Breast Asymmetry and Cancer Risk

There has been some talk in the news lately concerning the likelihood of predicting breast cancer risk based on the asymmetry between a woman’s right and left breast. According to an online article few women have perfectly symmetrical breast, thoroughly research from the UK suggest that the greater the difference in size, the were more likely the risk factor for breast cancer. In a study published in the Journal Breast Cancer Research researchers shared a report that stated each 3.38 ounce increase in breast asymmetry when measured by mammography garnered a predictable 50% increase in breast cancer risk. In the study the average breast size of the 500 and for women who participated in the study was 16.9 ounces and the average asymmetry was 1.7 ounces to 2.03 ounces as reported by one of the study researchers. Only one woman who participate in the study had breast that were exactly symmetrical. Colleagues also studied mammograms from 252 women were cancer free at the time of the mammogram but later develop the disease. An equal number of women with normal mammograms for women who had not developed breast cancer were also studied. The finding was that women who later developed breast cancer had a greater asymmetry than those women who did not develop breast cancer. Researchers hope to confirm the findings by examining mammograms from a much larger sampling of patients. If breast asymmetry is found to be a factor in breast cancer risk it may be due to estrogen. Based on previous studies it appears as though asymmetry is linked to estrogen but more study would need to be performed to determine the significance. Most medical professionals agree that breast asymmetry is not likely to be included as a risk factor anytime soon. Breast asymmetry is one of the common reasons patients choose breast augmentation. Dr. Seify helps patients to understand that rarely are to breast perfectly symmetrical. Adding breast implant either silicone or saline will not make breast perfectly symmetrical. The goal is to obtain a more aesthetically pleasing breast shape that is proportionate with the patient’s body. It is not uncommon for patients to seek breast augmentation following pregnancy. In some cases breast-feeding or the pregnancy itself could contribute to a woman’s breast asymmetry. Patients who are having breast augmentation following pregnancy are likely to combine the procedure with an abdominoplasty and or liposuction. Dr. Seify encourages patients to are concerned about asymmetry with their breast or their post-pregnancy body shape to contact his office and schedule a consultation.