Factors That Influence Women's Breast Size

The size and shape of women’s breasts varies considerably. Some women have a large amount of breast tissue, and therefore, have large breasts. Other women have a smaller amount of tissue with little breast fat.
Factors that may influence a woman’s breast size include:

• Volume of breast tissue


• Family history


• Age


• Weight loss or gain


• History of pregnancies and lactation


• Thickness and elasticity of the breast skin


• Degree of hormonal influences on the breast (particularly estrogen and progesterone)


• Menopause

A woman’s breasts are rarely balanced (symmetrical). Usually, one breast is slightly larger or smaller, higher or lower, or shaped differently than the other. The size and characteristics of the nipple also vary greater from one woman to another. In some women, the nipples are constantly erect. In others, they will only become erect when stimulated by cold or touch. Some women also have inverted (turned in) nipples. Inverted nipples are not a cause for concern unless the condition is a new change. Since there are hair follicles around the nipple, hair on the breast is not uncommon.
The nipple can be flat, round, or cylindrical in shape. The color of the nipple is determined by the thinness and pigmentation of its skin. The nipple and areola (pigmented region surrounding the nipple) contain specialized muscle fibers that respond to stimulation to make the nipple erect. The areola also houses the Montgomery’s gland that may appear as tiny, raised bumps on the surface of the areola. The Montgomery’s gland helps lubricate the areola. When the nipple is stimulated, the muscle fibers will contract, the areola will pucker, and the nipples become hard.
Breast shape and appearance undergo a number of changes as a woman ages. In young women, the breast skin stretches and expands as the breasts grow, creating a rounded appearance. Young women tend to have denser breasts (more glandular tissue) than older women.
During each menstrual cycle, breast tissue tends to swell from changes in the body’s levels of estrogen and progesterone. The milk glands and ducts enlarge, and in turn, the breasts retain water. During menstruation, breasts may temporarily feel swollen, painful, tender, or lumpy.
THE EFFECTS OF HORMONES ON BREAST TISSUE
The breast is responsive to a complex interplay of hormones that cause the breast tissue to develop, enlarge and produce milk. The three major hormones affecting the breast are estrogen, progesterone and prolactin, which cause glandular tissue in both the breast and uterus to change during a woman's menstrual cycle. Because of reduced hormonal levels, the breasts are less full for 1 to 2 weeks after menstrual flow; therefore, it may be easier to detect breast lumps during this time. Reduction of hormonal levels is also responsible for the breast's return to its pre-pregnant state after breast-feeding is concluded.
Breast shape and appearance change as a woman ages. In the young woman the breast skin is stretched and expanded by the developing breasts. The breast in the adolescent is usually hemispherical, rounded and equally full in all areas. As a woman gets older, the topside of the breast tissue settles to a lower position, the skin stretches and the shape of the breast changes. After menopause, with the decrease of hormonal activity, the composition of the breast changes; the amount of glandular tissue decreases and fat and ductal tissue become the predominant components of the breast. Reduction in glandular volume can result in further looseness of the breast skin

