Disparities in breast cancer risk and research for transgender people
- Medical Review: Madeline Deutsch MD
In 2013, the American Cancer Society stated that 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer are reported each year. This number includes transgender people, the “T” in the well-known acronym “LGBTQ+,” though we don’t know how many. Early research suggests that the rate of breast cancer in transgender people is very low.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, states that: "Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States.” But where do transgender women fall within that statistic, and what exactly do we know and not know about breast cancer in transgender people?
Much of what is known about breast cancer, its treatments, care and outcomes deals with the general, non-transgender community.
Transgender people have special considerations and issues that often differ from those of the average man or woman. Many times transgender people are under-represented in breast cancer research, which leads to disparities.
How disparities, known and unknown, affect transgender people with breast cancer
We do not have breast cancer data from CDC about transgender people as we do for other non-trans people. This may be due to a lack of adequate data collection on transgender people and that many transgender individuals may avoid seeking healthcare due to discrimination, or may not disclose their transgender status to their provider.
Financial hardships, social biases against them, internal self-rejection and other mental struggles may also make joining research studies or taking part in surveys challenging. