CBCN key terms

A risk calculator that estimates a woman's chance of developing invasive breast cancer over the next five years and over her lifetime, using age, reproductive history, family history, and prior breast biopsies.

Genes that normally repair damaged DNA. Inherited harmful variants in either gene greatly increase lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer and can guide earlier screening, prevention, and testing of relatives.

The estimated chance that a person will develop a particular cancer at any point in life, often stated as a percentage or a '1 in X' figure used when deciding about enhanced screening.

A noncancerous biopsy finding in which breast cells look abnormal and grow excessively. It modestly raises future breast cancer risk and prompts discussion of closer surveillance or risk-reducing medication.

Abnormal cells confined to the milk-producing lobules that act as a marker of higher cancer risk rather than as cancer itself; risk rises in both breasts and is managed with surveillance and counseling.

The amount of glandular and fibrous tissue compared with fat seen on mammography. Dense tissue can hide tumors and is itself linked to a modestly higher risk of breast cancer.

Low-dose X-ray imaging of the breast used to screen people without symptoms and to evaluate lumps or other findings; it has the strongest evidence of any screening test for reducing breast cancer deaths.

A standardized reporting language that assigns breast imaging findings a category from 0 to 6, each linked to an estimated likelihood of malignancy and a recommended next step.

Removal of several tissue samples from a breast abnormality using a hollow needle. It supplies the histology, tumor grade, and receptor results needed to plan treatment.

A procedure in which dye or a radiotracer identifies the first lymph nodes draining the breast so they can be removed and examined, sparing most axillary nodes when cancer has not spread.

Surgical removal of many lymph nodes from the armpit, performed when sentinel nodes contain cancer or for regional control. It carries higher risk of lymphedema and shoulder stiffness.

A system describing tumor size and local invasion, nearby lymph node involvement, and distant spread; the combined categories produce an overall stage that guides prognosis and treatment choices.

A fast-growing cancer that causes redness, swelling, and pitted skin over much of the breast, often without a distinct lump; it is usually treated with chemotherapy before surgery.

A pathology result showing whether tumor cells carry estrogen and progesterone receptors. Positive results predict benefit from endocrine therapy such as tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor.

A receptor that drives cell growth. Tumors with HER2 overexpression or gene amplification can be treated with HER2-targeted drugs, so testing every invasive breast cancer is standard practice.

Breast cancer lacking estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2. It is more common in younger women and in Black women and is usually treated with chemotherapy, sometimes with immunotherapy.

A genomic test performed on early-stage hormone-receptor-positive tumors that produces a recurrence score, helping determine whether adding chemotherapy to endocrine therapy is likely to benefit the patient.

Chemotherapy given before breast surgery to shrink a tumor, make breast-conserving surgery possible, and show how the cancer responds to the drugs.

Treatment given after surgery, and sometimes after radiation, to lower the chance the cancer returns. It may include chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, HER2-targeted drugs, or radiation.

An oral drug that blocks estrogen from stimulating breast cancer cells, used for hormone-receptor-positive disease and for risk reduction. It can cause hot flashes and raises clot and uterine cancer risk.

Drugs such as anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane that block estrogen production in postmenopausal women. Common effects include joint aches, hot flashes, and accelerated bone loss.

A monoclonal antibody that targets HER2 and improves survival in HER2-positive breast cancer. It requires baseline and periodic heart function monitoring because it can weaken the heart muscle.

Fever in a patient whose neutrophil count has fallen after chemotherapy. It is a medical emergency: blood cultures are drawn and intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics started right away.

Nausea and vomiting triggered by chemotherapy, prevented with drugs chosen according to how emetogenic the regimen is, typically a 5-HT3 antagonist, dexamethasone, and often an NK1 antagonist.

Painful inflammation and sores in the mouth or throat caused by chemotherapy or radiation. Care includes gentle oral hygiene, pain control, and keeping up nutrition and hydration.

A skin reaction in the treated area ranging from redness and dryness to moist peeling. Nursing care includes mild washing, moisturizing, and avoiding friction, heat, and sun exposure.

Swelling of the arm, hand, breast, or trunk caused by damaged lymph drainage after node surgery or radiation. It is managed with compression, exercise, skin care, and specialized therapy.

Injury to heart muscle from anthracyclines or HER2-targeted therapy that can lead to heart failure. Left ventricular function is checked before and during treatment so therapy can be adjusted.

Numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in the hands and feet caused by neurotoxic chemotherapy. It can limit dosing, affect balance, and increase fall risk, so it is assessed each visit.

A distressing, persistent tiredness from cancer or its treatment that is out of proportion to activity and not relieved by rest; reversible causes such as anemia and poor sleep should be checked.

A structured review of pain location, intensity, quality, timing, and effect on function, using a validated scale, with reassessment after each intervention to guide adjustments.

Sudden waves of heat, sweating, and flushing caused by low estrogen from menopause, ovarian suppression, or endocrine therapy; nonhormonal drugs and behavioral measures can reduce them.

Routine use of a short validated tool, such as a distress thermometer, to find emotional, practical, and spiritual problems early so patients can be referred to appropriate services.

A written summary at the end of active treatment listing the diagnosis, treatments received, follow-up schedule, possible late effects, and wellness recommendations, shared with the patient and primary care clinician.

Options such as embryo or egg freezing offered before cancer treatment that may harm fertility. Counseling should happen early because delays or rushing can reduce the chance of success.

A conversation in which clinicians explain options and evidence and patients share their values and preferences, leading to a treatment choice everyone agrees on together.

How a person perceives and feels about their appearance. Surgery, hair loss, weight change, and scars can disrupt it, and asking about it opens the door to support.

The physical, emotional, financial, and time strain on family or friends caring for a patient. High burden harms both the caregiver and the patient's care, so it should be assessed regularly.

Interdisciplinary care that relieves symptoms and improves quality of life for people with serious illness, given alongside cancer treatment rather than only at the end of life.

A group including surgery, medical and radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, nursing, rehabilitation, and social work that reviews cases together and coordinates the treatment plan.