I've read on the internet about 'Vanity' breast enhancement pills. I want to know if it is safe to take them. Can they cause breast cancer?
Many different internet companies advertise breast enhancement pills. Most of them claim that by taking their 'natural' product you can increase your breast size by one to two inches (2 to 3 cup sizes) in just 90 days.
These herbal tablets contain chemicals called phyto-oestrogens. The companies selling these products claim that these chemicals will stimulate the oestrogen receptors in your breast tissue and permanently enlarge your breast size. Phyto-oestrogens are chemicals found in plant foods (phyto means 'plant'). They are similar in structure to the female sex hormone oestrogen.
The tablets are supposed to work by 'tricking' your breasts into believing that you are pregnant. This means that the pills stimulate the production of oestrogen in your body in the same way that oestrogen is produced during pregnancy. The idea is that your breasts will enlarge in the same way as they would if you were pregnant. But the manufacturers say that you won't produce milk and unlike that of pregnancy, the enlargement is supposed to be 85 to 90% permanent.
What natural herbs do breast enhancement pills contain?
Herbal medicine is the use of plants or mixtures of plant extracts in the treatment or prevention of disease. This includes all parts of the plant, the leaves, stalks and roots. Each part can differ in strength and effects. You need to be careful with herbal medicines, as with any medicine. Just because a product is called 'natural' or 'herbal', doesn't necessarily mean that it is always safe to use.
Many modern drugs were originally made from plants. The effect they have depends on the chemicals in the plant, how they work in the body and on how the product is made by the manufacturer.
The combination of herbs in breast enhancement pills seems to vary depending on the company selling them.
Scientific studies looking into herbal products are increasing and many of the herbs listed above have been individually researched. But we don't know of any published clinical trials that have studied a combination of all these herbs. How herbs may interact with each other and with any existing medication that you may be taking, can be a cause for concern. We just don't know enough about this yet.
Herbs and dietary supplements are starting to be regulated in the UK. But at the moment it is still difficult to find out if the dose and potency of ingredients in herbal remedies are within safe and acceptable limits. You can find out more about the safety of herbal medicines in our section on complementary and alternative therapies. And the following link will take you to an American cancer website with information on most of the individual herbs in the above list.
What research has been done into breast enhancement pills?
The Department of Health Care Sciences at George Washington University School of Medicine, in America have done some research into this. They published a paper in 2003 called "Bust enhancing herbal products".
They say that several herbs in breast enhancement tablets do actively work on your hormones. But they don't recommend using them because we can't be certain that they are safe or that they work as breast enhancers.
The effect of phyto-oestrogens on breast tissue isn't really clear. Some early research suggested that women with diets high in phyto-oestrogens have a lower risk of breast cancer. A joint study, reported in July 2002 by Cancer Research UK, the National Cancer Institute of the USA and the National University of Singapore, found that women with a soya-rich diet had breast tissue that was less dense than women with low soya diets.
Higher density of breast tissue has been linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. This is the first study to directly link eating soya with an effect on breast tissue. Another recent study found breast cancer risk was lower in women who consumed miso regularly. Miso is made of steamed soya beans, then mixed with salt and other fermenting agents.
Not all studies into breast cancer risk have found that phyto-oestrogens have any effect, so we can't be completely sure about this yet. Some researchers are concerned that these foods may stimulate the growth of human breast cancer cells.
You may want to look at information about risk factors for breast cancer, including hormones.
Because we don't know enough about the long term safety and effectiveness of breast enhancement pills we don't recommend that you use them. Many of the companies who promote their use say that for women with small breasts, enlarging them will
* Boost your confidence
* Improve your self esteem
* Give you a fuller life!
* Regain the attention you deserve
* Help you fill out swimsuits and bras
* Put you in control of your body
* Make you the envy of all eyes!
These are all direct quotes from websites selling breast enhancement products.
We find this information very disturbing and misleading. Many women with small breasts have very fulfilling lives and don't suffer low self esteem! Although we live in a society that seems to suggest that, 'bigger breasts are better', it isn't necessarily true. Before you decide to take these pills we would strongly advise you to read all the information here. If you are still not sure then seeing your GP for advice may help.
Author Resource:-
Adrien Brody is a business writer specializing in health and beauty products and has written authoritative articles on the industry. To learn more about breast enhancement, make sure you visit http://curvesenhancement.com
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