Healthy Living
Guest post by Jill From Jill’s Home Remedies
Women are increasingly concerned about the possibility of getting breast cancer, and for good cause too. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2012, 289,870 women will have some form of breast cancer, and 39,510 women will die from the cancer.
These statistics are alarming! While there are several things that can contribute to breast cancer, below are three culprits that can specifically lead to this type of cancer.
Image by LizMarie_AK
1. Antiperspirant Deodorant
Aluminum, the ingredient added to antiperspirants to make them effective, is a known toxin in itself – it does damage to the muscular, skeletal, nervous and respiratory systems. Since anything placed on the skin is absorbed into the skin, these toxins affect the lymph nodes that are located just one inch below the skin’s surface.
Damage to these lymph nodes in a person’s arm pit have been linked to breast cancer.
Antiperspirants are obviously made to keep a person from perspiring. While antiperspirants may help you smell nicer, they also lock poisons in, by closing the skin’s pores.
Sweating is a natural and vital process of regulating the body’s temperature and getting rid of toxins. Not only is it unwise to trap toxins inside the body, the trapped toxins are released into the body.
There is also a link between women shaving the armpits and using antiperspirant deodorant afterwards. Razors can easily leave nicks or raw spots in the arm pits, making the toxins in the deodorant even more absorbent.
Image by Army Medicine
2. Mammograms
Mammograms are a type of x-ray picture taken of your breast that can reveal tumors growing. This sounds like a great technique! However, x-ray pictures use radiation, which in itself can cause cancer. According to Dr. John W. Gofman, about 75% of breast cancer can be prevented by avoiding this radiation. In fact, mammograms can spread existing cancer cells.
Mammograms have not been proven to be as effective as we think. A Swedish study revealed that 70% of “tumors” detected by a mammogram weren’t really tumors at all.
Image by How can I recycle this
3. Wearing Bras
As strange as it may sound, wearing a bra for too long can cause breast cancer. More than 85% of lymph fluid drains from the breast to the arm pit lymph nodes. Bras decrease circulation in the breast tissue. This constriction can cut off lymph drainage, which inhibits the body from excreting toxins from that area. Too many built up toxins can equal cancer.
Sidney Singer, a medical anthropologist, conducted a study in 1997 among women on the Fiji Islands. The women were divided into two groups; half of them wore a bra and the other half did not – all the women kept the same diet and lifestyle. It was discovered that the women who wore a bra had the same rate of breast cancer as American women. The women who did not wear a bra, experienced almost no breast cancer at all.
What can you do to help prevent breast cancer?
- Use a natural deodorant from a local health food store, buy one online, or try making your own! You may have to apply them more than once a day, but they will keep you smelling nice and fresh without the hazardous ingredients!
- Do your own self breast examination about once a month. If you have any concerns about a lump, see your doctor. (Note from Erin: I have found two lumps in the past 8 years. The first was a fibroadenoma cyst that had to be biopsied and was benign. I had an experimental procedure done to freeze the cyst. The second cyst was fluid-filled and was extracted in the office.)
- Wear a bra less than 12 hours a day – this dramatically decreases your chances of developing breast cancer as a bra-wearer. (Note from Erin: I do not typically wear bras at home unless I am expecting company. As a sahm/wahm, I stay home a LOT!)
- As always, eat a healthy diet of a lot of raw foods and exercise. One of the best exercises for developing healthy cells is using the rebounder.
The cases of breast cancer continue to increase. Begin today to make habit and lifestyle changes to help protect yourself.
What are some ways you protect yourself from breast cancer?
Jill is a Christian and has been married to her dear husband for 12 years. She’s
a homeschool mom of 4 and is thankful for God’s goodness in her daily life. As a certified family herbalist, her passions include reading and researching about health and home remedies, and sharing
with others the knowledge she gains. You can find her blogging at Jill’s Home Remedies and connect with her on facebook and twitter.
