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Genes that determine your breast size can also help you detect your breast cancer risk. | Source
Buying bras is already annoying to begin with, but it’s even more of a chore when your breast size is changing–what fits you now may have to get tossed next year when your cup size increases. Luckily for us, though, scientists have narrowed down precisely what genetic factors determine your breast size, so you’ll know what you’re in for later.
Doctors have found seven genetic markers for breast size, and–health bonus!–two of the genetic markers for breast size also can help determine a gal’s risk for breast cancer later on. Doctors conducted a survey of a little over 16,000 women, comparing their breast size (through their cup and band size of their bras) to their genetic profiles. Everyone has their own unique breast size, shape, and structure, and before we go any further, we want to reiterate–your boobs are probably awesome. No, seriously!
It’s been known for a while that breast size generally runs in families–if most of your female relatives are D cups, don’t expect to be inducted into the Itty Bitty Titty Committee–this is the first study that actually looks at which genes are behind breast size specifically, and takes a look at how differences in breast size, shape, and structure can affect your health.
There have been a few studies somewhat recently that linked large breast size in lean women to a heightened breast cancer risk, but this study doesn’t necessarily support or refute those claims. In fact, the makers said the research is way too preliminary to be taken too seriously, and that one of the biggest factors in breast cancer risk isn’t breast size, but actually obesity. Additionally, breast density is more of a likely factor than breast size in determining breast cancer risk, though docs and scientists aren’t really sure why just yet.
The study does, however, make it easier to pinpoint variations in breast size and structure to make comparisons and studies of breast size in relation to breast cancer more accurate later on–and since the risk increases as we get older, maybe by the time we’re really at risk, there will be a ton of more ways to prevent and treat it. Rad thought, right?
And bonus: the study may make trips to the lingerie shop a little easier since you can buy ahead of your current breast size if you suspect you’ll grow some more!
Do you think your breast size affects your health? Would you want to find out how big your breasts will grow? Have you ever been tempted to change your breast size? Tell us in the comments!
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I have (unintentionally) lost a stone in weight since last August, and with it my boobs went from a 36C to a 34D. But I’m happier. Apparently, a D or DD is the cup size guys like best? But apparently overall boob size guys like best is like a 32DD. Which would mean you’d have to be REALLY skinny (27 inch rib cage, which would mean like a 24 inch waist) Ouch.
My dad’s side are all fat, so they have huge boobs and my mom’s side are fat too and they have huge boobs! my mom is a 36c and i am a little 32b:/ they say oh your a b! but they look tiny -.- oh well ima keep working out ^.^
I’m 13 very nearly 14 and going into year 9, but i’m only a 32 A Bust and have been since my breasts started growing, was i early starting growing breasts because the started when i was 5, need to know thank you, from amber xxxxx <3
I’m recently 20 and wearing a 32H, which doesn’t fit right in the band. I’ve got a 30HH on the way from England, because apparently the only place to make big cups on small bands is Europe, and that should fit better.
As far as breasts go, mine just barely started near the end of fifth grade, when I was 10. They burst into growth when I was 12, so much that I was in a (missized by Victoria’s Secret) 34C by the end of eighth grade. I went from that to a 32DD in tenth grade, and I’ve pretty much gone up a cup size every year since then.
There’s nothing wrong with big boobs in and of themselves, but the main problem I have is with posture and slouching. It’s the biggest part of why I have back issues.
Right now I’m about a 32B and I’m completely happy and content with my size, but I’m terrified that they’re gonna grow to be huge, because literally EVERY single female in my family on BOTH sides have huge boobs. My sisters wear a G and K respectively, my mom’s a triple D and my aunt who has a problem with her thyroid that is supposed to make her really skinny is a DD (like 50% of her weight is in her boobs)
I wear a 40H, which I HATE! Technically, I should wear a 38I but Lane Bryant (the ONLY store I can buy from) doesn’t carry that size, so the 40H does ok. I have always had very large breasts! I had to wear a bra in 2nd grade! Even when I lost weight & got down REALLY skinny, I was wearing a size small clothes & a borderline C/D cup bra! I HATE the size of my boobs!
I have a TON of health problems (like worse health than most 100 year-olds, including several “old people” problems) and it includes back problems! Although they don’t think my breasts caused my back problems, they certainly do NOT help! Also, my breasts are always sore, sometimes cramp, have several cysts grow on the under side of them, & always cause a lot of sweat!
My mom has large breasts (around the same size as mine, though proportionally a bit smaller) & my great aunt (my mom’s mom’s sister) wears a 38G, so it’s definitely in the family! My mom had a lump (non-cancerous) removed in 2003 & has had recurrent infections since (We think the Dr. used poor hygiene!) and my aunt (the 38G one) had breast cancer. Between my horrible health, my ginormo boobs, & family history, it is quite scary!
omg im almost 16 and im already a 36DD, it looks like they’re still growing! do have any idea how hard it is to find that size, much less a 36DDD??!?!?!?
I know what you mean! I wear a 40H or 38I & can only find 1 style of bra in 1 store! I found some catalogs that have large sizes that are hard to find (DDD-K or L), along with smaller sizes. Try Woman Within, Just My Size, Lane Bryant, & Roaman’s. They have catalogs & websites for all of these!
um my breast lol are small but im african american and i was wondering wen will they very grow
NOOOOO. IMMA CRY IF MY BOOBS GROW. I’m 15, and everyone on my mom’s side have like big boobs, but they got them when they were like 9. I have like…no boobs. lol. and I want to keep it this way :’(
I really don’t know about my dads side of the family, but my mom… Hers are so small but mine are well big I guess. Like seriously I think they are bigger than my mom’s! And I’m 13! But I do hope they get kinda bigger…
Well, you should be kind of thankful. I’m almost 18 and i still wear 32A. It sucks when i’m in bikini or loving clothes which won’t fit on me or be good on me because of my breasts size.
What if your boobs are small?
I’m a 36DD and I’m almost 16. If they grow any bigger, I’ll be pissed. My Mom’s a DD and I think my Memaw is an F?? I really hope I’m done growing and I get so frustrated that boys don’t see me as a person, they see my breasts. :/
I feel the same way, I’m 14 and wear a 32DD and guys never see me for me all they see and care about are my breasts. Nobody in my family has big breasts but mine keep growing and I hate it.
Everybody in my family varies a lot in everything so its harder for someone like me to know what i may look like or my breast size when im older but so far ive developed really fast compared to everyone else! intresting theory though
i have i always wanted to know how i would feel to have big boobs.
Im kiara my bresth is too small wat im going to do? I dont want a surgery
We have the same name
i dont have any boobs. Maby just teeny ones but i want them at least to gorw a wee bit more!!!
I would love to know how big my boos are going to grow! Then I could avoid buying an expensive bra that won’t fit me after they grow.
okayyyy so why does every girl in my fam and my mother have c cups and over except me then lol -_- cmon now im 16 with only a b cup lol haha jk jk jk interesting study study though
don’t worry, you will grow in 3 years haha i was the same (b at 16) and now i am a c
and once you have kids? everyone know they grow alot!
My dads side of the family either has teeny weeny boobies or giant falling-out-of-shirt boobs. And same with my moms side. Will I be stuck in the middle or end up falling to one side?
I have breasts that have bounced between B and DD cups! I recently had reconstructive spinal surgery, and because of my family’s arthritis, I will probably get it in my back. If so, I plan to downsize my big knockers as I always wanted to, but never had a good excuse to!
Why not say that you might develop back problems later on as an excuse?