Growth Stages of Brest

Though breast growth is not visible until puberty, breast development begins very early in the embryo and can be discerned within just a few weeks of conception. Interestingly, the earliest stages are identical in male and female fetuses, so many men could develop fully functioning breasts given the right hormonal conditions
After birth the breast has only two phases of development; the first at puberty with the outpouring of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone; the second during pregnancy and lactation, when the milk-producing lobules become larger
If puberty is stunted or if a woman remains childless, her breasts will not fully develop. The first stage of breast development begins in the embryo at about six weeks, with a thickening in the skin called the mammary ridge or milk line
By the time the fetus is six months old, this extends from the armpit to the groin, but it soon dies back, leaving two breast buds on the upper half oft he chest. Occasionally, rudimentary mammary glands develop along the milk line forming additional nipples or breasts that sometimes persist into adult life. More rarely, the two breast buds fade away with the rest of the milk line, so that the nipples are absent from birth
Because the initial development of the milk line is the same in male and female fetuses, this development can appear in the male and the female.
When a female fetus is about six months old, 15 - 20 solid columns of cells grow inward from each breast bud. Each column becomes a separate "sweat" or exocrine gland. With it’s own separate duct leading to the nipple
By the eighth month of fetal development, these columns of cells have become hollow so that, by birth, a nipple and a rudimentary milk-duct system have formed. No further development takes place until puberty
The first external signs of breast development appear at the age of 10 or 11 - though it can be as late as 14 years. The ovaries start to secrete estrogen leading to an accumulation of fat in the connective tissue that causes the breast to enlarge. The duct system also begins to develop, but only to the point of forming cellular knobs at the end of the ducts
As far as we know the mechanism that secretes milk doesn’t develop until pregnancy. Although the breast may appear fully grown within a few years of puberty, strictly speaking, their development is not complete until they have fulfilled their biological function - that is, until the woman carries a pregnancy to term and breast-feeds her baby, when they will undergo further changes
MATURITY OF THE BREASTS
Once a young woman reaches puberty, and ovulation and the menstrual cycle begins, the breasts start to mature, forming real secretory glands at the ends of the milk ducts. Initially these glands are very primitive and may consist of only one or two layers of cells surrounded by a base membrane.
Between this membrane and the glandular cells are cells of another type, called myo-epithelial cells, these cells are the ones that contract and squeeze milk from the gland if pregnancy occurs and milk production takes place .
With further growth, the lobes of the glands become separated from one another by dense connective tissue and fat deposits. This tissue is easily stretched. This is where the natural enlargement formula comes in and allows the enlargement that normally occurs during pregnancy when the glandular elements swell and grow
The duct system grows considerably after conception and many more glands and lobules are formed. This causes the breast to increase in size as it matures to fulfill its role of providing food for the baby
FEMALE CHANGES
Most women notice that just before menstruation their breasts enlarge and their nipples become sensitive and even painful. The texture of the breasts change and they become rather lumpy, with small discrete swellings that resemble orange pips in both texture and size. These lumps are glands in the breast which enlarge in preparation for pregnancy.
If pregnancy doesn’t occur, breasts return to their normal size and the glands become imperceptible to touch within a few days, ready for re-growth the next month. These changes in the breast are only one part of many changes that occur in the female body as the result of the monthly ebb and flow of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone
AGING OF THE BREASTS
As we get older, our breasts tend to sag and flatten; the larger the breasts, the more they sag. With the menopause there is a reduction in stimulation by the hormone oestrogen to all tissues of the body, including breast tissue; this results in a reduction in the glandular tissue of the breasts. So they loose their earlier fullness.
Regular exercise would have however prevented or slowed down the ageing process. Much of the connective tissue in the breast is composed of a fibrous protein called collagen, which needs oestrogen to keep it healthy. Without oestrogen, it becomes dehydrated and inelastic. Once the collagen has lost its shape and stretchability it "was" believed that it could not return to its former state or condition
STAGES - BREAST DEVELOPMENT
Human breast tissue begins to develop in the sixth week of fetal life. Breast tissue initially develops along the lines of the armpits and extends to the groin (this is called the milk ridge). By the ninth week of fetal life, it regresses (goes back) to the chest area, leaving two breast buds on the upper half of the chest. In females, columns of cells grow inward from each breast bud, becoming separate sweat glands with ducts leading to the nipple. Both male and female infants have very small breasts and actually experience some nipple discharge during the first few days after birth.
Female breasts do not begin growing until puberty—the period in life when the body undergoes a variety of changes to prepare for reproduction. Puberty usually begins for women around age 10 or 11. After pubic hair begins to grow, the breasts will begin responding to hormonal changes in the body. Specifically, the production of two hormones, estrogen and progesterone, signal the development of the glandular breast tissue. During this time, fat and fibrous breast tissue becomes more elastic. The breast ducts begin to grow and this growth continues until menstruation begins (typically one to two years after breast development has begun). Menstruation prepares the breasts and ovaries for potential pregnancy.
Female Breast Developmental Stages
Stage 1
(Preadolescent) only the tip of the nipple is raised
Stage 2
buds appear, breast and nipple raised, and the areola (dark area of skin that surrounds the nipple) enlarges
Stage 3
breasts are slightly larger with glandular breast tissue present
Stage 4
the areola and nipple become raised and form a second mound above the rest of the breast
Stage 5
mature adult breast; the breast becomes rounded and only the nipple is raise

