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The Brassage for Wellness?
By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD Guest Blogger
Any woman who's ever shopped for a bra would probably think it sounds too good to be true, but perhaps be interested anyway. So, there's a bra that looks sexy, lifts, and claims to massage you and improve breast health by flushing away toxins? Never mind the $59 price tag, where is it?
That was the promise, anyway, behind The Brassage--the brainchild of Christina Erteszek, daughter of the famed Olga Erteszek, the lingerie maker. She appeared on television's "Good Morning America" Monday to talk about her bra. But when the questioning turned tough, she got up and abruptly walked off. She returned to finish the interview, emphasizing that she is making no medical claims.
Later Monday, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the bra-under-fire had been taken off the market. That could not be confirmed, though, because the telephone number for the company's North Carolina headquarters, Intimate Health, now carries a recording that the number has been disconnected.
The Federal Trade Commission, as is its policy, refused to comment.
"The Federal Trade Commission has not concluded any investigations against the marketers of the Brassage," says press officer Betsy Lordan. As a matter of policy, however, FTC doesn't comment on ongoing investigations, she says.
Meanwhile, what about the claims that the bra's massaging bumps sewn into the side "stimulate lymphatic flow," which promotes healthy breast tissue, according to the company's website.
Erteszek is also quoted in other media outlets as saying the "wellness bra" helps to prevent breast disease.
Not so fast, says an expert from the American Cancer Society. "There is no credible evidence to suggest that local accumulation of toxins has a role in breast cancer risk," Ted Gansler, MD, director of medical content for the American Cancer Society, tells WebMD.
"And there is no scientific evidence that this type of bra or any other has any impact of women's risk of developing breast cancer."
What about the bra's claim of stimulating lymphatic flow? "Unless you have had surgery or a treatment that damages lymphatic vessels, your lymphatic flow will be just fine, regardless of what bra you wear or even if you wear no bra," Gansler says.
On its website, the American Cancer Society also addresses the topic of bras and breast cancer, posting information in response to a previous email rumor that claims wearing a bra for the entire day compresses the breast's lymphatic system, resulting in toxin accumulation that cause breast cancer.
In respond, the ACS says: "There are no scientifically valid studies that show wearing bras of any type causes breast cancer."
Debating whether to buy a $59 bra that bills itself as the "wellness bra" is distracting and takes attention away from productive measures to maintain breast health, Gansler says.
"It's important for women not to be distracted by unsubstantiated claims and to learn about things they can do to lower breast cancer risk and to find it early," he says. Among the ways to lower breast cancer risk: maintain a healthy weight, get regular exercise, drink alcohol in moderation or not at all, get regular mammograms, be aware of breast changes and seek medical help if they occur.
WebMD Guest Blogger
Any woman who's ever shopped for a bra would probably think it sounds too good to be true, but perhaps be interested anyway. So, there's a bra that looks sexy, lifts, and claims to massage you and improve breast health by flushing away toxins? Never mind the $59 price tag, where is it?
That was the promise, anyway, behind The Brassage--the brainchild of Christina Erteszek, daughter of the famed Olga Erteszek, the lingerie maker. She appeared on television's "Good Morning America" Monday to talk about her bra. But when the questioning turned tough, she got up and abruptly walked off. She returned to finish the interview, emphasizing that she is making no medical claims.
Later Monday, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the bra-under-fire had been taken off the market. That could not be confirmed, though, because the telephone number for the company's North Carolina headquarters, Intimate Health, now carries a recording that the number has been disconnected.
The Federal Trade Commission, as is its policy, refused to comment.
"The Federal Trade Commission has not concluded any investigations against the marketers of the Brassage," says press officer Betsy Lordan. As a matter of policy, however, FTC doesn't comment on ongoing investigations, she says.
Meanwhile, what about the claims that the bra's massaging bumps sewn into the side "stimulate lymphatic flow," which promotes healthy breast tissue, according to the company's website.
Erteszek is also quoted in other media outlets as saying the "wellness bra" helps to prevent breast disease.
Not so fast, says an expert from the American Cancer Society. "There is no credible evidence to suggest that local accumulation of toxins has a role in breast cancer risk," Ted Gansler, MD, director of medical content for the American Cancer Society, tells WebMD.
"And there is no scientific evidence that this type of bra or any other has any impact of women's risk of developing breast cancer."
