Determinants of breast size in Asian women

Abstract

Breast size as a risk factor of breast cancer has been studied extensively with inconclusive results. Here we examined the associations between breast size and breast cancer risk factors in 24,353 Asian women aged 50 to 64 years old enrolled in a nationwide mammography screening project conducted between October 1994 and February 1997. Information on demographic and reproductive factors was obtained via a questionnaire. Breast size was ascertained as bust line measured at study recruitment and total breast area measured from a mammogram. The average bust line and total breast area was 91.2 cm and 102.3 cm2, respectively. The two breast measurements were moderately correlated (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.65). Age, BMI, marital and working status were independently associated with bust line and total breast area. In the multivariable analyses, the most pronounced effects were observed for BMI (24.2 cm difference in bust line and 39.4 cm2 in breast area comparing women with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 to BMI <20 kg/m2). Ethnicity was a positive predictor for total breast area, but not bust line.

Measuring height and weight as part of routine mammographic screening for breast cancer

“…Women who did not participate had significantly larger breast size compared with those who did participate. Total breast size has been shown to be positively correlated with BMI, 13,14 suggesting that heavier women are less likely to volunteer to have their height and weight measured as part of routine screening mammography. Feedback from the small proportion of women who provided comment was largely positive, with over 40% of those 242 who commented being happy to have their height and weight measured.…”

Does the protocol-required uniform margin around the CTV adequately account for setup inaccuracies in whole breast irradiation?

“…The breast sizes in mammography were reported to be 168.4 cm 2 in African-American women and 121.7 cm 2 in white women [ 30 ]. However, in Asian women, the average breast size was 102.3 cm 2 in mammography [ 31 ]. Due to the great difference in BMI and breast size between Asian and American or European women, the RTOG recommended PTV margins might not be completely appropriate for Asian populations.…”

Changes of Cardiopulmonary and Metabolic Functions during Jogging with and without Breast Supports: a randomized controlled trial

“…Similar to other Asian women, Thai female adolescents determine the smaller bra sizes with various styles [27]. It was notified that wearing an inappropriate breast support for many hours a day is possibly associated with increased risk of breast cancer [28].…”