Recent Breast Cancer Survivors

It has been estimated there will be 207,090 new cases of breast cancer in women and 1,970 in men in this year alone. It is surprising to some that men can acquire this form of cancer as well. Breast cancer can be non-invasive, meaning it is contained in one area, or it can be invasive, suggesting it has spread to other areas of the the breast and lymph nodes.

Role Model Survivors of Breast Cancer

There have been many 2010 cancer survivors in the news that have shared their story of bravery and determination. These people become role models for us as they show the true definition of what it means to be a fighter and perseverer. One such person that has become a cancer survivor role model for many is Saranne Rothberg, founder of The CommedyCures Foundation. This program conveys a therapeutic approach in helping sick people recover. Mrs. Rothberg was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in 1999 with a prognosis of only five years to live. For the benefit of her daughter, who was only six years old at the time of her diagnosis, she decided to make this a positive experience and not focus on the bad. From the very beginning, she turned her "scary" treatments into something fun, even going as far as throwing chemo parties during some of her treatments. This sparked the idea of creating a charity that would deliver laughter and humor to sick individuals. The CommedyCures Foundation helps people laugh at one of the scarriest times of their lives. It also assists in educating patients and families about the importance of the healing power of laughter and how it can aid in recovery. Saranne Rothberg is now cancer free and makes it her life mission to carry this message to others and provide "laughter medicine" to those who need it.

The Support-A-Walk Organization is a support service group that offers guidance to women and their families who have had breast or ovarian cancer. This year they have selected three ambassadors to represent the Support-A-Walk organization, which are Pam Tole, breast cancer survivor, Laura Kaplan, breast cancer survivor, and Debra Paget, ovarian cancer survivor. Each of these women came through their battles with fight, determination and will, becoming a role model to others fighting this disease. These woman have shown true bravery in the face of this disease and set an example for others to strive for in their own road to recovery.

Sheryl Crow is one of many celebrities of 2010 cancer survivors. She became a role model for cancer survivors when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 during a routine mammogram. She was recently honored at the opening of the Sheryl Crow Imaging Center. This center provides the most advanced technology available for women to detect breast cancer. This center is furnished with digital screening that is believed to be the best at early detection. Sheryl is also associated with the Pink Lotus Breast Center, which was established by her surgeon, Dr. Kristi Funk.

Cancer does not discriminate and can affect anyone, anywhere, at anytime. Early detection is key to a better prognosis with any type of cancer. It is important to know your body so that you will be able to detect when something is amiss. See your doctor regularly and be good to yourself and have a mammogram done yearly.

Successful Self-Breast Exam

If you're like many of us, a visit with a health care professional leaves you feeling rushed or anxious—or both. So much so, that all the questions you thought of before going in fly right out of your head. But, a breast exam by your health care professional is also a great opportunity to get your questions answered about breast health. The next time you are due for your breast exam—every three years if you're age 20 to 39, and every year if you're 40 or older—bring these important questions with you:

1. What factors would put me at higher risk for developing breast cancer, and is there anything I can do to lower my risk?
2. Does it increase my odds of developing breast cancer if my mother had it? Should I consider getting genetic testing or any other testing?
3. What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
4. How is breast cancer diagnosed?
5. Should I do monthly breast self-exams? If so, can you show me how?
6. What is a clinical breast exam? How often should I get one and who should do it?
7. What is a screening mammogram? When should I get my first one?
8. How can I find a low-cost or free mammogram?
9. Am I more likely to get breast cancer if I take birth control pills or hormonetherapy? How about if I have large or dense breasts?
10. I have a lump, but the mammogram says everything is normal. Should I request more tests?

