All forms of cancer cause cells in the body to change and grow out of control. Most types of cancer cells form a lump or mass called a tumor. Cells from the tumor can break away and travel to other parts of the body. There the cancerous cells can continue to grow. This spreading process is called metastasis. When cancer spreads, it is still named after the part of the body where it started. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the lungs, it is still breast cancer, not lung cancer. Another word for cancerous is malignant. Therefore, a cancerous tumor is called malignant. However, not all tumors are cancer. A tumor that is not cancer is called benign. Benign tumors do not grow and spread in the same manner cancer does and the tumors are usually not a threat to life. A few cancers, such as blood cancers (leukemia), do not form

A risk factor is something which increases a person's chance of getting a disease. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, such as smoking, can be controlled. Others, such as an individual's age or family history, can not be controlled. (Lee, 124) While all women are at risk for breast cancer, the factors listed below can increase an individual’s chances of having the disease. Some studies suggest that long-term use (10 years or more) of estrogen replacement therapy, sometimes called hormone replacement therapy (ERT), for relief of menopause symptoms may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer. This risk applies only to current and recent users. A woman's breast cancer risk returns to that of the general population within 5 years of stopping ERT. Replacement therapy also lowers the risk of heart attacks and bone fractures; therefore, women should discuss with their doctors the benefits and drawbacks of ERT. At this time, there is no certain way to prevent breast cancer. For now, the best strategy is to reduce risk factors whenever possible and follow the guidelines for finding breast cancer early. A personal or family history of breast cancer may make genetic testing an option for some women. Approximately 50%-60% of women with certain genetic mutations will develop breast cancer by the age of 70. Thesewomen also have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Genetic testing can tell if a woman has these mutated genes, however, these tests cannot predict whether or not a woman will get breast cancer. Genetic testing is expensive and is not covered by some health plans. Women with positive results may be able to get insurance, or coverage might only be available at a much higher cost. One must weigh carefully the benefit

Some topics in this essay:
, ERT Replacement, breast cancer, risk breast, risk breast cancer, risk factors, finding breast cancer, cancer genetic testing, breast cancer risk, family history, cancer genetic, cancer risk, breast tissue, genetic testing, finding breast, replacement therapy, breast cancer genetic,