How normal is it for one collarbone (clavicle) to stick out more than the other?
What actually causes this and can cancer be a potential cause?
“Clavicles are generally symmetrical, but asymmetry is not necessarily something to worry about,” says J. Mark Anderson, MD, DABFM, of Executive Medicine of Texas and who is board certified in family medicine.
“Many people are born with one side more pronounced than the other,” continues Dr. Anderson, who is board certified in internal medicine.
Some Considerationsancer
Look at the collarbones of other people — coworkers, family members, people you pass on the street and those on TV shows or in your favorite magazines.
It won’t be too long before you spot a woman wearing a low collar whose clavicles are clearly uneven:
One juts out more than the other. You might even be able to spot this in women’s magazines.
Another point to consider is body fat. The symmetry — or lack thereof — of the clavicles will be more obvious in those with lean bodies.cancer
If you’ve noticed that the end of one of your collarbones pokes out more than the other, ask yourself if a low body fat level might be making things seem more pronounced than they actually are.
Have you lost weight recently? If so, has this coincided with a more noticeable asymmetry of your collarbones?
When to See a Doctor cancer
“If your clavicle is red, hot or has a [new-onset] noticeable bump, it should be looked at by your healthcare provider,” says Dr. Anderson.
“These symptoms are most likely caused by infection. Cancer is unlikely.
“Clavicle injuries are common and can cause one side to look abnormal, but normally, clavicle injuries are painful and easily recognized at the time of injury.
“An injured clavicle often heals with immobilization, but should always be examined by a healthcare provider for stabilization.”
A collarbone injury would usually result from a hard impact, such as falling on one’s shoulder.
The pain is instant and significant, affecting mobility. There may even be a hairline fracture in the bone.
If so, bruising will soon start showing.
But as mentioned, in the absence of an injury, when one collarbone seems to stick out more than the other, this would just be harmless asymmetry — for which another potential benign cause would be unequal muscle development from workouts or physical labor, making it appear that one side juts out more than the other.