Sex and Breast Cancer

Sexuality. It's inevitable that this is a word associated with breasts. Yet it is a challenging subject to write about. Why? First, I've always tended to be rather private when it comes to personal things like my sex life. Second, it's a topic that doctors will rarely bring up with breast cancer patients; perhaps they are uncomfortable or unsure of how to approach this touchy and highly personal subject. Doubtful it's part of their medical school curriculum (and if it is, I'm sure it plays a minor role). And then again, there's that time factor we all fall victim to—inevitably, when we see our doctor, any personal topics will be brought up last...if time allows. The majority of the office visit is spent on purely medical and practical concerns, like physical health and well-being.

There's no denying that for most women, the loss or alteration of a breast touches her sexuality on an extraordinarily deep level.

But it's all so very complicated, I think. Yes, the breasts are an erogenous organ associated with real physiological responses. And there's that psychological aspect of femininity and attractiveness. I was a late bloomer, probably one of the last girls of my age to wear a bra, and even when I finally started wearing one, I really didn't need it. But from a very early age, I was aware of breasts, aware of the effect that they had on boys, whose eyes would linger on the chests of the girls who had something to show, rather than mine. And I clearly remember that the instant I fastened my first bra—with the nonexistent cups—I stood a little taller, felt a little enhanced, like I finally "belonged." I made sure to wear the sheerest white blouse I owned, so that my entrée into womanhood would be evident to everyone, male or female.

In the process of writing this, I came to a realization: I was planning to write about how to maintain—or regain—your sex life, a subject on which I was not an expert. It's all so individual, after all. Then, I thought further and was going to write about the fact that the most crucial thing to regaining your sense of sexuality and femininity is having a supportive partner. But then—sorry for all these reversals!—I realized that when it comes down to it, we are all alone with our own bodies. There's not always that someone by our side to reinforce the fact that we are still beautiful and sexy, is there? And many of us might be single—possibly dating, possibly not.

I'm no authority on relationships or fulfilling sex lives, but I can say something about the relationship we have with our own bodies. After my mastectomy, I had to learn to love mine again.

I could love it because it was still alive and functioning. I could love it because it was healthy, it moved, it was still an expression of who I was, despite the fact that my breast was taken. In a way, I traded my breast for my life. I know this might sound a bit pat and clichéd—but it's true. I had to come to the realization that yes, it was sad to lose a breast, and yes, I'd miss it, but it was a necessary measure to preserve my health.

We are really all on our own. Another person cannot be by our side every hour of the day—like when we are in the shower and glance down at our scars or when we are in a locker room and feel self-conscious about undressing in front of other women; when we undress each night; or when we try on clothing that is suddenly a bit too "clingy" or "revealing" to flatter our changed physiques.

So I think the topic of sexuality has two facets: sexuality in terms of learning to accept your changed body and sexuality in terms of sharing that body with someone you love. The former, in my opinion, must be achieved first. Just like the way I think that we can't love someone until we learn to love ourselves.

I eventually came to accept the fact that breasts were not the only thing that defined my sexuality. If it sounds simplistic, believe me, it wasn't so simple, but I'm here almost 20 years later recounting my story. I can't deny that there were (and still are) times I mourned the loss of my breast; moments where I couldn't bear to look in the mirror. I was envious of the ample cleavages that seemed to surround me. The beautiful sight of a mother nursing her infant could fill me with a deep longing. Suddenly, I'd be transported back to the days when I was too flat-chested to wear a bra and felt somehow inferior.

