Every year about six hundred New Zealand Women die from breast cancer and more than 1500 are diagnosed and actually about ten times more women die from breast cancer than cervical cancer.
It is predicted that if New Zealand trends continue to follow those of other countries then greater numbers of women will be diagnosed with this disease every year.

The exact causes of breast cancer aren’t known although genetics (family history) and lifestyle are believed to be factors along with bodily toxins, antiperspirants, wearing a bra (see below) and other possibilities.

Early detection is vital in the successful treatment of breast cancer, and something every woman should learn is self-examination. The majority of lumps found in breasts are benign - non-cancerous. Learning how breasts look and feel normally means that abnormalities will be found quickly and the chance of recovery in the event of cancer is greatly improved.

A study* of 4,700 women found that women who wore bras had an increased chance of acquiring breast cancer. It is very possible that the constant pressure that the bra puts on the breast is limiting the flow of toxins that need to be released, resulting in the increased cancer rate.

The Study found the highest rate of breast cancer in those who wore bras 24 hours a day, and the lowest rate in those who never wore bras. The study suggested that women should wear their bra less than 12 hours a day.

It is worth noting that when breast cancer is detected, breast removal surgery does not normally extend one's life. Surgery may remove the symptoms for a while and chemotherapy will almost certainly make you feel an invalid.
The trends among affected women in Europe are to suffer the lumps which can just go away without medication and it is our feeling that alternative / complementary medicines can be more beneficial in reversing symptoms.

Prevention of Breast Cancer
With a basic understanding of the breast, you will see that self-care can make a difference in the health of your breast tissues. 

It is imperative that toxins be continually removed through the body's veins and lymphatic vessels. When these toxins are unable to exit the body properly, the possibility of cancer increases.

Research** in New Zealand has now proven that breast feeding reduces the likely hood of breast cancer. A research project analyzed results of studies done in 30 countries and found that with each birth, a woman's chances of breast cancer reduce by 7% and over 4% for each year that she breast feeds.

* Singer, Sydney Ross. Dressed to Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras, Garden City Park, NY: Avery Pub. Group, 1995 Breast Cancer and the Bra

** Preventative Medicine, Otago University

Breast massage for health