Women with large breasts have a higher incidence of breast cancer compared to those with an average sized chest, according to new research.
Researchers at the University of Western Australia and BreastScreen WA analysed data from almost 760,000 women aged 40 to 70 - 55,000 had big breasts.
Large breasts were defined as those that required bigger mammogram film cassettes. Standard cassettes measure 18 by 24cm while bigger ones are 24 by 30cm.
Women whose breasts had been surgically enlarged or reduced and those with a previous diagnosis of breast or ovarian cancer were not included in the study.
Researchers said women with larger breasts were more likely to suffer from the disease because there is more tissue available for neoplastic change and/or because larger breasts cause increased oestrogen levels. As women age, a larger proportion of them have larger breasts.