Here, I'll guide you to some tips I came across while researching sexuality and breast cancer, from one of the best Web sites I've found on the subject, breastcancer.org. (I was truly relieved to find advice on not only how to regain a healthy sex life with your partner, but how to accept yourself.)

Here's the link: http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/intimacy/self_image.jsp

See what you think. It makes sense to me. Nothing happens overnight, so be patient with yourself and give yourself time. If you are in a loving relationship, communicate with your partner. This is vital. I've heard women say that husbands have left their wives after their diagnosis. I say if that's the case, then there were more holes in the relationship than either was willing or able to see. Someone who truly loves you will stand by you and, in all likelihood, not view your body with the close scrutiny you give it.

Yes, there's no denying that this is not an easy thing. But one thing I can say for sure is that in time, you will come to accept that not only has your body changed, but your mind has changed, too, and it is my hope, for all of us, that the two will come together to form a strong bond of love and acceptance. I don't know if positive thinking really does kick yourimmune system into gear—there have been many conflicting messages about this—but you know what?

It absolutely, without a doubt, cannot hurt.

Tips to find changes in your breast

If you notice a lump or detect a change in one of your breasts, either during a self-exam or by looking in the mirror, it's time to pay attention. "Any lump that is new and persistent, as well as progressive (growing in size) needs to be checked out and not dismissed as nothing," says Marisa Weiss, MD, president and founder of breastcancer.org. Some lumpiness may be normal, especially prior to your period, but you need to call it to your health care professional's attention. Even if your lump does not show up on a mammogram, you may still need further testing, such as a biopsy.

Be sure to call your health care professional for an appointment under these circumstances:

The breast lump:
—is new or feels unusual
—feels different from the breast tissue in either one of your breasts
—changes or grows larger

You notice:
—bloody or spontaneous discharge from your nipple
—skin changes on your breast, such as redness, crusting, dimpling or puckering
—an inverted nipple (turned inward) if it's not normally positioned this way

Here are some important questions to ask your health care professional:

1. What should I do to find out if the lump is cancerous?
2. Can you do a physical exam of my breasts and the lymph nodes in my armpits and neck?
3. Should I get a mammogram?
4. How about an MRI or an ultrasound?
5. Will I need a biopsy?
6. What does a biopsy involve?
7. How long will it take to get the results?
8. How will I obtain the results?
9. If all tests are negative but the lump is still there, do I still need a biopsy?
10. If the lump goes away and all the tests are clear, should I follow up with you more often than normal?

How to overcome the fear of Breast Cancer?

If you're scared that you will one day hear the words, "You have breast cancer," you've got plenty of company. Breast cancer is the most feared cancer among women. Sometimes, it's not just the word "cancer" that's at the root of the fear, but dread of issues associated with treating cancer, such as surgical complications and medication side effects. Perhaps you've been through a breast cancer diagnosis with someone close to you and know how difficult it can be.

While these are understandable fears, the danger is that some women are so overwhelmed with anxiety that they postpone screenings, such as breast exams and mammograms, or even skip them altogether for fear of bad news. Yet these are the very examinations that can help save lives by finding cancer early on, when it's most treatable.

Women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer face a different set of fears as they go through various stages of anxiety and acceptance. Many are in a state of denial at first. This can quickly turn to anger and a feeling that their world has been turned upside down. Some women wonder what they have done to deserve this and are unsure about the best road to recovery. Eventually, reality sets in and treatment begins, which is when many women feel better and more in control of their disease because they are actively fighting it.

Those who survive breast cancer struggle with the fear that their cancer might return. Every post-treatment checkup, mammogram and blood test is anxiety-ridden as she awaits the results.

