Breast Asymmetry and Breast Cancer Risk
Author Information
Author(s): Scutt Diane, Lancaster Gillian A, Manning John T
Primary Institution: University of Liverpool
Hypothesis
Is breast asymmetry greater in women who later develop breast cancer compared to those who remain disease-free?
Conclusion
Breast asymmetry was greater in healthy women who later developed breast cancer than in women who did not.
Supporting Evidence
- Women who developed breast cancer had higher breast asymmetry than controls.
- Breast asymmetry was found to be a significant predictor of breast cancer.
- Family history and age at menarche also differed significantly between the two groups.
Takeaway
Women with uneven breasts might be more likely to get breast cancer later on. This study looked at how breast shape can help predict cancer risk.
Methodology
The study compared breast asymmetry in 252 women who developed breast cancer with 252 age-matched healthy controls using mammograms.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the selection of controls and the reliance on self-reported risk factors.
Limitations
The study is retrospective and relies on historical data from mammograms taken between 1979 and 1986.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 252 women who developed breast cancer and 252 age-matched controls, with a mean age at diagnosis of 55.20 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.010
Confidence Interval
1.10, 2.04
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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