October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and breast cancer has affected every person in Australia in some way or another. The statistics are shocking, and it’s why we are so passionate about breast massage at Yinn Body.
If you haven’t experienced Breast Cancer yourself, either a family member or someone you know has. (Your best friend's mum, a colleague, teacher at school etc).
One in 7 females in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer every year - and over 3200 deaths. It’s devastating to say that according to research from Cancer Australia, that number is anticipated to rise by 1000 people each year.
Whether you are male or female reading this article, please encourage all females to engage in regular breast massage, and males, you’re not out of the woods. While breast cancer in men isn’t as common, it’s certainly not unheard of. Last year 37 men in Australia passed away from breast cancer.
We love boobies at Yinn Body, so here are 5 benefits to breast massage - P.S We recommend our Yinn Body Oil. It’s so luxurious, deeply hydrating and 100% Australian made and organic - we only put good things on our bodies.
1. Deep Self Connection
Our breasts are an extension of the heart, and directly linked to the heart chakra. When we are regularly engaging in breast massage we are cracking our hearts open, connecting to our emotions, allowing that heart energy centre to flow beautifully and it deepens the relationship that we have to ourselves.
When we deepen the connection to self, we have more internal confidence, we trust ourselves, we know ourselves on a deeper level.
Allowing ourselves to open up and express our emotions rather than suppressing them and burying them, creates an energetic expansiveness that is magnetic to the world around you.
2. Detoxification
Our breasts hold a lot of our bodies toxins. Breast and chest massage promotes the healthy flow of the lymphatic drainage system, boosting your immunity and general health and wellbeing. Caging our breasts in bras all day has an impact on our circulatory system *around our heart* and the lymphatic drainage system.
3. Checking for lumps and bumps
This had to be mentioned of course! Getting to know your breasts is essential so when and if there is any abnormality, you are able to identify it immediately. The reality is, most cancers are discovered too late, so if heaven forbid you find yourself in a situation with breast cancer, hopefully your self awareness will be enough to catch it early.
If you are “too young” for breast cancer and find an irregularity in your breasts and you feel your doctor isn’t taking you seriously, please seek second & third opinions without hesitation. This is a common occurrence leading to many deaths in women under 40 with undiagnosed breast cancer (or diagnosed too late).
How can you tell if it's a lump or just breast tissue?
Breast tissue itself can feel somewhat lumpy and sponge like, so it can be hard to know if what you're feeling is an actual lump or breast tissue.
A breast lump will feel like a distinct mass thats noticeably more solid than the rest of your breast tissue.
- source houstonmethodist.org
4. Improving body image
Breasts are often over sexualised and objectified which leads women to want to cover up, hide and minimise them (whether they are big or small). Regardless of size, most women have an unhappy connection to their breasts.
Regular breast massage promotes body acceptance and even love! Feeling comfortable with they way your breasts look and feel, the size and colour of your nipples, appreciating them, honouring them, treating them with respect and reverence.
5. Nipple Re-sensitisation
Nipples lose their sensitivity for a variety of reasons, breastfeeding, age, medication, breast cancer/mastectomy, breast augmentation surgery. Regular breast massage can re-sensitise the nipples, rebuilding the many nerve endings increasing arousal from nipple stimulation.
More than that, when our nipples are desensitised, there is less blood flow to the area causing nipples to change colour, change shape and make them less erect when cold or turned on. Regular breast massage boosts circulation, stimulates nerve endings and promotes arousal from nipple & breast stimulation.
In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we would love you to consider this…
What is your relationship with your breasts?
How did you feel about your breasts as you were growing up & developing?
Have you ever experienced shame around your breasts for whatever reason?