Abdominal Wall The boundary of the abdominal organs. The stomach, bladder, kidneys, intestines, spleen, liver, appendix, gallbladder, pancreas, and adrenal glands are all located within the abdominal wall; also includes your uterus and ovaries if you are female.
Absolute Risk The chance of developing a disease over a time period.
Age-Specific Risk How your age affects the chance that an event will take place.
American Cancer Society An organization that specializes in studying cancer, promoting awareness programs, and providing education to patients, families, and friends about cancer.
Asthma A disease of the lungs. Airways can get irritated, swollen, and narrow, which makes it difficult to breathe.
Ataxia Telangiectasia A rare, childhood disorder that causes degeneration, or decline, in the part of the brain that controls motor movements and speech.
Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated The gene responsible for Ataxia Telangiectasia.
Atypical Hyperplasia A non-cancerous condition in which cells look abnormal under a microscope and are increased in number.
Bilateral Affecting both the left and right sides of body.
Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy Surgery to remove both ovaries and both fallopian tubes.
Biopsy When a small piece of tissue, skin, cells or fluid is removed from the body and examined under a microscope, giving doctors a closer look so they can determine if something is wrong.
Blood Clot A mass of blood that forms when blood platelets, proteins, and cells stick together.
Blood Pressure The pressure of circulating blood on the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is taken using two measurements: systolic (measured when the heart beats, when blood pressure is at its highest) and diastolic (measured between heart beats, when blood pressure is at its lowest). Blood pressure is written with the systolic blood pressure first, followed by the diastolic blood pressure (for example 120/80).
BRCA BRCA1 and BRCA2. Two genes that help repair damage to DNA, but when inherited in a defective state can increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
BRCA1 A gene on chromosome 17 that normally helps to suppress cell growth. A person who inherits a mutated BRCA1 gene has a higher risk of getting breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer.
BRCA2 A gene on chromosome 13 that normally helps to suppress cell growth. A person who inherits a mutated BRCA2 gene has a higher risk of getting breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer.
BRCAPro Software that is used for genetic counseling with women who are at risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
Breast Self-Examination Personally checking your own breasts, underarm and armpit for lumps or other changes such as redness, swelling or soreness.
Cancer A disease that happens when the body makes cells that are not normal and those abnormal cells grow and spread in the body.
Carotenoid A substance found in yellow and orange fruits and vegetables as well as in dark green, leafy vegetables. Carotenoids may reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Carrier A person possesses a certain gene in their genetic material and is able to pass it on to their children, but it's not clear by looking at them that they have the trait associated with the particular gene.
Cataracts A cloudiness or blurriness of the lens of the eye or the membrane that covers it and makes it hard to see.
CDH1 A tumor suppressor gene.
Cells The basic building blocks of life. The smallest unit that can work on its own.
Cervix The lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms the connection between the uterus and the vagina.
Chemical bonds A force that holds molecules together, similar to a magnet.
Chemoprevention Using drugs and their chemical reactions to stop cancer growth.
Chest Wall The system of structures outside the lungs that move as a part of breathing, including the rib cage, diaphragm, and abdomen.
Chromosome A strand of DNA that holds hereditary information.
Claus Model A model that uses statistics to predict a person's risk for developing cancer based on family history.
Clinical Breast Examination When a nurse or doctor checks a woman's breasts for lumps or changes in size and shape.
Clinical Trial A research study designed to test the safety and/or effectiveness of a drug, device or treatment.
Colon Part of the large intestine.
Couch Model A model that uses statistics to estimate the likelihood of a BRCA1 change in women.
Cowden's Syndrome A rare disorder with noncancerous, tumor-like growths commonly seen on the lining of the mouth, nose, and intestines, as well as on the skin.
Diabetes (mellitus) A disease that keeps the body from using glucose properly. Glucose levels are controlled by a hormone called insulin. People with diabetes have a pancreas that doesn't make enough insulin.
Disability Insurance Insurance that pays someone when that person is unable to work because of an accident or illness.
DNA The molecule in our cells passed on from parents to children.
Early Cancer Detection Finding cancer in an early stage of its growth. This increases the chances of milder treatment for patients and makes survival more likely. Some examples of early detection strategies include mammography and breast self-examination.
Endometrial Cancer Cancer that forms in the tissue lining the uterus.
Esophagus Cancer Cancer that forms in the tube that moves food from the mouth to the stomach.
Estrogen A type of hormone made by the body that helps develop and maintain female sex characteristics and the growth of bones.
Fallopian Tubes The tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus.
First Degree Relatives Mom, dad, siblings, children.
Gail Model A program that uses personal and family history to estimate a woman's chance of developing breast cancer.
Gall Bladder A small organ, located under the liver, where the bile made by the liver is stored until it's needed for digestion.
Gastro-Intestinal Cancer A kind of cancer that develops in the small or large intestine.
Genes Functional units of DNA.
Genetic Counselor Health professional with specialized degrees and experience in the area of medical genetics and counseling. Her job is to help patients decide if they want to get genetic testing.
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) A law that makes it illegal for health insurance providers to deny coverage, or charge someone more money, based on genetic test results; does not allow forced genetic testing; protects persons who are working from getting fired or not being able to move to different jobs because of genetic information; protects genetic information in tests by keeping it confidential and does not allow employers to ask for results.
Genetic Testing The analysis of DNA and chromosomes for clinical purposes; can name and tell you if there are genes that are likely to be linked to unhealthy outcomes and illnesses.