*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat, cure or prevent disease.*
Resources:
Natural News
Liz
Two other MAJOR contributors to breast cancer, that are rarely spoken of, are the Pill (which is considered a class one carcinogen by the World Health Organization)and abortion.
One of the best ways to Avoid breast cancer is to have children in your early twenties and to breastfeed them for at least two years.
Breast tissue goes through stages of development, and is most vulnerable at its least developed stage, pre pregnancy, and is most resistant after its ultimately developed stage, post breast feeding. I’m not going to site any of this, but this information is all available on the web.
Erin
Thanks for these tips, Liz! I very regretfully took hormonal birth control my first year married. I am so thankful my eyes were opened to this after that! We need to spread the word!
Sometimes I wish I had married earlier but am thankful we didn’t wait too terribly long to have children, and my first was born when I was 27. I love breastfeeding my babies, and the benefits are SO good for both mommy and baby!
Brooke
I wish I could go bra less during the day! I am a very large cup size and it just doesn’t work well or feel comfortable to go totally bra less- especially in the summer. I do wear just a sport type bra at home for comfort, but going away I need something more substantial. (unless of course I would like to look like one of the lovely Figi Island women!)
I have almost never used anti-perspirant and would never get a routine mammogram. I am hoping for the best!
Erin
LOL! I didn’t mention that I am not…ahem…too well-endowed. 😉 SO, it’s not hard for me to go without at home (of course not in public, though!). Sounds like are you very proactive in protection!
TracyDK
I used to use anti-perspirants constantly. Since having my son, EVERYTHING has went weird and I noticed that when I use one, I get a large painful lump in my right armpit. So now I’m trying out different homemade ones that are effective against BO, that don’t dry out my skin. As far as mammograms go, it saved her life. They found cancer when she had her first mammogram. I’m not keen on the idea of them though, and luckily for me, my doctor suggests an ultrasound for me due to the size and fibrous nature of my breasts. She said mammograms wouldn’t be able to pick up much due to all of that. So, ultrasounds it is!
Erin
I may look into ultrasounds, too. I am really torn on this issue, Tracy–since my mom had ovarian twice and supposedly the two cancers are related. I know there is another scan-type exam you can get. I love homemade deo!!
kallie
you should try olive oil and baking soda made into a paste for BO. its the only thing that has worked for me and i sweat excessively, even through prescription deo that gave me chemical burns…
Erin
I typically use a homemade deo with coconut oil, baking soda and cornstarch. Never thought about using olive oil!! Thanks for the tip!
Kristine
The other breast ‘scan’ is a breast mri.
The 2 cancers are indeed related. Erin, if your mom has had ovarian cancer twice, there is a chance she (and perhaps others in her bloodline) have a BRCA 1 or 2 mutation. These are tumor suppressor genes. When they are mutated, the cancer cannot be prevented from forming. As the doctors say ‘ it’s not a matter of if but when cancer will form’. There is nothing you can do to stop this from happening. I have the BRCA2 mutation (sister does too) found through my father’s side (dad has breast cancer, his mom died from ovarian 40+yrs ago). I have an 87% chance of getting breast cancer & 40-60% of getting ovarian. Having the BRCA1 mutation carries a much higher risk of ovarian. And there is a 50% chance of it being passed to children (I have 2), if this wasn’t already hard enough to handle. Both my sister and I are taking preventative measures and will have bilateral mastectomies and ovaries/fallopian tubes removed. I want to live a long life for my kids and husband.
Please have your mother tested (find a genetics counselor) to see if she carries either mutation. If she does, then you need to test as well. Knowing this result could save your life. Ovarian cancer is silent and is detected in the later stages. Please educate yourself. Knowledge is power.
I wish you well and hope that you will not have to endure this as well. You are more than welcome to send me an email if you have any questions. I live in the Chicago area.
