The female reproductive system consists of the external and internal genital organs. Breast disorders may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Most are noncancerous and not life threatening. Often, they require no treatment. In contrast, breast cancer can mean a loss of breast or of life.

Thus, for many women, breast cancer is their worst fear. However, potential problems can be detected early, when women regularly examine their breasts themselves and have mammograms.

Some factors may slightly increase the risk of women developing the disease and are described below:
• Having had breast cancer.
• After certain types of benign breast disease.
• Women who are taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), or have recently taken it, have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. Younger women who take HRT because they had an early menopause or had their ovaries removed, they have an increased risk of breast cancer after the age of 50.
• Taking the contraceptive pill slightly increases a woman's chance of developing breast cancer.