The word lymph comes from the Latin for “water goddess.” Lymph fluid inside each vessel transports proteins, white blood cells, bacteria, cell debris, enzymes and hormones to and from the breast tissue. The uninhibited flow of lymph fluid protects and nourishes breast tissue, bathing each cell, keeping breasts clean and healthy on the inside. Normal, healthy movement of lymph fluid is essential for breast health.
Lymph drainage areas are located where most brassieres wrap around the rib cage. Tight or poorly fitting bras, snug elastic clothing and popular shape wear garments inhibit lymph drainage from the breasts. This results in the stagnation of lymph fluid. Stagnant lymph fluid is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, parasites, viruses and a build up of toxic wastes–creating an unhealthy breast tissue environment–causing breast swelling, pain and discomfort, or worse…
- anatomy of a lymph vessel
- lymphatic system of the breast
Lymph fluid normally moves through muscular movements, respirations, and through varied pressure on the skin, such as the movement of clothing, touch and massage. Breasts do not have muscles to help pump lymph fluid. Breasts are often confined to a bra, sometimes 24/7 (not healthy), so remove your bra at bedtime. Healthy breasts require movement. They should be allowed to lightly bounce while walking. Movement assists normal drainage of our wonderful, protective lymph fluids. Breast massage is not only a fabulous way to keep lymph fluid moving, it feels great too!
“When your girls are compressed in a bra, including padded bra’s, for long periods of time, there is little or no opportunity for the lymph and killer T-cells to do their job. We think that cancer cells love to hide and hang out in dark untouched stagnant places. It’s all about congestion. No matter what style bra you are wearing, it is important to move us around frequently throughout the day in order to move the lymph fluid and relieve congestion.”
Cheryl Chapman, RN “The Happy Breast Book“
Every “Girl” is Different
No two breasts are alike. Normal anatomy of the breast is different for each woman, depending on her weight, age, presence or absence of surgical scars, implants, hormone levels, as well as the amount of fatty tissue in her breasts.
Breasts are composed of fat and glandular tissue containing milk ducts, blood vessels, connective tissue, nerves and lymph vessels. Each breast has 15-20 sections, called lobes, that are arranged like the petals of a daisy. 
A layer of fat surrounds these milk producing lobes and extends throughout the breast. Since components of lymph fluid originate in our intestine, it is easy to understand the connection between what we eat, our ample breast lymph vessels, and the production of mothers milk. It’s also easy to understand how diet plays the ultimate role in breast health. The darker pigmented skin surrounding the nipple, the areola, contains glands to lubricate the areola, appearing as raised bumps. There may also be hairs. This is normal. Breast tissue itself covers a large area: from the clavicle (collar bone) to the sternum (“breast bone”), into the axilla (armpit) and resting onto the ribs.
The skin of the breast is thin and absorbent. This makes it important to use only pure, natural ingredient based soaps, lotions and perfumes near your breasts. For the same reason, breasts are ideal for absorbing nourishing, protective, all natural herbal oils.
Did you know
…that the pink ribbon and breast cancer awareness month were inventions of corporate interests? These notorious symbols associated with breast cancer were not created by breast cancer survivors or by breast cancer advocates. They were invented so that corporations could market products to women and families with breast cancer. Want to know more? Watch Busting Out a disarmingly honest and intimate exploration of our society’s attitudes towards breasts and how they affect women’s health and happiness. Or see Exposed: 10 Facts about the Breast Cancer Industry You’re Not Supposed to Know on our resources page.
