Terminology
Aerola: more darkly shaded circle of skin around the nipple.
Benign: non-cancerous
Biopsy: a surgical procedure used to test for cancer by removing a piece of tissue from the breast.
Breast Cancer: the uncontrolled growth of abnormal breast cells. This is one of the most common kinds of cancer in women. Early detection through regular breast self-exams and regular program of mammography and physical exams shows excellent results in combating the disease.
Breast Disease: any one of a number of abnormalities of the breast, either non-cancerous – fibroadenoma, fibrocystic disease, mammary duct ectasia, ductal papilloma, fat necrosis and others or cancerous – breast cancer, 75-80% of breast disease are non-cancerous.
Breast Lumps: any swelling or unusual lump or hardness in the breast may be an indication of breast disease and a reason to see your doctor. Most are non cancerous. Breast Self-Exam: the process, developed by the American Cancer Society, for women to examine their own breasts monthly. This process can reveal breast problems.
Calcifications: tiny flecks of calcium frequently seen on screening mammograms.
Cyst: fluid-filled sac in the breast tissue.
Diagnostic Testing: tests used to determine the nature of breast changes.
Ductal Papilloma: a non-cancerous breast disease that may cause a bloody nipple discharge.
Estrogen: a hormone that plays an important role in the female reproductive cycle. Also used as a therapy for postmenopausal women.
Fat Necrosis: a non-cancerous breast disease caused by trauma or injury.
Fibroadenoma: a non-cancerous breast disease most common in younger women.
Fibrocystic Changes: a non-cancerous breast condition, resulting in painful cysts or lumpy breasts. Seen most often in middle-aged women. Present to some extent in almost all women.
Galactocele: milk-filled cyst.
Hormones: chemicals produced by glands in the body.
Lymph Nodes: glands found throughout the body that filter the lymph fluid.
Malignant: cancerous
Mammary Duct Ectasia: a non-cancerous breast disease occurring most often in older women around the time of menopause.
Mammary Glands: the breast glands that form and carry milk to the nipples during pregnancy.
Mammogram: an X-ray image of the breast taken to detect abnormalities or changes in the breast such as lumps, calicifications, and/or breast cancer. This is the best early detection examination for breast cancer to date.
Menopause: the ending of the normal menstrual cycle in women. It occurs most frequently in the late forties or early fifties.
Metastasize: the process in which cancer can travel from section of the body to another through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream.
Microcalcifications: small sand-like particles that may be found in any portion of the breast and may occur in benign or malignant conditions.
Needle Aspiration: a process for testing a lump to determine whether it is cystic or not.
Needle Localization: a technique used to precisely locate a breast abnormality.
Ultrasound: a sound wave imaging technique used to examine a part of the breast. It is sometimes used to further evaluate a breast lump or other abnormality seen on mammography.