Anne @ Authentic Simplicity
There is another kind of test – I don’t know much about it but I know it’s safer. I don’t even know the exact name of it, but it starts with “Thermal”. Maybe thermal imaging? A local integrative clinic in my area offers it, so I think it’s readily available in most areas.
Erin
I think you are right, Anne. I think it has the name thermal in it!
Lana
It is a thermogram and it can pick up cancer 10 years before a mammogram can. I am sure that doing a web search will turn up a place to get them done. Typically they are done every 5 years and only cost $125 to $150.
Jill's Home Remedies
Awesome, Lana! Thanks for sharing! I’ll have to look into this!
Chelle
Jill,
I’m visiting from Time Warp wife. Thank you for posting useful information so we can take the best care of our temples possible.
Looking forward to reading more.
Peace and good to you.
Erin
So thankful for Jill!
Mary@The Encouraging Home
Love this post! People are so unaware of the many causes. My mother is a 24 year stage 4 breast cancer survivor. She beat it naturally after being given 6 months to live with chemo and radiation. Juicing, green drinks are huge helps, along with homeopathics. Cancer is a virus that our body can fight. I have fibrocystic breast disease and use essential oils to rub on my breast to make the tissue healthy and boost my immune system. I am also a T-Tapp Trainer~ T-Tapp was designed for cancer/chemo patients but the value was soon seen for everyone. It moves the lymphatic system constantly~ you can only get that from rebounding and Body Brushing.
Thanks for this article!
Erin
Such good tips, Mary! Yes, I’d LOVE a guest post on this!! 🙂 Which oils do you use to rub on your breasts? I may start that! Hoping to breastfeed my babe at least 2 years. I’ve made it close to 2 years before but never quite there!
Jill's Home Remedies
Awesome info, Mary! Thanks! I love rebounding and recommend it all the time!
Anne @ Authentic Simplicity
This is very informative, thank you!
Jenny
I’m wondering about the bras that contain no underwire but make it so stuff doesn’t bounce uncomfortably? I purchased a wire-free bra that allows me to feel natural but also somewhat more contained/modest.
Deodorant has been my one struggle! Homemade with baking soda gives me a painful rash, and many store-boughts leave me stinky like a skunk. I think I’ve finally found a good one by Arm & Hammer that is *natural* and contains no aluminum.
Erin
I don’t really know about the bras! I didn’t even know Arm and Hammer had a natural deo! That’s great!
Meghan Carver
Excellent post! I stopped using anti-perspirant years ago when my husband brought that information to my attention. I use the Arm and Hammer deodorant, and it works wonderfully. Jenny asked if bras without underwire were okay. I have heard so, but I don’t have any data for that. I think the biggest prevention to breast cancer is to nurse your babies. My husband believes that the reason we’re seeing such an increase in breast cancer is because there was a whole generation who didn’t nurse their babies and now it is out of style so not many mothers do. I’m still nursing my sixth at 20 months of age, so I have well over six years of nursing. Once it was established and the pain was gone, nursing was a joy. Thanks for a great post! (Found you at Deep Roots at Home.)
Anna
Most definitely agree with the theory about breastfeeding rates and the rise of breast cancer. I was quite shocked recently to read just how much breastfeeding reduces your risk of breast cancer (so conversely, how much choosing to formula feed puts you at a higher risk of breast cancer – they don’t tell you THAT is in the Nestle ads). The ‘Best for Babes’ website had an article on it, these are the figures that had me most amazed;
Breastfeeding is associated with up to a 28% decrease in risk of developing breast cancer at any age (pre- or post-menopausal) for women without a family history of the disease, who breastfed for 12 months or longer. (2)
For women with a family history of breast cancer, breastfeeding is associated with 59% reduced risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer –that’s more than half! (3)
Four Breasts for the Price of Two: Your baby girl’s risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime is lowered by 26%-31% if she is breastfed! (5)
Every single one of my blood relative Aunts on BOTH sides of the family have now had breast cancer (my mum is the only sister not to so far…and was the only one who breastfed – coincidence or not?!?!), two of them were under 50, another was under 60, when they were diagnosed. So I am REALLY GLAD I was able to breastfeed my daughter as it will reduce both of our risks of getting it. My mother in law has also had breast cancer at a young age so my daughter will no doubt be considered high risk with so many family connections.
