U.S. government researchers report that most Americans don't know when and how often to get important screening tests such as mammograms, Pap smears, and colonoscopies-even though they know these exams help detect cancer in early stages.

Cigarette smoke can prevent normal breast cells from repairing damage and lead to the development of cancer, according to researchers at the University of Florida. The link between smoking and breast cancer has been controversial. While tobacco contains cancer-causing agents and is known to increase the risk of lung cancer and other illnesses, research has been mixed as to whether smoking increases the risk of breast cancer.

Who is at risk for breast cancer? Is breast cancer a genetic disease? What are the warning signs of breast cancer? Does nipple discharge indicate breast cancer? Does nutrition and diet affect breast cancer risk? Does breast feeding increase the risk of breast cancer? Does breast size affect breast cancer risk? How common are breast lumps? Who should get a mammogram? What is the difference between a benign breast condition and breast cancer? Does taking hormone replacement therapy after menopause increase the risk of breast cancer? This article answers these and other commonly asked questions about breast cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women. While the majority of women who develop ovarian cancer have no known risk factors for the disease, researchers have identified a few factors that increase a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer. Like many cancers, ovarian cancer can be highly treatable if detected in early stages. However, many cases of
ovarian cancer are not diagnosed until advanced stages. This is because the symptoms of ovarian cancer can be very subtle ("silent") or unnoticeable until the disease has progressed significantly. This newly updated article provides information about symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic tests, and treatment options for ovarian cancer.