Glossary

Adjuvant therapy
Additional therapy to increase effectiveness of overall treatment such as Tamoxifen or Anastrozole (Arimidex).

Benign
Denotes a non-cancerous growth.

Biopsy
T he procedure of removing tissue and/or fluid from the body for medical examination and also the name for the examination itself.

Cure
In medical parlance 'cure' is used to denote survival for five years after diagnosis of breast cancer.

Epidemiology
The science of disease occurrence, severity, and distribution within an area (from local to international).

Gene
A unit of DNA responsible for passing on specific characteristics from parent to child.

Genetics
The study of specific inherited characteristics of a person from their parents.

Hereditary
Genetic characteristics transmitted from parent to child, e.g. blue eyes, brown hair, some disease susceptibilities.

Malignant
Denotes a cancerous growth.

Pathology
Study of the abnormalities of disease created within tissues and organs of the body.

Sentinel node
This is the first lymph node that lymph fluid reaches in the under arm area after leaving the breast.

Tumour
A swelling or enlargement caused by overgrowth of cells within the body or any organ of the body.