Women health center » Breast Cancer

For Women In Texas, Heart Health Means Taking Action

admin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:54:12 +0000

For women in Texas, notably but not exclusively in the larger cities of Dallas, Houston and Austin, health is an ongoing concern, as it is in other areas of the country. One of the biggest health issues is one that’s closest to the heart. Quite literally.

The fact is, heart disease is responsible for the death of more American women under the age of 45 than any other single disease, including breast cancer. Whether someone has health insurance or not, more than half a million women a year die from heart disease. And more than 60% of those had no previous symptoms.

When a woman does find herself suffering from heart disease, she’s less likely than a man to receive aggressive medical treatment, according to the American Heart Association. She’s also more likely than a man to die from heart disease: 38% of women (compared with 25% of men) will die within one year following a heart attack.

While two risk factors — the aging process itself and a family history of heart disease — aren’t something a woman can change, others can be changed.

Smoking is one area that can tip the scales in favor of a woman, as far as risk of heart disease is concerned. With numerous support programs available, in cities such as Houston, Dallas and Austin and throughout Texas, a woman wanting to quit smoking is well-equipped to do so, with the healthful benefits to follow.

And more and more people are deciding to quit, the overall number of adult smokers having decreased during the last 20 years. Unfortunately, the number of teenaged girls that are taking up the habit is actually increasing, which is a reason for concern. Smoking lowers levels of good cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart disease. And cigarette smoking combined with the use of birth control pills has also been shown to increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Another factor that contributes to heart disease is high blood pressure or hypertension. Left untreated, the condition makes the heart work harder, speeds up hardening of the arteries (known as atherosclerosis) and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. While high blood pressure can sometimes occur during pregnancy, it usually goes away after childbirth. Although high blood pressure cannot be cured, doctors say it can be controlled with diet, exercise, and, if necessary, medicines.

Cholesterol levels are another risk factor when it comes to heart disease, and women in general have higher cholesterol levels than men due to the positive effect of estrogen on HDL, one of the most important predictors of cardiovascular health, according to a study in the American Journal of Cardiology. In short, the higher the level of HDL cholesterol, the less likely a woman is to have a heart attack or stroke. Once a woman goes through menopause, however, HDL levels tend to drop, increasing the risk of heart disease. HDL and LDL cholesterol levels can be improved by diet, exercise and, in some cases, cholesterol-lowering medicines.

Want more out of life? One way is to become less of a person, at least so far as your weight is concerned. Obesity is certainly a strong predictor for heart disease, but where the weight settles is also an important factor. The Texas Heart Institute, based at Houston’s St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, says women who have a lot of fat around the waist are at greater risk than those who have fat around the hips. A plan of diet and exercise approved by a doctor is the best way to safely lose weight.

Yet another area of health concern in women at risk for heart disease is diabetes. A correlation between obesity, physical inactivity and high cholesterol levels may be part of the reason, but studies show that women with diabetes have a higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease than men with diabetes do. Proper management of diabetes is, therefore, even more important to women, throughout Texas and elsewhere.

Birth control pills may also pose an increased cardiovascular risk for women, especially those with other risk factors such as smoking. Researchers believe birth control pills raise blood pressure and blood sugar levels in some women and also increase the risk of blood clots, risks which increase as women get older. The advice of some: communicate with your doctor about any other cardiovascular risk factors that might exist, before taking birth control pills.

Drinking alcohol on an excessive basis is another risk factor when it comes to heart disease in women, notably in terms of its contribution to obesity and the raising of triglyceride and blood pressure levels, all factors which can cause heart failure and lead to stroke. While some studies have shown that the risk of heart disease in those who drink moderate amounts of alcohol can be lower than among those who do not drink alcohol, it doesn’t mean those who do not drink should start or that those who do drink alcohol should increase the amount they drink. For women, a moderate amount of alcohol is considered to be one drink per day.

Hopefully, none of this is adding to your levels of stress, which is, itself, considered to be a contributing risk factor for both men and women. While researchers are as yet unclear about the relationship to heart disease, stress can lead to other risk factors such as smoking and overeating.

For women in particular, heart disease can be a significant health concern. Thankfully, there are things that anyone can do to reduce that risk. Yet even then, knowing that various options exist can be something of value. If you’re a young individual who likes to maintain a healthy condition, you should take a look at the revolutionary, comprehensive and highly affordable individual health insurance solutions created by Precedent specifically for you. For more information, visit us at our website, [http://www.precedent.com]. We offer a unique and innovative suite of individual health insurance solutions, including highly competitive HSA-qualified plans and an unparalleled “real-time” application and acceptance experience.

