MINNEAPOLIS — It may seem like an unusual question to study, but according to a report published by the journal Nature, data shows cancer occurs in the left breast at a slightly higher rate than the right.
The National Cancer Institute SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) program checked the records of 881,000 patients. Cancer cases in the left breast were 50.8% verses 49.2% for the right.
Why? An expert with MD Anderson Center says there could be a few explanations. One involves the fact that more people are righthanded. The fingertips on righthanded people are usually more sensitive and that means they’d be more likely to detect lumps or bumps in the left breast during a self-exam.
Another possible explanation, according to MD Anderson Center is that breasts are usually asymmetrical. Left breasts tend to be slightly larger than the right, so more tissue may translate into more cancer.
Yet another rationale involves breastfeeding. Since more people are righthanded, women who breastfeed are more likely to hold their infant in their right arm for a majority of time during feeding. That could result in the right breast being more completely drained during feeding.
MD Anderson emphasizes that these are hypothetical explanations. Interesting, yes, but not conclusive.
Time for a breast self-exam
On the 11th of each month, Buddy Check 11 Day, Health Fair 11 reminds you to check yourself for signs of cancer.
Make time each month to do a breast self-exam (BSE). Use your fingertips to feel for lumps, bumps, thickenings, puckering, or rashes. Click here for a video on how to properly do a BSE. It was produced by the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
If you notice anything out of the ordinary, pick up your phone and schedule an appointment with a medical expert to get a professional evaluation.
While you have your phone out, call/text/email/ a “Buddy” and encourage them to do their own self-exam. When you both do regular self-exams, you’re more likely to notice if something has changed in your body.
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