Cachexia
A significant loss of weight and muscle mass caused by loss of appetite and poor nutrition.
Calcifications
Tiny calcium deposits within the breast, seen alone or in clusters. They are often found on a mammogram as bright, white spots. Very small deposits may be called microcalcifications. They are a sign of changes within the breast that may need to be followed by more mammograms, or by a biopsy.
Cancer
A group of diseases in which cells in the body change and grow out of control. Most types of cancer cells form a lump, or mass called a tumor. Not all tumors are cancer. A tumor that is not cancer is called benign. A cancerous tumor is called malignant. A cancerous tumor can invade and destroy healthy tissue (malignant).
Carcinoma In Situ (In situ carcinoma)
A group of abnormal cells that remain in the place where they first formed. They have not spread. These abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Also called stage 0 disease.
Catheter
A small tube used to deliver fluids to (or remove them from) the body, like an IV catheter.
Cell Proliferation
An increase in the number of cells as a result of cell growth and cell division.
Chemoprevention
A drug or combination of drugs used to lower the risk of breast cancer in cancer- free women at higher risk.
Chemotherapy
Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth, injection, or infusion, or on the skin, depending on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. It may be given alone or with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, or biologic therapy.
Clinical Breast Examination (CBE)
A physical exam done by a health care provider to check the look and feel of the breasts and underarm for any changes or abnormalities (such as lumps).
Clinical Trials Research studies that test the benefits of new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. People volunteer to participate in these studies.
Cognitive (function) Mental processes related to understanding, such as reasoning and problem-solving.
Complementary Therapies (Integrative Therapies) (See Alternative Therapies in A)
Computer-assisted detection (CAD)
Software developed to help radiologists find suspicious areas on a digital mammogram.
Core Needle Biopsy
A needle biopsy that uses a hollow needle to remove samples of tissue from an abnormal area (lump or cyst) in the breast. A pathologist looks at these samples with a microscope to see if cancer cells are present.
Co-Survivor
A person who lends support to someone diagnosed with breast cancer, from the time of diagnosis through treatment and beyond. Co-survivors may include family members, spouses or partners, friends, health care providers and colleagues.
CT Scan (Computerized Tomography Scan, Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) Scan)
A series of pictures taken by a computer linked to an X-ray machine. The scan gives detailed images of the organs and tissues and can help doctors find cancers, the tumor’s size and shape, and how well the treatment is working.
Cyst
Pockets of tissue that can form anywhere in the body and may be filled with fluid, air, or pus. Cysts are usually not cancer (benign).
Cytopathologist
A pathologist who specializes in looking at individual cells. A cytopathologist is needed to understand the results of fine needle aspiration.
Cytotoxic
Toxic, or deadly, to cells (cell killing). Often used to describe chemotherapy.