By: Patt Carpenter

Women’s Health & Wellness Issues

admin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:28:44 +0000

As a woman, it is very important that you educate yourself in every facet of women’s health, because it covers a broad spectrum right from general health down to the narrower focus of reproductive health. Women’s health is a big issue from pregnancy to infections, to infertility

When it comes to health, men and women experience and react to various conditions differently. Both need to engage in preventative measures as this improves their quality of life.

The subject of women’s health is a growing issue. There is lots of information out there relative to this topic which can make things a little confusing but as you go through it you will find that the fundamentals remain the same.

There are also numerous products out there to help women overcome various health challenges but you should always educate yourself about what you are taking. The internet is a wonderful tool to do this. There are lots of forums and communities out there where women discuss products they have used and what benefits or drawbacks they experienced while taking them

Like anything else, it is all about getting the right information. So you may need to dig deep and always double check for various official references.

As we all know, what you eat is very important when it comes to your health. Shockingly, some of the most important ingredients necessary to have a healthy diet are more often then not in short supply in the foods that we eat on a daily basis.

The good news is that healthy foods are readily available in your local grocery store but you may need to make an extra effort to find them. It’s funny how they seem to display the nutrient-robbing foods more prevalently over that of the healthy foods.

Women have many health issues to deal with such as breast cancer for example. It is very important as a woman that you do regular mammograms as a preventative measure. As per usual exercise is important and it is also essential that you develop good habits. Such as drinking plenty of water, eating fresh food such as fruit and veggies and in general having a balanced diet.

Remember, prevention is always better than a cure. Regular exercise and good eating habits will do a lot to improve your lifestyle and self image. It will also help with your mental health and general outlook on life and along with this regular exercise has been proven to reduce the severity of menstrual cramps.

Finally, another key element to health is sleep. Sleep deprivation is not good for you and there are numerous studies out there that report on the various health issues that can arise due to lack of sleep. In conclusion, eat healthy, exercise and get routine check ups for maximum health.

By: Michelle Tason

For Women Health Supplements Can Help Treat Specific Conditions

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:01:38 +0000

Women, who lead busy, stressful and demanding lives, putting other’s needs first and their own last, should consider taking women health supplements to prevent nutritional deficiencies in their bodies. When considering which of the many supplements for women on the market are best for you, you need to know what nutrients to look for.

All good women health supplements will contain vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. These are essential ingredients. Vitamin C is particularly important for women because it helps to keep both the heart and the immune system healthy. It also lowers blood pressure and raises good cholesterol (HDL) which reduces the risk of heart disease. Vitamin E, also lowers the risk of heart disease and also reduces the risk of stroke. Antioxidants such as Vitamins E, C and A may also lower the risk of cancer and muscle degeneration.

Supplements for women are particularly important because as women age, the hormonal and other physical changes place additional nutritional demands on the body. It is particularly important that women over the age of 50 ensure they are getting enough Vitamin D which will help them absorb calcium which is essential to protect against osteoporosis. While women are going through menopause, it is recommended they take additional vitamin E and B12 than what might normally be in women health supplements.

Supplements for women should also include organic iron. Women need iron in order to produce red blood cells and an iron deficiency cause anemia. Specially formulated, women health supplements are vital to a women’s health. This is because women have very specific health needs which need to be addressed and our modern polluted world and busy lifestyles make it hard to do so. Most women have serious gaps in their nutritional intake. Largely as a result of poor diet and increased stresses on the body, women are increasingly suffering from breast cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, premenstrual syndrome, infertility and skin problems. Pregnancy and menopause also place serious stresses on a woman’s body.

The best supplements for women will include calcium and magnesium which combine to reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. However, if PMS is a particular problem, there are women health supplements available for specific needs. A supplement designed to assist people with PMS should include Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, choline, taurine and herbs such as licorice root, dong quai root and peony root. These ingredients work synergistically to help relieve PMS. Essential fatty acids can also be beneficial to women who suffer from PMS.

