Even breasts are uncommon, but very few notice and talk about it. In 2013, American actor Jennifer Lawrence openly spoke about her asymmetric breasts. “I just went to the doctor and got a chest X-ray of my lungs done, and discovered that my breasts are uneven!” Dr Reshma Purella, oncologist at Medicover Hospitals, Hyderabad, says, “In fact, it is rare for women to have perfectly symmetrical breasts.”
While self-examining their breasts, many women may wonder why one breast appears slightly different from the other. From puberty and pregnancy to genetics, there are several reasons why breasts may differ in shape, size, position, volume and form.
Dr Anitha Kunnaiah, senior obstetrician and gynecologist at Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, says that more than half of all women have asymmetrical breasts which is usually not a matter of concern.
Causes of asymmetrical breasts
Dr Kunnaiah says that there are several medical reasons for uneven breasts among women such as:
- Pregnancy
With breastfeeding, breasts may grow bigger and can appear uneven. “Changes in hormones also have an impact. Breasts may not be the same size or shape throughout breastfeeding. One breast may produce more milk than the other, resulting in size differences,” says Dr Kunnaiah. “This is particularly true if your infant prefers to nurse on one side.”
- Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH)
This condition affects breast tissue cells. Milk ducts, the thin tubes that carry milk from the breast tissue to the nipple, expand too much, which can result in benign breast lumps that can impact how the breast looks. “Although ADH is not cancer, it may make you more likely to get the disease in the future. The duct has more breast cells lining it than usual in this situation. These abnormal cells come in a variety of sizes and shapes,” says Dr Kunnaiah.
- Hypoplastic breasts
In this congenital condition, the breasts are underdeveloped and may appear tiny, thin, widely spread or uneven.
- Juvenile hypertrophy
This rare condition affects adolescent girls, where one breast develops significantly more than the other.
- Injury or trauma
Physical injury or trauma to the breast can cause tissue damage or affect breast development. In some cases, surgeries or medical treatments involving the breasts can result in asymmetry, says Dr Purella.
Uneven breasts: Not just a cosmetic concern
Dr Purella says that some benign or malignant tumours in the breast such as fibroadenomas or cysts can cause breast asymmetry. “These growths can change the size, shape, or position of the breast,” she says.
Dr Nita Nair, surgical oncologist at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, says that if any asymmetry in the sizes of breasts is noticed, the doctor must be informed as it demands evaluation. She adds that any evaluation of the breasts includes a clinical evaluation and age-appropriate tests: an ultrasound for girls or a mammogram in the case of older women.
The ultrasound is recommended to understand the asymmetry of size; and if something is noticed in the results, doctors may also recommend a biopsy, Dr Nair says.
Dr Kunnaiah says, “Scientists are discovering that having uneven breasts may increase your risk of developing breast cancer. According to a 2015 study, breast cancer risk was higher in women whose breasts had a 20% difference in size. It is still entirely unknown how breast asymmetry affects breast cancer risk. To investigate the connection, more study is necessary,” she says.
Changes in breasts: When to meet a doctor
Dr Purella recommends consulting a doctor if you notice any sudden or significant change in breast size, shape or texture or consistent pain or discomfort in one breast compared to the other. The following changes must not be ignored, she says:
- Changes in nipple size
- Variation in nipple shape
- Change in nipple colour
- Any nipple discharge, particularly if it occurs in only one breast.
“When concerns about asymmetrical breasts are purely cosmetic, an individual must take a call on whether to correct it or not,” says Dr Nair.
Before any surgical procedure of the breasts due to cosmetic concerns, doctors evaluate and rule out any abnormal mass in the breasts.
Takeaways
Asymmetrical breasts or uneven breasts are common among women and are usually not a cause for concern. Reasons for uneven breasts can range from puberty, pregnancy and breastfeeding to genetics.
Inform your doctor as soon as you notice any sudden or significant changes in the size, shape or appearance of either breast.
