What it means
The most common cancer in women in the United States; men can also get it. It usually begins in the milk ducts or lobules. Risk rises with age, a family history, certain gene changes (such as BRCA1 and BRCA2), and long exposure to estrogen. It is found by mammogramMAM-uh-gramAn x-ray picture of the breast, used to screen for and look into breast cancer.mamm/o breast-gram recordFull entry and exams and confirmed by biopsyBY-op-seeTaking a small sample of tissue from the body so it can be looked at under a microscope.bi/o life-opsy viewingFull entry . Treatment can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormone or targeted drugs.
For the nurse
After a mastectomy or lymph node removal, take no blood pressures, blood draws or injections in the arm on that side, and teach the client to protect it to lower the risk of lymphedema. Support body image and coping.
At a glance
| Spanish | cáncer de mama |
|---|---|
| Also written | breast cancers, breast-cancer |
Related terms
antineoplastic
A drug used to treat cancer by killing cancer cells or stopping them from growing and dividing.
lymph node
A small, bean-shaped organ of the immune system that filters lymph fluid and holds white blood cells.
biopsy
Taking a small sample of tissue from the body so it can be looked at under a microscope.
mammogram
An x-ray picture of the breast, used to screen for and look into breast cancer.