Even if you think you are eating well and therefore do not need to take a vitamin and mineral supplement, if you are in one of the following groups you may need to think again:

• Post menopausal women experience a sudden decline in their levels of estrogen which in turn causes an increase in bone loss. Supplements for women containing Calcium and Vitamin D will help to prevent this bone loss.

• Women who have heavy menstruation may have an iron deficiency due to excessive blood loss. This can cause the blood to be low in hemoglobin (anemia) which carries oxygen in the blood to the tissues. Women health supplements containing organic iron can replace the depleted iron and avoid anemia and its effects.

• Women who are trying to become pregnant or who are already pregnant would benefit from taking various women health supplements. In particular, they should ensure their supplements contain calcium, Vitamin D, folate and iron. It is best to start taking a good supplement before getting pregnant.

Women have nutritional needs that are unique to them and cannot be met by just taking a broad-spectrum multi-vitamin supplement. Supplements for women should certainly contain the vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes that we all need, but they should also include ingredients that meet the specific needs of women. You can find women health supplements that are both comprehensive and specific to certain needs.

If you avoid synthetic products, buy a natural broad spectrum women’s supplement, eat a healthy diet, exercise and reduce stress where possible, your health should improve. If you are still experiencing ‘female problems’, look for a specific supplement to meet that need. You won’t look back.

By: Stan Rogers

Learn the Benefits of Self Massage and Herbal Oils For Maintaining Healthy Breasts

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:41:05 +0000

A woman’s beauty care routine normally consists of maintaining healthy skin, hair and nails. What about your breasts? Do you know how to care for them? Whether small or large, your breasts are unique and enhance the beauty of your body. They symbolize divine truth, nurturance, pleasure and love. We appreciate the way our breasts look in a low neckline dress, their delicate bounce and delightful curves. Breasts are precious jewels so let’s learn how to keep them healthy.

Breast Cancer is a huge epidemic. Many women don’t touch their breasts for fear of finding a lump. Some women are hesitant because they are unfamiliar with the anatomy and function of their breasts to be comfortable palpating the tissue. About half the women I talk to don’t do self-exams because their breasts feel too lumpy. The medical community stresses the importance of early detection and mammograms, however there is little awareness and education about how we can enhance the health of our breasts naturally.

The aim of this article is to alleviate the fear of touching one’s breasts and to provide a natural and therapeutic modality that will be nurturing, supportive and be beneficial in maintaining breast tissue health.

First, let’s dispel some of the fears that women have regarding lumpy breasts! Lumpy breast tissue is generally a benign disorder called fibrocystic breast condition or ANDI (Aberrations of Normal Development and Involution) and signifies lumps or thickenings that are a result of normal changes during hormonal changes and breast development. It is most often a result of diet, especially caffeine intake and in chinese medicine has a strong correlation with emotional stress.

Second, let’s approach breast care with knowledge, personal responsibility and empowerment by understanding the structure and function of breast tissue.

Circulation: The vital link to breast health

Breasts are filled with fluid-rich lymphatic pathways. They have no inherent musculature and require circulation for optimal health. Many factors can affect the DNA of healthy cells compromising breast health. For example emotional stress, environmental pollutants, preservatives in our foods lowers our immunity. Fatty breast tissue are a waste receptacle for toxins in the body. If the lymph system stagnates due to stress, tight bras, poor posture or trauma the immune fighting T-cells will have difficulty taking out the accumulated debris from the breast tissue making it a perfect breeding ground for cancer cells. Massage enhances circulation and prevents the buildup of stagnant lymph fluid.

Lastly, let’s acknowledge our breasts. Whether social stigmas, emotional trauma, surgery, our personal perceptions have distorted in some way how we feel about our breasts, we need to reclaim our bodies by sending positive, healing energy and love to our heart center and breast area.

How Self-Massage and Herbal Oils can Enhance Breast Health?

Gently massaging the breasts increases oxygen and nutrients and helps keep the tissue clean of impurities. Self-breast massage is an important therapeutic modality for easing or preventing breast related conditions and may offer a measure against breast cancer.

Benefits include:
* Alleviates premenstrual discomfort associated with breasts
* May help reduce fibroids and cysts
* Ease lumpiness of fibrocystic breasts
* Balancing effect on the hormones
* Improves breast size and shape
* Increased oxygen and nutrients
* Eases lymphatic congestion
* Makes skin soft, supple and resilient
* May help reduce scars and stretchmarks
* Encourages familiarity with one’s breasts
* Promotes relaxation, relieving internal tensions
* Deeper appreciation and acceptance of one’s body
* Encourages lymphatic circulation for post-surgery healing

Herbal Oils are certified organic herbs infused in cold pressed organic olive oil. The healing actions of the herbs migrate into the oil creating a simple, effective product for maintaining breast health.

