The Reason

As we go through life our bodies can become over-burdened by the harmful effects of where we have been, what we have consumed and our basic lifestyles. Over time our cellular integrity is at risk of being compromised by the adverse affects of alcohol, smoking, pesticides, smog and other toxic pollutants. *(25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 41, 42, 43, 49, 54, 56, 60, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 86, 97, 99, 108, 109, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 121, 122, 123, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 147, 148, 150, 151)

*Research reference number for "Sources" section.

The human body, when functioning properly, naturally removes and detoxifies most harmful pollutants from its tissues via a special branch of the immune system known as the lymphatic system. This filtration section of the immune system is comprised of a vast network of delicate thin walled, pressure sensitive vessels that transport harmful toxins too large to re-enter the blood vascular system away from the intercellular spaces, through the lymph organs and back into the blood vascular system where they are eliminated from the body.

While the lymphatic system is as extensive and complex as the body's circulatory system it does not have a main pump to assist circulation. Flow relies on a collection of numerous one-way valves in the vessels as in veins.

Circulation and drainage of lymphatic fluid is attained by body motion, such as breathing, walking, arm movement, and massage. During exercise and or massage the lymph flow may increase as much as 10 to 22 times the normal 125 ML/hour or 3 quarts per 24-hour period. In addition, segmental contraction of the walls of the lymphatic vessels themselves results in lymph being pumped from one valve segment to the next via one-way valves.

Structure and Function

The breasts are protruding, milk producing modified sweat glands, which are made up of a small amount of fibrous tissue and 85% fatty tissue that provide support and contain nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels located mostly on the side of the chest. Male breasts are an undeveloped version of those on the female.

The normal mature female breast varies from approximately 50 to 500 grams, and is largely influenced by the body habits of the individual, with a large variation in the fat content of the breast. There is extension of the breast tissue into the axilla to a variable degree as well. The normal breast is composed of roughly 15 to 20 lobes, each of which has its own major duct opening into the lactiferous sinus, just below the nipple. Each lobe is encapsulated by the connective tissue, ligaments of Cooper, and each is further subdivided into multiple lobules, also referred to as the terminal ductal unit. Lobules are composed of multiple glandular units enveloped by a loose stroma and are demarcated by a basement membrane. Adipose tissue is distributed within and around lobes of the breast parenchymal tissue. The overlying nipple is composed of dense connective tissue that coalesces into the lactiferous sinus and lactiferous ducts. The skin of the nipple contains multiple sebaceous glands and is variably pigmented, as is the surrounding areola, which contains bundles of smooth muscle cells and small milk ducts. The primary function of the breast is to nourish a baby, but from ancient times, it has also been a symbol of femininity, beauty and eroticism. The size and shape of the female breasts probably differ more than any other part of the body. The size of the breast cannot be increased by exercise because there are no muscles within it, but only ligaments that interlace the fat and tissue. The amount of milk is not dependent upon breast size. The breast tissue lies superficial to the muscle of the chest, and is drained by lymph nodes to multiple sites, including the skin around the breast, the chest wall and the axilla. The axilla constitutes over 85%, which is the majority of lymphatic drainage from the breast. *(14, 17, 33, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132)

Tissue that is congested and/or sluggishly cleansed may keep toxic reservoirs in pockets of lymphatic fluid called Lymphatic Lakes in the intracellular areas for long periods of time adversely affecting the homeostasis of the cellular environment. *(141)

The Lymphatic and Circulatory Systems

The Lymphatic System is a branch of the body's Immune System and is responsible for collecting and removing toxins and waste products left behind in the tissues that are too large to re-enter the blood vascular system through the blood vessels. When functioning properly the Lymphatic System naturally transports most harmful pollutants from its tissues into the blood via lymphatic vessels where they are detoxified and excreted by the liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs and other areas of the body. Pollutants not purged often concentrate in the fatty tissues of the body creating a potential toxic hazard. *(50, 53)

Blood is responsible for collecting and distributing oxygen, gasses, nutrients, and hormones to and from the tissues of the entire body.

While the lymphatic system is as extensive and complex as the body's circulatory system, it lacks a main pump (like the heart) to assist circulation. Instead, the rate and direction of lymphatic circulation (flow) relies on movement and numerous one-way valves in the lymphatic vessels. Enhanced flow and drainage is typically attained by body motion, such as walking, breathing, exercise, and massage. During exercise, lymph flow may increase as much as 10 to 22 times the normal 125 ML/hour or 3 quarts per 24-hour period. In addition, segmental contraction of the walls of the lymphatic vessels themselves results in lymph being pumped from one valve segment to the next via one-way valves.
*(1, 53, 84, 87)