Erin
Wow! And I LOVE breastfeeding my babies–breastfeeding baby #3 now!
Carol
The Breast Cancer Prevention Institute provides good information. Here is a link to their fact sheet: http://www.bcpinstitute.org/FactSheets/Increase-decrease-table-english.pdf
Diane Kukula
Hi Jill,
I find your guest post disturbing as well as irresponsible. THREE CAUSES OF BREAST CANCER. Really? Show or quote the studies, back up your claims with scientific facts and data. I am sure that these ‘three culprits that can specifically lead to this type of cancer’ cannot be sustantiated. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, true. Breast cancer is epidemic, true. I myself am a young two time breast cancer survivor. Known risk factors are: being a woman, age, family history, genetics, personal history of breast cancer, radiation to face or chest before age 30, certain breast changes, race/ethnicity, being overweight, pregnancy history, breast feeding history, menstrual history, using HRT, drinking alcohol, having dense breasts, lack of exercise, and smoking. There are new emerging risks as well. www.breastcancer.org In reading your post, I am offended and saddened not only for myself and my young daughters who know firsthand the prevalence of this disease, but also for the many amazing women I know who have battled, are currently battling or have lost the battle to this disease. Breast cancer is highly complex, and each breast cancer varies greatly, as well as changing. To make a blanket statement attributing bras, deodorant and mammograms as the causes of breast cancer is at best irresponsible and ignorant. The thought of my own four beautiful daughters reading an article such as this, knowing all I have gone through in surgeries and treatment, and invoking unnecessary fear and anxiety in them, well, I have no words. I wish the causes were as simple as implied, thus the ease of eradicating this epidemic disease. I consider myself a blessed woman, God has used my breast cancer to be a vessel for His glory, never a victim, and while I wouldn’t have chosen this path, I can say I praise Him and thank Him for all He had allowed in my life.
Brooke
Hi Diane. I’m sorry this post brought up a lot of emotion for you. I believe cancer of all types has many, many different causes and we can all agree that what the medical establishment is doing right now is NOT working. More people than ever in the history of humanity are dying from cancer and it cannot all be caused by genetics or things out of our control. The rate is increasing too fast for that to be the case. The causes of breast cancer you have listed certainly do contribute, but those causes have been around for a long, long time (HRT and radiation to the face/chest before 30). Those causes don’t explain why breast cancer is such an epidemic. This post is not saying that deodorant, mammograms (which the CDC themselves say it does more harm than good with all the false positives and radiation), and bras actually cause cancer, but they could be contributing just like the causes you listed. The problem is that we will never find out if the “causes” in this post are actually causes because no one likes to research prevention. Cancer is a HUGE scourge on our society and posts like this get people to think about how they take care of their bodies, which is all what it boils down to anyways. Nothing in her post is saying “Eliminate these 3 causes and you won’t have to go to your doctor.” This post is just throwing some theories (that aren’t new) out there. I never once felt anxiety or fear while reading this post and I hope your daughters wouldn’t either. Thinking outside the medical establishment’s box is not to be feared. Freedom is not to be feared. We should all take care of ourselves the way we see fit. If you want to do chemo/radiation/surgery, that is your choice, but don’t make other people feel bad about not wanting to do that. I have only ever known 2 people with cancer and both died from the treatment. So, if I ever got cancer, the treatment itself would give me fear and anxiety – not this post. See? It goes both ways and it all depends on people’s life experiences. We need ALL options on the table and no bias, especially when it comes to diseases like cancer. I hope you can come to terms with other treatments soon and I’m sorry that you had to suffer more than once with this horrible disease. I will pray for you and the other women that have to go through this and I will pray that one day this will no longer be an epidemic.