Benefits include:
*Strengthen and add resiliency to the breast tissue
*Aids in enhancing lymphatic circulation
*Relieve internal tension
*Offers anti-inflammatory properties
*May help in dissolving troublesome lumps and cysts
*Gives skin a soft, supple, radiant glow.

Remember when doing your self-breast massage you want to use an oil that contains nourishing organic herbs that have a special affinity for the breasts to enhance the fluidity and feel of the breast tissue. Breast Caress offers a perfect blend of organic herbs, oils, and aromatherapy, inspires self-awareness of one’s breasts and body and offers an opportunity for women to love and nurture themselves. The more care and gratitude we give to ourselves, the greater the correlation to our good health.

By: Jennifer Telford

Increased Cancer Risks Associated With Working The Graveyard Shift

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:05:05 +0000

You may have heard some alarming health news recently, about how working the ‘graveyard shift’ may increase your odds for developing breast or prostate cancer. This story is based on recent research, over the last 20 years, that does, indeed, find an increased rate of breast cancer among women who work at night. But, please keep in mind that high cancer rates, that have been newly discovered in night workers, does not prove that nighttime work, alone, causes one to get cancer.

It is estimated that about 20 percent of the work force in technologically developed countries work the night shift. One of the first people to spot the night shift-cancer connection was Richard Stevens, a cancer epidemiologist and professor at the University of Connecticut Health Center. In 1987 he published a paper suggesting that there may be a a direct correlation to light at night and breast cancer.

Stevens says, “suspiciously, the incidence of breast cancer rates shot up, starting in the 1930′s, where industrialized cultures considered it advantageous to progressively increase one’s income”.

At the time of Steven’s first observations, most medical research scientists considered the link, between light at night to increased breast cancer rates, to be pretty weird and wacky. However, over the last 20 years, ongoing research on this disturbing news has continued. There is some compelling evidence that indicates that men working the night shift may also have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

It is also interesting to note, that in laboratory research studies with test animals, evidence of the light at night theory, supported Steven’s original idea. When light/dark schedules were purposely disrupted, the animals developed more cancerous tumors and died prematurely.

Since the 1980′s, the cancer connection to artificial light at night has received quite a bit of attention. There seems to be enough evidence to support the notion that there is a questionable pattern of increased cancer rates in night, and rotational, shift workers.

If you are a night worker do not panic, and determine that you simply must abandon your current job for personal health safety reasons. Also, consider that these ongoing studies are only one small piece of evidence to a very large puzzle. There are many other risk factors involved in developing cancer. In all fairness, other known cancer risks should also be evaluated into this equation as well, like:

1. Lifestyle choices such as exercise habits, substance abuse problems, or drug addictions

2. Daily dietary food and beverage intakes.

3. Sleep deprivation problems such as insomnia and depression.

4. Amount of exposure time that bare skin has a chance to connect with UV sunlight rays, and vitamin D levels.

5. Amount of emotional stress levels in relation to unresolved personal issues.

All of those key factor risks, and many others, as well as a wider variety of test subjects need to be extensively studied. Most of the current, light at night research studies, so far, have only been performed on the nursing profession and airline crews.

What researchers are suggesting, though, is that there seems to be a rather complicated system, of some sort, to lower levels of melatonin and serotonin in correlation to rotational, and night, shift workers. Melatonin is a endocrine system hormone produced by the pineal gland that helps induce sleep, and is gradually released after dark. The pineal gland is located deep in the center of the brain behind the center point in the forehead between the eyes, and is known to have a reaction to sunlight exposure. It is believed that sunlight exposure coming in through the eyes for approximately 20 minutes a day, without contacts, eyeglasses, or sunglasses appears to play an important role in the releasing of melatonin.

Clearly, when normal sleep/wake (also called circadian rhythm) cycles are interrupted with artificial lighting at night there may be a steep health price to pay, for the sake of earning a living. Long-term supplementation with melatonin is not advisable, either, as it may eventually interfere with your body’s ability to produce it on its own. Use, instead, one of melatonin’s safer precursors like L-tryptophan or 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). Be advised , that L-tryptophan is only obtainable by prescription, however, do not let that intimidate you as it is only a simple amino acid.

