Describes a lesion or growth that does not appear healthy, or normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancer, premalignant (likely to become cancer) or benign (not cancer).

A measure of the risk of a certain event happening. In cancer research, an example of an 'absolute risk' can include the statistical likelihood that a cancer-free person of a given age will develop that cancer over a certain period of time. For example, a woman 35 years of age with no known risk factors for breast cancer has a 13.5 percent absolute risk of getting breast cancer, over a lifetime of 90 years.

An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination treatment used in breast cancer. It contains doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin) and cyclophosphamide, followed by treatment with paclitaxel (Taxol). Also called AC-T and AC-Taxol regimen.

An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination treatment in breast cancer. It contains doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin) and cyclophosphamide, followed by treatment with paclitaxel (Taxol). Also called AC-T and AC-T regimen.

A type of radiation therapy given only to the part of the breast that has cancer in it. Accelerated partial-breast irradiation gives a higher dose over a shorter time than is given in standard whole-breast radiation therapy. Accelerated partial-breast irradiation may be given with internal or external sources of radiation. Also called partial-breast irradiation.

A specific spot on the body where an acupuncture needle may be inserted to control pain and other symptoms. Also called acupuncture point.

A type of complementary or integrative medicine, meaning a treatment used in addition to standard therapies. Treatment with acupuncture involves inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body to control pain or make other symptoms of breast cancer treatment or of the disease itself go away. Some women affected by breast cancer find it useful in controlling nausea and other side effects of chemotherapy treatment.

Using mild electric currents on certain acupuncture points (spots on the body where an acupuncture needle may be inserted to control pain and other symptoms) on the skin. It is being studied in the treatment of dry mouth caused by radiation therapy for cancer. Also called acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ALTENS).

A person trained in acupuncture, a therapy that uses thin needles inserted through the skin at specific points on the body to control pain and other symptoms. Acupuncture is a type of complementary medicine.