What about the bra's claim of stimulating lymphatic flow? "Unless you have had surgery or a treatment that damages lymphatic vessels, your lymphatic flow will be just fine, regardless of what bra you wear or even if you wear no bra," Gansler says.
On its website, the American Cancer Society also addresses the topic of bras and breast cancer, posting information in response to a previous email rumor that claims wearing a bra for the entire day compresses the breast's lymphatic system, resulting in toxin accumulation that cause breast cancer.
In respond, the ACS says: "There are no scientifically valid studies that show wearing bras of any type causes breast cancer."
Debating whether to buy a $59 bra that bills itself as the "wellness bra" is distracting and takes attention away from productive measures to maintain breast health, Gansler says.
"It's important for women not to be distracted by unsubstantiated claims and to learn about things they can do to lower breast cancer risk and to find it early," he says. Among the ways to lower breast cancer risk: maintain a healthy weight, get regular exercise, drink alcohol in moderation or not at all, get regular mammograms, be aware of breast changes and seek medical help if they occur.
14 Comments:
The Brassage may or may not help lymph flow. Research is needed. But the link between bras and breast cancer is real. The ACS is covering-up this important information, and refuses to do follow-up research into the bra/cancer issue. It is an embarassment to the medical industry that they have ignored the bra in their research into breast disease. It's like ignoring tight shoes when researching foot disease. The ACS is also interested in treating this disease, not in preventing it, which makes no money for the medical/cancer industry.
As for the bra/cancer link, medical anthropologist researchers Sydney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer have conducted groundbreaking research, discussed in their book Dressed To Kill, showing that constriction from bras is the leading cause of breast cancer. Essentially, bra-free women have about the same incidence of breast cancer as men. And a Harvard study in 1991 found bra-free women had a much lower incidence of breast cancer as bra wearing women.
More research is needed, but the medical industry is avoiding and suppressing the issue. Women should try going bra-free to see for themselves what effect it has on their breast health. Unfortunately, you can't trust the medical industry to admit that they have ignored the major cause of breast cancer, as well as of fibrocystic breast disease.
OMG , THAK YOU ANONYMOUS, I had NO CLUE that Bras could be linked with cancer ~~ Thats crazy! OFF2 DO MORE RESEARCH!! Thanks A!!
I am stunned to find there is a link between bras and breast cancer. I am a 73 yr old woman and have worn a bra since youth. I do know a man must have invented them as they are the most uncomfortable item of clothing you can wear. Fortunately, I have not had breast cancer but I do have ten grand-daughters who will immediately receive this information.
"And there is no scientific evidence that this type of bra or any other has any impact of women's risk of developing breast cancer."
Read it again! There is no evidence of a link between bras and breast cancer!!!!
And anyone who thinks the American Cancer Society is in it for the money should be ashamed of themselves. I have volunteered for several years for the ACS. The staff is overwhelmingly supportive and energetic, doing all they can to help people who are dealing with cancer (their own or a loved one), to provide FREE OF CHARGE cancer prevention education, and to fund cancer research. They give away their money - they aren't getting rich from their work. What kind of sad mindset does it take to come up with this kind of crap?
I've been wearing a bra for 65 years and would have a broken back if I didn't. God in his infinite wisdom endowed the women in my family with huge breasts. I think Olga's daughter is full of bs.
There's always corsets I guess..
to the first anonymous - i have not read the specific book you refer to, but how can you be sure the research takes into account the fact that small breasted women are more likely to not wear a bra at all, while large breasted women (who are already at higher risk, regardless of bra wearing) probably will. in other words it may be true that bra wearing women have more incidences of cancer but it is due to their breast size not the bra. also the types of people who go braless might generally lead healthier lifestyles ie eat healthier or live in rural areas where fashion is not a priority as much as hard work, which goes hand in hand with a healthier diet and regular exercise.
Really the point isn't whether or not they are comfortable or cause cancer, bras are a neccessity for large breasted ladies. There is no way around it. The so called "built in bras" in tank tops just don't cut it. In my family my sister has been blessed with perfect sized breasts and can go braless if she so pleases. I, on the other hand, am in pain just going up and down the steps without a bra on. So, cancer or not I am at the mercy of the bra, and I plan to wear one until something better is invented. Maybe instead of scaring us with all your bra/cancer info you could do something constructive and help us women by creating a bra that is supportive and nonconstrictive.