The lowdown…don't let breast cancer blindside you

The reality is that as you age, your risk for developing breast cancer increases. Most of us know women who have battled breast cancer. Advances in methods of detection and treatments have transformed breast cancer from what had been considered a dreaded disease—what some perceived as a death sentence—to one that most women can and do beat. In fact, when breast cancer is found at its earliest, most treatable stage, a majority of women (98 percent) will go on to live full, healthy lives after treatment. So, it's important to keep up with recommended screenings and exams.

If you're 40 years or older, you should get a routine mammogram. In addition to the fear of getting a suspicious mammogram result, you may also be embarrassed to bare your breasts, or perhaps you'd rather avoid the discomfort that comes with positioning and squeezing the breast to take the image. But some temporary uneasiness and minor discomfort is a small price to pay if it means detecting breast cancer early.

If you're new to the task, ask the technician to explain what to expect. Be sure to find out when you can expect the results, so you aren't consumed with worry if you don't hear right away. If you are asked to come back and repeat the test, don't be alarmed. The film may have been difficult to read. If your doctor does notice something suspicious on your mammogram, he or she may order a biopsy to remove a sample of breast tissue and examine it for cancer. To put your mind at ease, consider that four out of five biopsies will not be cancer, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

It's also important for you to talk with your health care provider to learn about your personal risk of developing breast cancer so that you can decide how to stay on top of your breast health. While you're at it, ask about lung cancer and heart disease, too—these are the leading causes of death among women. And don't forget periodic breast self exams. Many women neglect doing these exams for fear of ending up in the doctor's office every month with a new lump and bump, but it's important that you get to know your breasts over time so you notice any changes.

Attitude and support eases anxiety

Having breast cancer is a difficult experience. You are probably worried about the road ahead, how your diagnosis will affect the important relationships in your life and your body image, as well as family and work obligations. Seeking emotional support and maintaining a positive attitude (as best you can) will help ease your anxieties.

Here are some tips:

• Practice the art of happiness. It may be easier said than done, but try not to get weighed down with grief and worry. Boost your spirits whenever you can by meeting a friend for lunch, writing (and referring to) inspirational messages in a journal or going for a walk in a park.
• Join a breast cancer support group where you can share your anxieties with other women who are going through the same thing and have similar concerns. If you feel more comfortable chatting with others from the comfort of your home, there are safe message boards at sites like Breastcancer.org.
• Don't be afraid to express your fears to your loved ones. You're not Superwoman, and it's OK to share the burden. For many women, the old adage "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" applies.
• Take a deep breath. If you notice that your mind is swirling with worry, try meditation or deep-breathing exercises.
• Ask questions. Your mind may get ahead of you at times, so ask questions to make sure you aren't worrying unnecessarily.
• Don't let cancer define you. You had a life before cancer, and there is life after, so don't lose sight of who you are. Stay connected to the people and activities that are important to you.

How to care your breasts naturally?

Herbs And Vitamins For Healthy Breasts 

There are a number of herbs and vitamins for healthy breasts that show promise in the prevention of breast cancer and fibrocystic breast disease (non-cancerous breast lumps).

Cancer of the breast is the leading cause of death for women in the US where it is estimated that 1 in 9 women will get breast cancer before she is 85.

The inclusion of herbs and vitamins for healthy breasts, accompanied by a wholesome nutritious diet and exercise are important factors in maintaining healthy breasts.

One of the main contributing factors to breast cancer seems to be hormonal imbalance in particular the hormone estrogen, which can promote abnormal tissue growth in breasts. However, there are a number of herbs that women can include in their diets which work to gently balance women's hormones and help in the promotion of healthy breasts.

Red Clover - This herb has been used by many different cultures in the treatment of cancer. Red clover contains isoflavones, a class of phytoestrogens that are structurally similar to estrogen.

In premenopausal women with normal estrogen levels, isoflavones have an anti-estrogen effect. In postmenopausal women with low estrogens, isoflavones act as weak estrogens.

Red Clover is also helpful in the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women which is related to declining estrogen levels.