As an employer you may consider it financially necessary to use night shifts to voluntarily maximize your company’s profits. But, you may also want to consider employee medical health insurance liabilities, and productivity, too. There might just possibly be lower health insurance rate incentives offered for installing healthier, natural spectrum lighting systems in work station areas, This may help you save even more money, by lowering your energy costs as well.

If you are a rotational, or night, shift worker, sleeping in a darkened room is a must. Do whatever it takes to eliminate, or reduce, light from entering your sleeping environment. You can also improve the quality of your sleep by learning how to practice better sleep hygiene habits. Visit the mercola natural health website and type in the search box, ’33 secrets to a good nights sleep’.

Above all, listen to your body, if working after dark is causing you various health problems, pay close attention! Treat your symptoms with care, put in for a shift change, or find another job.

By: Brenda Skidmore

Bras and the Breast Cancer Cover-Up

admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:40:21 +0000

“Whom can you trust when your culture is the biggest enemy of your health? Can you trust your culture’s leading authorities? Can you trust your culture’s government? Can you trust your culture’s private industry?”

We asked those questions in 1995, at the end of our book, Dressed To Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras. Before writing our book, we sent details of our research to the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, President’s Cancer Panel, American Women’s Medical Association, National Organization for Women, National Women’s Health Network, and National Women’s Health Resource Center. There was no response. Not one. Given the lack of interest, we decided to publish our findings in a book, getting the information directly to the women who needed to hear it.

But are women getting the message?

It has been 12 years since our book was first published. Over that time, more than 500,000 women in the US alone have died from breast cancer, with another 2,000,000 having been diagnosed with this terrible disease — a disease that is in most cases preventable by simply loosening up or eliminating the bra. And yet, this lifesaving information has been actively suppressed and censored by the medical and lingerie industries.

Examples of Suppress and Censorship

A large public relations firm in New York City was willing and eager to help us release this information to the public. “My wife just had breast cancer, and I’m sure you are right,” the head of the firm confessed. A big media announcement and celebration were planned. Days later, however, the firm withdrew its offer to help, stating that one of their clients, a large medical center, objected to their working with us.

A Sydney, Australia public relations firm agreed to help publicize our work when we were doing outreach efforts in their country. But it, too, reversed itself. We had asked if they had any conflicts of interest, such as lingerie industry clients. They said they had none. But as it turned out, they did represent a pharmaceutical company that makes a breast cancer treatment drug, and the prevention of breast cancer and its treatment are in conflict, they explained.

The Intimate Apparel Council (which is the US trade association for the multi-billion dollar bra industry) threatened our publisher, Avery Publishing Group, with a lawsuit if Dressed To Kill was released. The publisher said the publicity would help spread the word. The lawsuit never materialized.

After the book was released, the NBC television news show, Dateline, was interested in doing a story on our work. We were extensively interviewed by a skeptical reporter who became a supporter. The story was then abruptly terminated. The producer confidentially explained that the policy of General Electric, which owns NBC, is to avoid airing news stories that can adversely impact on other GE interests. As it happens, GE is a manufacturer of mammography machines.

Women’s magazines, such as Glamour, Self, and others, ran critical stories condemning our work, and finding “experts” to encourage women to continue wearing bras. Elle magazine planned a positive story about the bra/cancer link, but was coerced into pulling the story by bra advertisers. In various newspapers around the world, such as the Guardian in the UK, stories were pulled prior to publication because of fear that they may “panic the public”, including their lingerie advertisers.

The British Fashion Council (which is the UK’s equivalent of the Intimate Apparel Council) published the Breast Health Handbook in 1996 to oppose our efforts. They announced the formation of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Foundation, which was to receive donations from bra sales to fund genetic research into breast cancer. The book criticized our work, claiming, “The idea that wearing a bra encourages cancer by trapping toxins was recently put forward by researchers at the Institute for Culturogenic Studies (sic) in Hawaii. Researchers from more august establishments promptly dismissed it as claptrap.” Without any medical evidence or research, the book informs women that wearing bras is a health necessity, and should be worn as early in life as possible to prevent breast damage.