In and around the breast, the lymphatics are just under the skin, very thin, and extremely sensitive to pressure (easily compressed). Rhythmical compression created by natural movements, like exercise, or gentle massage, results in the enhancement of lymphatic flow. However, constant and/or constrictive compression can cause the vessels to collapse and remain closed, hampering the flow. *(1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 14, 23, 95, 96, 101, 102, 104, 106, 112, 125, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 142, 153)

Many in the medical and scientific community have expressed concern that chemical pollutants are concentrating in the intracellular spaces of the breast tissues. Over time these concentrated genotoxins can adversely affect the sensitive DNA of adjacent mammary cells. *(27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 50, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 66, 67, 69, 70, 72, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 82, 86, 87, 88, 97, 99, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 121, 122, 123, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 143, 145, 147, 148, 150, 151, 152, 163, 154, 155, 156)

The Biology Of Breast Cancer

Despite a dramatic increase in research funding and awareness, cancer's cause is still under debate - ranging from genetics to retroactive viruses to our daily exposure to environmental and lifestyle pollutants, including radiation, hormones, contraceptives, diet, pesticides, man-made carcinogens, genotoxins, hormones and antibiotics and few conclusive preventative measures have been developed. Unfortunately, mammograms have not been as accurate in cancer diagnosis as originally hoped because of their difficulty to interpret it leads to a broad range of inconsistent conclusions.

More American women have died of breast cancer in the past two decades than all the Americans killed in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War combined. Over 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable symptoms. All women are at risk and risk increases with age. The majority of women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease. The amount of breast tissue a woman has does not affect her risk of developing breast cancer. Every woman is at risk for breast cancer regardless of race or socioeconomic status.

How does pollution trigger breast cancer? What is the link? There is a plethora of evidence showing many environmental chemicals, especially pesticides, high-fat diets, processed food diets and fast foods with trans-fatty acids and low nutritional value all play a role in potentiating breast cancer.

Cancer develops through a multi-step process in which normal, healthy cells in the body go through stages that eventually changing them into abnormal cells that multiply out of control. In most cases, cancer takes many years to develop from 10 to 30. *(22, 69)

Cancer occurs when a cell goes haywire and starts multiplying uncontrollably. Modern cancer theory says a cancer is initiated when damage occurs to the cell's genetic material, its DNA. Such damage can arise spontaneously (translation: we don't have any idea what causes it) or it can result from an encounter with a carcinogen, such as x-ray or a cancer-causing genotoxic chemical.

Damaged ("initiated") cells are likely to be removed from the body by a natural process called apoptosis. (Therefore anything that interferes with apoptosis may encourage cancer without being recognized as a carcinogen.)

An "initiated" cell that survives apoptosis does not begin to grow uncontrollably until several more things happen to it. The cell has to be "promoted" by agents (such as x-rays or certain toxic chemicals) that interfere with ordinary messages being transmitted back and forth between the cell and the body it inhabits. In some instances, estrogen (female sex hormone) can "promote" cancer cells. The result of "promotion" is an expanded cluster of abnormal cells, waiting to become true cancers.

Still these cells do not multiply uncontrollably unless something ELSE happens to them. That "something else" is called progression and it results from more physical injury to the cell's DNA and progression in all likelihood requires one more physical injury. Again, x-rays and certain genotoxic chemicals promote this process.

A cell that has been sufficiently damaged takes on fearsome properties - it becomes more sensitive to hormones, it can spread and invade other parts of the host body and it develops a knack for attracting blood vessels to nourish the growing tumor. It is now a cancer and left alone, it will multiply until it kills the host.

Breast tissue is particularly sensitive to developing cancer for several reasons. The female hormone estrogen stimulates breast cell division. This division can increase the risk of making damage to DNA permanent. Furthermore, breast cells are not fully matured in girls and young women who have not had their first full term pregnancy. Breast cells that are not fully mature bind carcinogens more strongly and are not as efficient at repairing DNA damage as mature breast cells. Any substance that causes mutations in DNA is called a mutagen. Most DNA mutations are repaired by the cell, but in rare cases mutations do not get repaired. If a mutation is not repaired before a cell copies its DNA and divides into two cells, then the mutation is passed on to the two new daughter cells and becomes permanent. Mutations in most of a cell's DNA have no effect on whether the cell will become cancerous. However, the protein signals coded by a very small proportion of the total genes in each cell regulate cell growth and division. These regulatory genes include the two groups of genes called protoncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. A series of mutations in the DNA of either and/or both groups of these growth-controlling genes can eventually lead to cancer. Buildup of these mutations may take years to develop. Cancer is more common in tissues in which cells divide frequently such as with breast, skin, colon and uterine tissues. Environmental estrogens (estrogen mimics) are synthetic chemicals that can act like human estrogen in a women's body, and may stimulate cell division in the breast. Toxic chemicals easily find their way into our body through the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink. Obviously these toxins must be eliminated before they can disrupt normal metabolic systems and processes. *(9, 10, 11, 12,13, 16, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 49, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 66, 67, 69,, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 85, 86, 97, 99, 105, 108, 109, 110, 111, 113, 115, 117, 118, 119, 121, 122, 123, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 150, 151, 152

