Breast Size Doesn’t Increase Breast Cancer Risk: Insights From A Breast Cancer Expert

There is a common belief that larger breast size automatically increases the risk of breast cancer, but this is not true. Breast size alone is not a risk factor for breast cancer; rather, it’s the composition of the breast tissue that matters. The key question is why the breast size has increased—whether due to fat deposition or glandular tissue growth. Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi shares all you need to know.

Breast enlargement can occur for two main reasons: fat deposition or glandular hypertrophy. Glandular hypertrophy refers to the increase in the size of breast glands. In younger women, larger breasts are often the result of glandular hypertrophy, while in older women, an increase in breast size is more likely to be due to fat accumulation. This distinction is crucial because only glandular hypertrophy, where the breast tissue itself increases in size, is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. On the other hand, if the increase in breast size is due to fat, there is no direct link to breast cancer risk.

For women considering breast reduction or cosmetic surgery to address increased breast size, it is important to undergo a mammogram before the procedure. A mammogram can help determine whether the increased breast size is due to fat or glandular hypertrophy. If it is the latter, then the surgery may have a preventive benefit as well, by reducing the amount of glandular tissue that could potentially develop into breast cancer.

This is particularly important for younger women with larger breasts due to glandular hypertrophy. While larger breasts can be a cosmetic concern for some, understanding that a reduction surgery could also lower breast cancer risk makes it a potentially health-conscious decision.

Breast size alone does not determine breast cancer risk. What matters is the underlying cause of the enlargement. By understanding the difference between fat accumulation and glandular hypertrophy, women can take informed steps to manage their breast health and make decisions that may even reduce their cancer risk.