Our original publisher, Avery, was purchased by giant Penguin Putnam in 1998. The new publisher did not list the book for three years and refused to revert publication rights to the copywrite holders, Singer and Grismaijer. The book was virtually unavailable, and it was thought to have gone out of print. Finally, after repeated requests, the publishing rights were released to us in October, 2001. (ISCD Press has been keeping it in print since then.)

A television documentary was produced in the year 2000 by Channel 4 in the UK, called, Bras- The Bare Facts. In the documentary, 100 women with fibrocystic breast disease went bra-free for 3 months to document the effect on breast cysts and pain. Two prominent British breast surgeons conducted the study. The results were astounding, and clearly demonstrated that the bra is a serious health hazard. We were interviewed for the program to discuss the bra/cancer connection, which was considered highly plausible and important by the doctors interviewed. Some theorized that, in addition to lymphatic impairment, the bra could also cause cancer by overheating the breasts. The documentary made newspaper headlines in British Commonwealth countries throughout the world, but no mention of it was made at all in the US. The following day, headlines in the U.K. tried to suppress fears of the bra/cancer link, and the doctors in the study quickly distanced themselves from the cancer issue, telling women to continue wearing bras. Their research for the documentary was supposed to be published in a medical journal, but never was. And no further research ever materialized to follow-up on their work, which they said they would do. Extensive news coverage of the program was available on the Internet soon after it aired, but most articles were removed shortly thereafter.

No follow-up studies have been done to refute or confirm our research. None. While a Harvard study, published in the European Journal of Cancer in 1991, discovered that bra-free women have a lower rate of breast cancer, the results were not central to the research they were conducting and were considered unimportant and not followed-up. In fact, apart from our initial 1991-93 Bra and Breast Cancer Study, discussed in detail in Dressed To Kill, and our follow-up research in Fiji, discussed in our book, Get It Off!, there are still no other studies on the bra/cancer link. Not even a letter or discussion of the issue can be found in any medical journal. After decades of breast cancer research, the bra is still completely ignored as even being a potential factor for consideration. It’s like studying foot disease and ignoring shoes.

Keeping the Public Mystified

This lack of research, and the consequent ignorance, are then used by cancer organizations to justify further suppression of the issue. As the American Cancer Society states on its website, (ignoring the Harvard study), “There are no scientifically valid studies that show a correlation between wearing bras of any type and the occurrence of breast cancer. Two anthropologists made this association in a book called Dressed To Kill. Their study was not conducted according to standard principles of epidemiological research and did not take into consideration other variables, including known risk factors for breast cancer. There is no other, credible research to validate this claim in any way.” And they don’t seem interested in funding any such studies in the near future, either. There are other organizations that are similarly critical of the bra/cancer link for lack of research evidence, while at the same time discouraging any research on the subject.

Of particular interest is when breast cancer organizations antagonistic to the issue declare the bra/cancer link to be “misinformation” or a “myth”, without any scientific study supporting their claims. They say bras are important for women to wear for support, without any evidence showing bras are safe or necessary. They then encourage regular mammograms, cancer prevention drug therapy (not realizing that “prevention therapy” is an oxymoron), and even preventative mastectomies (which means that those who are high risk for breast cancer but who don’t want to get it can have their breast removed as a prevention strategy). Of course, it is better to remove the bra instead of the breasts, but bra removal is not a billable procedure.

Keep in mind that bras have been associated with other health problems, such as headaches, numbness in the hands, backache and other postural problems, cysts, pain, skin depigmentation, and more. And lymphatic blockage, which is the result of bra constriction, has already been associated with various cancers. Clearly, the bra/cancer link needs further research, while women take the precaution of loosening up.

Why the resistance?

What harm could there be in following our simple advice, or in even researching this issue? Why the defensive reaction?

There are three reasons:

1. The bra industry fears class action lawsuits. Many insiders have admitted to us that for years the industry suspected underwires were causing cancer. They know that tight bras cause cysts and pain. It is only a matter of time until a lawsuit is made against a bra manufacturer. As a defense, the industry is shifting the blame to the customer, claiming that most women are wearing their bras too tightly, and should get professional fittings. (How do you get a properly fitted push-up bra?) Breaking ranks with their industry peers, and trying to capitalize on the bad news, are several bra manufacturers that now offer newly patented bras claiming to mitigate the damage, including cancer, caused by conventional bras.

