111-508) prevention of BCRL. Together, findings from these studies suggest that use of compression garment was associated with reduced incidence, attenuation of lymphedema or prevention of progression to more severe lymphedema. However, the absence of a randomized, controlled trial in the tertiary setting means causal inferences relationship cannot be made. Conclusion: There is significant scope for further research, with consideration of possible benefits and costs associated with differences in compression class, duration or daily wear time, as well as comparison to other preventive strategies including patient preferences.
Orthosis reduces breast pain and mechanical forces through natural and augmented breast tissue in women lying prone
Chiropractic & manual therapies, 2014
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Do Women with Breast Cancer–related Lymphoedema Need to Wear Compression While Exercising?: Results from a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Current Breast Cancer Reports, 2020
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Medical Physics, 2014
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