Scientists found that women with asymmetrical breasts have a higher risk of developing cancer. The teams of researchers from the University of Liverpool in England compared mammograms of 252 women who later developed cancer to the same number of mammograms of women who remained healthy.

Results showed that for every 100ml increase in breast asymmetry, the risk of developing cancer went up 50%. "Asymmetrical breasts could prove to be reliable indicators of future breast disease in women and this factor should be considered in a woman's risk profile," said the report.

Generally, humans show bilateral symmetry, the two halves of the body being basically symmetrical. This symmetry can be disturbed by things like as uneven secretion of hormones. Symmetry, as studies have shown, is of a great importance for people, symmetrical individuals being considered more attractive.

Dr Diane Scutt, lead researcher of the study, said that every woman had more or less asymmetrical breasts; only one who took part in the study had perfectly symmetrical breasts. "Breast asymmetry should not be considered in isolation, it is important to consider a woman's entire risk profile before assessing her breast cancer risk," she added.

Maria Leadbeater, from a charity dedicated to helping breast cancer victims, said the results are inconclusive and more research is needed. "There are many causes of breast asymmetry, and for many women having slightly different shaped breasts is perfectly normal.
However, if your breasts are normally close in size and you notice them becoming asymmetrical it is important to get this change checked out with your doctor," she asserted.