P.S. Thank you Dave for your typical male answer.
I agree with Anonymous from April 4. Bras are terrible and uncomfortable, but it can be even worse without them. In my family have very narrow rib cages but also very large breasts, which makes bras worse. I cannot even FIND a bra that is supposed to fit correctly for my figure in the US, the closest store is overseas (imagine the shipping costs for just the basics). Maybe instead of creating "massaging" bras, they should spend money on developing more bras with small band sizes and very large cup sizes in the US that are actually comfortable and supportive.
I find it amusing that some women say the need a bra! The human female body did not evolve with an error that requires 20th century lingerie to correct. Women have been bra-free for millenia. On the other hand, women who feel uncomfortable without a bra are probably addicted to the bra, which acts as a harness, causing their natural breast suspensory ligaments to become weak from lack of use. It's a sign of breast disease if you can't walk bra-free without pain. You may want to slowly kick the bra habit and get your body able to support itself.
to Anonymous from April 8 -- You obviously have smaller breasts, and are very fortunate that you can walk around comfortably without a bra. If you could walk a mile in my shoes...er breasts... you would understand why we larger breasted women require and want to wear a bra. Women have been finding ways to support the breast for centuries.. the bra is just the latest invention.
Ok, wow. Not only is this bra a piece of crazy imaginaion. A lot of people posting here I seriously misguided. One they are claiming that the bra removes toxins from the breasts. Last I checked the liver and kidneys etc were was functioned as filters for our bodies not breasts. Secondly, to the poster that believes bigger breasted women are at a higher risk of breast cancer it simply isn't true. One, because women with smaller breasts believe this myth they disregard many useful screenings and mammograms that can't diagnose breast cancer. Secondly, you have a higher risk the more dense the mammary and skin tissue in your breast, however it also makes it harder for doctors to see any abnormalities when you have breasts such as this. Thirdly, you are more likely to get breast cancer if you have a genetic disposition to it. Mostly what I am saying if to hell with the bra, just get screened and get your yearly mammogram.
I am amazed by a few of the comments. I have just had treatment for a recurrence of breast cancer (it came back on my 8year old lumpectomy scar).
Like one of the anonymouses, I have always had "mongo" breasts-32DD, which is another unusual size. I used to joke with my friends, that if I didn't wear a bra goind downstairs in the morning, I would have black eyes from my breasts bouncing around. For that reason I could never go braless.
I am now anticipating a prophylactic Mastectomy on the other side, and am told I can select what size I want them to be. Immediately I selected B.At 56will actually have "perky ones", and I will be able to wear a straplesss dress. Obviously the least of my problems). But the biggest reason for the small cup is due to the discomfort of the larger size, as well as the fear of mammograms not catching cancer to the density of the fibrocystic disease. My mother also had breat cancer and she does not have large breasts, as did her aunt. A fine example of the genetic link.
It is infuriating to know that anyone can possibly accuse the ACS of such behavior.They have been such a source of help and support (not even including the research and strides they have made in the field). Myself and millions of others would not be alive today without their selfless and "non profit" and work. They have paid for cabs to get me to chemo appointments, provided unlimited resources and even paid for my wig (100%) which is nicer than the $500one I had bought myself (which was starting to fall apart.)
If people could spend their time working on research or donating their time rather than it woul be great.
What is also scarey here, is the number of people who believed your information just from reading it on your post, and took it as the gospel. While any theories can prove to be correct, bu
t it ccan be dangerous to make such important decisions based on one posting on a website.
Again, shame on anonymous #1, and to the ACS and its employees and affiliates, THANK YOU THANK YOU.
Conspiracy theories about the ACS covering up information on bras that supposedly are beneficial are really out of touch.
There is no proof, no link, between breast cancer and bras. That's what my first-class oncologist says, and I believe him.
As a breast cancer survivor and self-advocate, I do understand that we always want to know how to avoid getting sick and reasons why some people do. As someone who was fit and ate right, all I can say is that doctors do not know exactly what causes breast cancer. If they knew, there would be a cure.
Various sources often use fear as a way to manipulate the public into purchasing supposed remedies, foods, and bras.
Beth L. Gainer, author of Calling the Shots: www.bethlgainer.blogspot.com
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