Tainted Breast Milk

"We are exposed to thousands of naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals over a lifetime. Many chemicals are essential for life and are beneficial, while exposures to other chemicals can be harmful and affect our health. There are many ways our bodies can be exposed to chemicals. This includes exposure in the air we breathe, in the food and beverages we eat and by contact with our skin. Fetuses can be exposed to chemicals that cross the placenta during pregnancy. Some environmental contaminants can pass from the mother's body to an infant through breast milk." *(69)

"Certain chemicals can be stored in fat of fish and animals, becoming more concentrated as they pass op the food chain. These chemicals can be stored in the fatty tissues of the body for periods of long time. Other chemicals may be broken down and are quickly eliminated from the body. Some chemicals first need to be "activated" by enzymes in the body to become cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens). The chemicals pose no cancer risk, while others may act as beneficial "anti-cancer" agents. It is impossible to make generalizations about environmental chemicals. Each chemical has a unique pattern in the way it is handled by the body and has a different potential for whether or not it can contribute to breast cancer." *(69)

At the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine's annual symposium on June 19-21, 1998 "Man and his Environment in Health and Disease", Dr. Alan Lieberman, M.D. stated that, "the news is not good and what is worse, one wonders if anyone is listening". We have been concerned about problems of infertility, impotence in males and overt falling sperm counts. To this must be added an increasing incidence of endometriosis and breast cancer and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Is there a unifying explanation for all this? The data seems to confirm there is. The culprit can be summed up in one word, xenoestrogens or endocrine disrupters, but the problem is with out a doubt more complex.

At the conference, speaker after speaker emphasized our excessive exposure to multiple chemicals, which fall into this category of xenoestrogens or estrogen mimics, including pesticides, plastics and many additives. Hundreds of other pesticides have since been used and continue to be used with reckless abandon. All of which are not only toxic, but also estrogen mimics. Soft plastics are another potent source of xenoestrogens and are ubiquitous in our environment. Their use in packaging of foods has contributed to the contamination of our food supply with estrogen mimics. Several Speakers at this conference discussed the effects of xenoestrogen exposure. In women, we see the greatly increased incidence of breast cancer, endometriosis, severe menopausal symptoms and premenstrual symptoms.

In the darkened conference room a slide was projected on a screen presenting a roster of chemicals that read like a Superfund site. A mother of two boys and a successful physician in her late 40s stood aghast. A list containing 200 chemicals - including DDT, polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs), dioxin (TCDD), mercury, lead, toluline, benaine and xylene - were discovered not is some toxic waste dump but in mother's milk. The levels were so high that if the breast milk were to be put on grocery stores shelves the EPA would ban it. The fatty tissue of the breast is a primary storehouse or waste dumpsite for the many of these xenodiotics to which the adult female is exposed. Levels of DDE (the metabolic of DDT) and Dioxins and Furans (Highly chlorinated hydrocarbons) are especially elevated in the breast milk. The latter are considered being among the most toxic chemicals known. *(9)

Dr. Walter Rogan a specialist on the subject with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, N.C. stated "There is no uncontaminated mother's milk", says Dr. Rogan,
"virtually all mothers carry environmentally derived chemicals in their bodies". The question is whether or not toxic exposures in breast milk can have an effect on a developing infant.

Based on studies performed in Egypt by Accuhem Laboratories, Dr. John Lasiter, M.D. reported that a population of women exposed to xeonbiotics had, surprisingly, the lowest levels of these chemicals in their blood. Upon further investigation, it was determined that these women had breast fed their babies and the more babies mothers had breast fed, the lower the xeonbiotic level in the mothers. Breast milk had thus become a route of excretion of toxic chemicals from the nursing mothers. The mothers were being detoxified, but the chemicals were going into the mouths of their babies.
*(9, 12, 13, 24, 34, 35, 69, 88, 128, 129, 150)

The Solution

After seven years of researching scientific data compiled by medical doctors, scientists, holistic practitioners, massage therapists and academics, Dr. Jayson I. Sher, D.C. along with a team of medical advisors, engineers, designers, and consultants, successfully developed LETflow, a revolutionary new technology that works in conjunction with natural body movement to provide undetectable gentle micro-massage of the tissues above, around and near these extremely delicate lymphatic vessels. This massage aids the body in promoting and enhancing the lymphatic system's natural ability to remove and transport toxins, cellular debris, and other harmful chemicals from the breast tissue, promoting a healthier physiological environment. The bra containing the virtually invisible LETflow technology undetectably enhances lymphatic circulation, increases comfort to the wearer while maintaining the fashion and style of the brassiere. *(1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 14, 53, 54, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, 94, 95, 99, 101, 113)