Brooke
I meant to say HRT and radiation to head/chest have NOT been around for a long, long time.
Erin
Thanks for your kind words to Diane. I really believe cancer is multi-faceted, and I am thankful we can be informed and take precautions while continuing to rest in God’s sovereignty!
Diane Kukula
Thanks, Brooke, and Erin for your replies. The fear and anxiety I mentioned had more to do with the fact that my daughters have felt it hit close to home twice already. I am sure in the back of their minds they wonder if they too, will someday go thru what I have, then to have information re bras, mammograms and deodorant as possible ’causes’? I have no fear or anxiety. God knows the number of my days. I also know He is able and can use anything or nothing at all to bring about healing, should physical healing here be His will. I have testimony after testimony. I am a good steward of my body. I had conventional treatment for my breast cancer dx’s both times and both times He restored my health. I still would like the claims backed up with scientific evidence, which I am guessing us little to none. And the title of the blog post was THREE CAUSES OF CANCER, which cannot be substantiated as I mentioned in my first comment, which leads to a rather irresponsible and ridiculous claim. The post evokes emotion because I am saddened that by such statements whatever possible credibility and testimony there may be, it is sadly, compromised. I also know many many many cancer survivors who have had treatment and ate cancer free and doing well. God alone has perfect wisdom and knowledge. In His hands I rest.
Erin
Hi Diane,
I can relate to your daughters’ feelings, as my own mother has had ovarian cancer twice. It is in the back of my head, too–especially since ovarian cancer is so much harder to catch early on. My mother also took chemotherapy treatments, and praise God she has been cancer free for over 10 years now.
Jill included 3 references and a disclaimer at the bottom of the post. The post was to hopefully encourage ladies to look further into these things on their own–not to scare them, etc.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful testimony!!
Diane
Erin,
I would strongly encourage your mother to consider having genetic testing done. It is as simple as ‘mapping out’ your family tree with cancer history and/or addtl health history, plus a blood draw. BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations carry higher risks of ovarian cancer as well as breast cancer. You are absolutely correct in saying ovarian cancer is more difficult to detect early. This is all the more reason to arm yourself with knowledge if at all possible. While it DOESN’T mean that IF she is found to have either gene mutation that YOU have it, it also doesn’t mean if you DO have either BRCA1 or BRCA2 that you WILL get breast or ovarian cancer…it only indicates your risk is HIGHER. Information and knowledge is key. I hope you will discuss the option of genetic testing with your mom…and she with her drs. It very well could provide you with vital information. God bless!
Sam
But the post DOES say that these things cause cancer–the title of the post is “Three Causes of Breast Cancer”. While I think it is incredibly important to be aware that a variety of environmental factors may put women at risk for breast cancer, I think it is a little irresponsible to title this post “Three Causes of Breast Cancer.” Unless there are scientific articles to back up these claims, we can’t just throw around “facts” Perhaps it would have been better to say that these are your opinions or that there is some data that suggests that wearing deodorant may be a risk factor for breast cancer.
Kristine
Thank you Diane for mentioning BRCA1/2 mutations. I have BRCA2 mutation (as does my sister) acquired from our father who has breast cancer. All of these ’causes’ are indeed disturbing. I will get cancer whether or not I am in perfect health and living an ideal lifestyle within a perfect environment.
shereda
I am an Ob/Gyn nurse AND I just happen to be Diane’s friend. Um, this post is crazy. There is no credible source to back your claim. The post that states that more people than ever are getting cancer is not because of the medical community. I take offense to this. Actually, more people than ever are SURVIVING breast cancer. As long as one person is fighting it — that is one person to many, but due to the amount of awareness, MAMMOGRAMS, and research and hard work by those of us who are trying to eliminate this disease are the reasons that it is successful. Not to mention at the top of the heap is our Lord and savior. We have an increase in the amount of people who are diagnosed. I believe environmental factors are hugely the blame. We breathe toxins daily, many people do not live healthy lives, many times there is a genetic pre-disposition, as teens we abuse our bodies with alcohol and drugs, illicit sex. To make the staements that you have made on here are hurtful to those who have fought, are fighting, who may fight and for those who have lost loved ones to breast cancer. If you are going to post something, please be accurate.