Furthermore, Red Clover is useful for relieving menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, reduced libido, and vaginal dryness. It should be noted, however, that women who are pregnant and breastfeeding should avoid taking Red Clover.

Green Tea - Several studies have proven that Green Tea is beneficial in the reduction of solid tumor formation and the risk of breast cancers in women. In fact, preliminary research suggests that flavonoids found in green tea reduce the risk of several different kinds of cancers including prostate cancer, colon cancer, and gastric cancer.

A recent Japanese study explored the green tea's protection against breast cancer. It was found that women who consumed more green tea had a lower number of tumor growth. And, in a seven-year study it was found that women with stage I or II cancer who consumed five or more cups of green tea a day had approximately half the recurrence rate of those women who consumed four cups or less.

Turmeric - Because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties, Turmeric may be a useful herb for healthy breasts. The medicinal properties of Turmeric have for millennia been known to the ancient Indians and its medical properties have been expounded in the Ayurvedic texts.

A recent study involving mice has shown that Turmeric slows the spread of breast cancer into lungs and other body parts. Other studies have shown that turmeric can be effective in fighting a number of STDs including Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.

In addition to herbs, there are a number of vitamins for healthy breasts that should be included in the diet as well. Vitamin A (Beta Carotene) for example, has been cited in a number of studies as important to healthy breasts and breast cancer prevention. Additionally, it is useful for the reduction of fibrocystic breast disease.

Iodine, a mineral which is commonly found in sea vegetables such as kelp is another nutrient that has been shown to retard the growth of fibrocystic breast disease. Natural Breasts Care

How reduce breast cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 213,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in American women last year. The good news is that there are several strategies that can help reduce the risk.

Consider the following lifestyle changes:

Stay physically active. Regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes 4-5 days a week) has been shown to protect against breast cancer.

Limit alcohol. There is a strong link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. The type of alcohol consumed appears to make no difference. To help protect against breast cancer, limit alcohol to less than one drink a day or avoid alcohol altogether.

Maintain your health care. Early detection is key: in addition to monthly self examinations, women between ages 20 and 39 should have a clinical breast exam performed by a health care professional at least every three years; women 40 years of age or older should have annual breast exams and mammograms.

Supplement wisely. vitamin D, folic acid and antioxidants all may help decrease risk.

Reduce exposure to xenoestrogens. These chemicals with estrogen-like activity are found in common pesticides and industrial pollutants and as hormone residues in meat, poultry and dairy products.

Avoid exposure to radiation. Limiting the number of chest x-rays, especially at a young age, may decrease the risk of breast cancer.

Talk to your doctor. If you have close relatives with breast cancer, your personal risk is increased. Let your doctor know your family history, and discuss other ways you can help to prevent breast cancer.

Do you want beaautiful breasts or perfect breasts

The distinct curve of the female breasts, their sensitivity to touch, and their role in suckling infants give them an aesthetic and a functionality that are distinctly feminin. The female breast is a visible, tangible and beautiful feature of the female body.

A great deal of sensual appeal centers on the female breast. Women tend to view their breasts through the reflection of their desirability to men.

Men's magazines such as Playboy and FHM shape cultural attitudes about the desirable appearance of the breast. These magazine covers feature women with large breasts and slim figure.

Women's magazines reinforce this view. Cosmopolitan, Chatelaine, Self, Essence, Jane and other women's magazines regularly feature articles about ways to build and tone the breast, promising readers that they will therefore be able to better attract the opposite sex and have a more active social life.

The perfect breasts are considered round, positioned high on the chest, large and firm. If breasts are large, their weight tends to pull them down, resulting in neck and back discomfort. If they are large and round they will tend to droop and not be firm. The reality is that women's breasts sag with childbirth and age, which is unavoidable.

Women tend to perceive their own breasts as smaller than an ideal breast size they expect is preferred by men.

