Big breasts likelier to invite cancer

Melbourne, July 25 (ANI): Women with larger breasts are more likely to develop breast cancer, say researchers.

A study by researchers at The University of Western Australia and BreastScreen WA found a higher cancer incidence in women with large breasts than those with average-sized breasts, the Herald Sun reported.

UWA Clinical Associate Professor Liz Wylie said the study highlighted the importance of regular mammograms for all women, but particularly those with large breasts.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Australian women and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths.

Researchers said women are more likely to develop breast cancer if they have large breasts because there is more tissue available for neoplastic change or because larger breasts cause increased oestrogen levels. Also, as women age, a larger proportion of them have larger breasts.

The study, published by the journal Elsevier, analysed data from almost 760,000 women aged from 40 to over 70 - of whom about 55,000 had large breasts.

Large breasts were defined as those that required bigger mammogram film cassettes. Standard cassettes measure 18 x 24cm while bigger ones are 24 x 30cm.

Associate Professor Wylie said the study was noteworthy because Australia was facing an obesity epidemic and an increased body mass index is associated with a higher risk of developing post-menopausal breast cancer. (ANI)