RG
Sigh. It is irritating when people cannot take some simple tips for what they are intended to be, simple tips. Some get emotional and lash out based on personal experiences.
Many of us (cancer survivors) do not take offense. These survivors sit back and say, “Huh, I never thought those things could contribute. Interesting. I’ll look into that. At least it could do no harm, and would make me a bit healthier.”
A disclaimer and links are at the bottom of the post. That is being responsible, accurate, and showing knowledge, not ignorance.
While it isn’t nice to say, it is true: most times we are not given this type of information in the main stream media or in our doctor’s offices. The medical community does focus mostly on getting patients through the cancer that is already present, and less on talking about prevention. When a patient begins talking about prevention, the care giver often brings up hobby horses, sob stories, extreme examples, mixed with skepticism about natural means. Current studies and facts are not addressed, because doctors and such have already come to their conclusions. Therefore they know what is best for you – that is elitist mentality. Why not give the patient some opportunity to come to their own conclusions based on the same research you have seen, nurse or doc? It is their life hanging in the balance after all.
I’ve seen other material raising questions about mammograms also, from very credible sources. Anyone else in the medical community, who wants to, can easily get hold of that information. One nurse or doctor cannot vouch for the whole of medical practice in the USA, and it is not safe to assume everyone uses the same techniques, protocol, etc.
Using one’s positional title as credibility to infer they know all there is to know about a subject, seeking to diminish the research of someone else, is arrogant and a sly way of bullying. Even research scientists and highly acclaimed physicians know they don’t know everything and are continually conferring with one another.
Do you want the author of this post to change the title a bit? That is fine, calmly ask her to do so, if you must. Otherwise, let’s just take a few tidbits of advice and work on the simple areas we can change as noted in the article.
My statements are not intended to be incensing. Don’t accuse me of being rude because I tend to be concise. The two are not the same thing.
Sam
I agree that we can and should consider a variety of factors that may contribute to breast cancer, but the post title says that these “Cause Breast Cancer”. Also, the disclaimer is written in the smallest font possible, I can hardly see it. Not to mention, the “sources” are just the listing of the websites where the information came from–there are no specific articles cited nor do we know if these websites have credible studies listed.
Leanne
I have a great recipe for natural deodorant that is free from cancer causing toxins at http://www.planprepareandprovide.com/2012/07/homemade-deodorant.html
This deodorant works great too. I don’t get mammograms yet, don’t think I ever will. Now I just have to wear bras less…
Kimberly
There are always people that will advocate on the side of Practicing Medicine and whatever the pharmaceutical companies say. I will probably get criticized for what I just wrote. But it never hurts to take advise and precautions. You weren’t prescribing a magic cure, you’re saying that omitting these things may help. I had heard/read about these three things in the past. I will add that if you are eating things that have less toxins, you will release less toxins. Its the toxins and bacteria that stink. Also, if you wax under your armpits it really opens up the pores. You will sweat really heavy for a while, but will help you release all that junk. I use a salt rock deodorant fray out of the shower before any bacteria can start up. It helps alot. I might add, I just found your blog and it sounds like we are much alike. I stay home with 3 almost 4 kids now, breastfeed, cloth diaper, and live on a tight budget. God bless you and I pray you continue to touch peoples lives and inspire them.
Sarah
I realize this is an old post, and I didn’t read all of the posts, but breastfeeding can also significantly reduce your risk (as well as reduce the risk for baby) of breast cancer! Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk (59%!!) of breast cancer in women who have a family history of the disease and at least a 28% reduction for those without one. That is HUGE, and something I rarely see talked about.