If women are obsessed about their breast size and shape to the extent of surgery, men aren't doing any better. For many men female breasts are a source of fascination and fantasy. They get inspired from looking at pictures where they see cleavage, where breasts are enticingly almost visible, yet hidden.

There are few men who are not fascinated by the twin visual attractions which women carry before them and which they display with varying degrees of boldness or coyness.

Men's main interest seems to be in the breast shape. A closer look at well developed and beautiful female breasts reveals them to be be finely balanced, with the tissue tension precisely matching the weight so that they have both a beautiful form and mobility, similar with a work of art.

Another appeal of the female breast is its infinite variety. Many small women have big breasts while some big women are endowed in inverse proportion to their size. The same is true of nipples - some are big, others are minuscule, the variety seemingly neverending. Perhaps it is this mystery of the breast that men find so appealing ... what shape is it exactly?

Women are very clever at giving visual clues, often revealing a mesmerizing swelling and leaving the admirer's imagination to mentally picture the rest.

Those who have not resorted to hormone treatment or breast implants can still achieve something of this effect by forcing up the flesh of their small breasts to give a hint of cleavage.

And, of course, the final attraction of the female breast is tactile. Most men find the desire to touch them almost overwhelming...

The warm softness, the eager response of the nipples springing to attention when touched, the trembling of the woman's body and the look of contentment as she closes her eyes in rapture... these drive many men crazy ... and many women to seek out breast augmentation

Do you want beaautiful breasts or perfect breasts

The distinct curve of the female breasts, their sensitivity to touch, and their role in suckling infants give them an aesthetic and a functionality that are distinctly feminin. The female breast is a visible, tangible and beautiful feature of the female body.

A great deal of sensual appeal centers on the female breast. Women tend to view their breasts through the reflection of their desirability to men.

Men's magazines such as Playboy and FHM shape cultural attitudes about the desirable appearance of the breast. These magazine covers feature women with large breasts and slim figure.

Women's magazines reinforce this view. Cosmopolitan, Chatelaine, Self, Essence, Jane and other women's magazines regularly feature articles about ways to build and tone the breast, promising readers that they will therefore be able to better attract the opposite sex and have a more active social life.

The perfect breasts are considered round, positioned high on the chest, large and firm. If breasts are large, their weight tends to pull them down, resulting in neck and back discomfort. If they are large and round they will tend to droop and not be firm. The reality is that women's breasts sag with childbirth and age, which is unavoidable.

Women tend to perceive their own breasts as smaller than an ideal breast size they expect is preferred by men.

If women are obsessed about their breast size and shape to the extent of surgery, men aren't doing any better. For many men female breasts are a source of fascination and fantasy. They get inspired from looking at pictures where they see cleavage, where breasts are enticingly almost visible, yet hidden.

There are few men who are not fascinated by the twin visual attractions which women carry before them and which they display with varying degrees of boldness or coyness.

Men's main interest seems to be in the breast shape. A closer look at well developed and beautiful female breasts reveals them to be be finely balanced, with the tissue tension precisely matching the weight so that they have both a beautiful form and mobility, similar with a work of art.

Another appeal of the female breast is its infinite variety. Many small women have big breasts while some big women are endowed in inverse proportion to their size. The same is true of nipples - some are big, others are minuscule, the variety seemingly neverending. Perhaps it is this mystery of the breast that men find so appealing ... what shape is it exactly?

Women are very clever at giving visual clues, often revealing a mesmerizing swelling and leaving the admirer's imagination to mentally picture the rest.

Those who have not resorted to hormone treatment or breast implants can still achieve something of this effect by forcing up the flesh of their small breasts to give a hint of cleavage.

And, of course, the final attraction of the female breast is tactile. Most men find the desire to touch them almost overwhelming...

The warm softness, the eager response of the nipples springing to attention when touched, the trembling of the woman's body and the look of contentment as she closes her eyes in rapture... these drive many men crazy ... and many women to seek out breast augmentation