Benign
Not cancerous. Does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
Benign Breast Conditions (Benign Breast Disease)
Noncancerous conditions of the breast that can result in lumps or other abnormalities. Signs and symptoms of benign breast disease include irregular lumps or cysts, breast swelling or discomfort, skin redness or thickening, and nipple discharge. However, if you have any of these signs go to see your doctor to rule out anything serious.
Benign Phyllodes Tumor
A rare benign (not cancer) breast condition similar to a fibroadenoma. A lump may be felt, but is usually painless.
Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy
Surgery where both breasts are removed to prevent breast cancer from developing.
Biological Therapy
A type of treatment that uses substances made from living organisms to treat disease. These substances may occur naturally in the body or may be made in the laboratory. In cancer, some biological therapies stimulate or suppress the immune system to help the body fight cancer. Other biological therapies attack specific cancer cells, which may help keep them from growing or kill them. They may also lessen certain side effects caused by some cancer treatments. Types of biological therapy include immunotherapy (such as cytokines, cancer treatment vaccines, and some antibodies) and some targeted therapies. Also called biological response modifier therapy, biotherapy, and BRM therapy.
Biomarker
A biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. A biomarker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. Also called molecular marker and signature molecule.
Biopsy
Removal of tissue to be tested for cancer cells.
Bisphosphonates
Drugs used to strengthen bones and decrease the rate of bone fractures and pain due to breast cancer metastases to the bone.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
A measure that relates body weight to height. BMI is sometimes used to measure total body fat and whether a person is a healthy weight. Excess body fat is linked to an increased risk of some diseases including heart disease and some cancers. Also called BMI.
Bone Scan
A test done to check for signs of cancer in the bones. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the bloodstream. It collects in the bones, especially abnormal areas, and is detected by a scanner. Bone scans can show cancer as well as benign bone diseases (like arthritis).
Boost
Additional dose of radiation to the part of the breast that had the tumor.
BRCA1/BRCA2 Genes (BReast CAncer genes)
A gene which, when damaged (or mutated), puts a person at higher risk of developing breast, ovarian, and other types of cancer, compared to people who do not have the mutation.
Brachytherapy
Internal radiation treatment that uses a radiation source that’s usually sealed in a small holder called an implant. The implant is placed in the body, very close to or inside the tumor.
Breast Cancer
Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the lining of the milk ducts (thin tubes that carry milk from the lobules of the breast to the nipple). Another type of breast cancer is lobular carcinoma, which begins in the lobules (milk glands) of the breast. Invasive breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread from where it began in the breast ducts or lobules to surrounding normal tissue. Breast cancer occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.
Breast Cancer Advocacy
Influencing targeted audiences to promote the support of breast cancer issues.
Breast Cancer Survivor (see Survivor in S)
Breast Conserving Surgery (see Lumpectomy in L)
Breast Density
A measure used to describe the relative amounts of fat and tissue in the breasts as seen on a mammogram. There are different levels of breast density, ranging from little or no dense tissue to very dense tissue. The more density, the harder it may be to find tumors or other changes on a mammogram.
Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (see Nuclear Medicine Imaging of the Breast in N)
Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS®)
A method used by radiologists to review and report the results of mammography, ultrasound, and MRI (in an standard way) used in breast cancer screening and diagnosis.
Breast Reconstruction
Surgery to restore the look and feel of the breast after mastectomy.
Breast Self-Examination (BSE)
A method that may help women become familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts. BSE is not recommended as a breast cancer screening tool because it has not been shown to decrease breast cancer death.
Breast Tomosynthesis (3D Digital Mammography, Digital Tomosynthesis)
A procedure that uses x-rays to take and crate a series of pictures inside of the breast from many different angles. A computer is used to make 3-D pictures of the breast from these x-rays. Breast tomosynthesis is used to check for breast cancer and other changes in the breast, such as abnormal lumps, cysts, or calcifications (calcium deposits). It may allow doctors to see breast tissue, including dense breast tissue, more clearly than with 2-D mammography. This may make breast tumors or other changes in the breast easier to find. Also called 3-D mammography and 3-dimensional mammography.