2. The medical industry is making billions each year on the detection and treatment of breast cancer. As mentioned above, there is a conflict between the prevention and the treatment of disease, especially if the prevention does not include drugs or surgery. The fact is that our treatment-focused, profit-oriented medical system is making a killing treating this disease, and has billions to lose if breast cancer goes out of fashion along with bras.

In addition, the bra issue will revolutionize the breast cancer field, embarrassing many researchers. Breast cancer research to date that has ignored the bra issue is seriously flawed as a result, which is why the “experts” are still unable to explain the cause of over 70% of all breast cancer cases. Career cancer researchers who have ignored the bra issue will have to admit this fatal flaw in their work, which they are not inclined to admit in their lifetimes.

3. Finally, there is the dogmatic, fearful resistance from some women who find their personal identity so connected to their bras that they would rather risk cancer than be bra-free (which some women have actually told us.) Women are cultural entities, and so long as our culture scorns a natural bustline, many women will submit to the pain, red marks and indentations, cysts, and even the threat of cancer rather than face potential public ridicule (which never really happens.)

There are also women who believe the myth that bras will prevent droopy breasts. The bra industry admits this is a myth, while it still promotes it to improve sales. In fact, bras cause breasts to droop, as the breasts become dependent on the bra for support and the natural supportive mechanisms atrophy from non use.

Despite the resistance, however, some women have gotten the message. And many health care professionals, who have also suspected bras for years, are now spreading that message. As women hear the news and discover that eliminating the bra also eliminates cysts and pain, the news further spreads by word of mouth.

There are now thousands of websites on this subject, many from health care professionals including medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, osteopathic doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists, lymphatic specialists, nutritionists, and others who care about women and helping end this epidemic. Grassroots efforts to keep this information alive and spreading have supplanted the traditional medical research approach, which has disqualified itself for lack of interest and conflict of interest.

When a disease is caused by the culture and its habits, attitudes, fashions and industries, there is bound to be resistance to change. Industries that contribute to disease will be defensive, and industries that profit from disease will be conflicted. However, the truth has a way of getting out, despite the resistance and suppression. Thank Goodness the truth does have a way of getting out.

By: Sydney Ross Singer

MNAP Oncology Center

admin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:39:43 +0000

MNAP Oncology Center has opened its doors in June 12, 2004. It offers a state of the art facility that allows patients to undergo radiation therapy treatments in the privacy of a friendly, comfortable and soothing outpatient center. In October 25, 2004 the center made available for patient cutting edge technology, IMRT (Intense Modulated Radiation Therapy) that allows for maximum delivered dose to the cancer area while sparing the healthy tissues surrounding the cancer site and have the ability to provide radiation protecting agents. All patients receive personalized care.

At MNAP Oncology Center the personnel offers a variety of innovative prevention programs, state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment cancer care techniques, and a dedicated team of physicians and other medical professionals. The stuff invites people to explore the medical specialties and discover why MNAP is synonymous with serious care and leading edge medicine throughout Northeastern Philadelphia Community.

The board of certified Radiation Oncologists are experts in the field of fighting cancer and, together with the Radiation Oncology team, they work with each patient to develop a comprehensive treatment program. From the moment of the first appointment to the completion of the patient’s care, they are there to support the patient, answer all of the questions, and ensure that their experience reflects the highest standard of care. The radiation oncologists are experts in treating all types of cancer. They are actively involved in developing and conducting clinical trials to test new ways to use radiation therapy to fight cancer, including studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The center is fully accredited and certified by RTOG (The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group), funded by National Cancer Institute for several clinical trials for Prostate Scan and Breast Cancer protocols. Clinical trials provide patients with access to the latest advances in and research on radiation therapy before they are widely available. The unmatched range of Diagnostic Center equipment includes the latest strategies to treat tumors aggressively, while reducing or eliminating some of the side effects that accompany radiation treatment. The treatment machine is the Siemens Linear Accelarator, the premier Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) beam delivery vehicle. By using the most current treatment planning technology available to “map” tumors, the radiation oncologists can design treatments with pinpoint accuracy, ensuring that tumors get the most effective dose while healthy tissues and organs are spared. XiO Treatment Planning Software combines the latest technology and advanced dose calculation algorithms in an intuitive and efficient platform. The unparalleled speed of latest generation processors provides superior 3D rendering and manipulation in real time! In addition, Oncology Department is an official clinical education center to receive from Cooper Health System – School of Radiation Therapy for Clinical Practice.

By: Mike Zhmudikov