Geneticist A doctor who is an expert in genes and genetics.
Genetics The study of how traits get passed from one generation to the next.
Heart Disease Also known as cardiovascular disease. Any condition of the heart that impairs its functioning.
Helix A spiral shape.
Hereditary Any trait passed from parents to children.
Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) A rare form of stomach cancer associated with mutations in the gene CDH1.
Hypertension Also called high blood pressure; a blood pressure of 140/90 or higher.
Incidence Rates The number of new cases of a disease in a certain group of people.
Labular Affecting or being from one small dense area of tissue that makes up organs.
Larynx The structure at the top of the wind pipe that contains the vocal cords, which produce the voice. Also called the voice box.
Legislation A law made by government.
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome A rare disorder in which people are likely to develop cancer.
Low Birth Weight When the weight at birth is less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces.
Mammogram/Mammography An X-ray photograph of the breasts.
Melanoma A form of cancer that begins in a darker part of the skin, like a mole. It is a skin tumor that can be cancerous or non-cancerous.
Menarche The first menstrual period, usually occurring during puberty.
MLH1 A gene that provides instructions for making a protein that plays an essential role in DNA repair.
MSH2 A gene that provides instructions for making a protein that plays an essential role in DNA repair.
MSH6 A gene that provides instructions for making a protein that plays an essential role in DNA repair.
Muir-Torre Syndrome A genetic syndrome characterized by a combination of tumors of the skin and one or more internal cancers.
Mutation A permanent change that affects genes.
Negative Test What you were testing for does not show up in test results.
Non-directive When the counselor or other professional gives you the chance to talk freely.
Nucleotides The four building blocks of DNA _ A, T, G, and C.
Nucleus The brain of the cell. It tells every part of the cell what to do.
Obesity Having a high body weight caused by extra fat. Clinically identified by having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
Oncologist A doctor that has extra training in caring for people with cancer.
Onset The time when symptoms first appear.
Ovarian Cancer A kind of cancer that develops in the cells of a woman's ovary.
P16 A tumor suppressor gene. Mutations in this gene increase the risk of developing a variety of cancers, especially melanoma.
P53 A tumor suppressor gene. Mutations in this gene increase the likelihood that cancer may develop.
Pancreatic Cancer A kind of cancer that develops in the cells of a person's pancreas.
Paternal Having to do with the father, or from the father's side of the family.
Pedigree A record of a person's heritage.
Peritoneum The case that holds the abdominal organs and keeps them separated from other muscles.
Peutz-Jegher's Syndrome A condition that is characterized by the development of polyps in the gastrointestinal tract.
Placebo An inactive substance or treatment that looks the same as, and is given the same way as, an active drug or treatment being tested. The effects of the active drug or treatment are compared to the effects of the placebo.
Plastic Surgeons A surgeon who specializes in reducing scarring or disfigurement that may occur as a result of accidents, birth defects, or treatment for diseases.
Positive Test What you were testing for shows up in test results.
Premature Birth The birth of a baby after the period of viability, but before full term; birth before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy.
Premium Payments, usually monthly, to an insurance company.
Prevalence All cases of disease in a certain population.
Progesterone Female hormone that protects the growth of the baby in the mother during pregnancy, and also prepares the body for the attachment of the fertilized egg to the lining of the uterus.
Prophylactic Mastectomy Surgery to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by removing one or both breasts before a disease develops.
Prophylactic Salpingo-Oophorectomy Surgery intended to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by removing the ovaries before a disease develops.
Prostate cancer A kind of cancer that develops in the cells of a man's prostate, the small gland in men located under the bladder that helps make the fluid that holds sperm.
PTEN The gene that provides instructions for making a protein that is found in almost all tissues in the body. A tumor suppressor.
Radiation Waves of high power, invisible energy. It can be used as treatment against tumors.
Raloxifene A drug used to reduce the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women who are at a high risk of developing the disease.
Screening Testing for a certain disease.
Second-Degree Relatives Grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins.
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMS) Block the action of estrogen in the breast and tissues by occupying estrogen receptors inside cells.
Sporadic Something that happens once, sometimes, or in scattered instances.
STK11 Provides instructions for making the protein called serine/threonine kinase 11. Mutations of this gene have been linked to Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome.
Stomach Cancer Cancer that forms in tissues lining the stomach. Also called gastric cancer.
Stroke A loss of blood flow to part of the brain, which damages brain tissue.
Surveillance Close observation.
Susceptibility The chance, or likelihood, of being affected by something.
Syndrome Symptoms that happen together and define an abnormality.
Tamoxifen A drug used to treat certain types of breast cancer in women and men.
Tissue A group of cells that are the same and work together to make up parts of the body.
Tumor An abnormal growth of cells. They can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Tumor Suppressor Gene A gene that blocks unhealthy cell division.
Uterine Cancer Cancer that forms in tissues of the uterus.
Uterus The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis; where a baby grows.
Vein A blood vessel that carries blood to the heart from tissues and organs in the body.
Vitamin A A group of compounds found in fish-liver oils, milk, and some yellow and dark green vegetables that play an important role in vision, bone growth, reproduction, cell division, and cell differentiation; also called retinol.
Vitamin C A key nutrient found in citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, and leafy green vegetables that the body needs to fight infection, heal wounds, and keep tissues healthy, including the blood vessels, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bones, muscle, skin, teeth and gums; also called ascorbic acid.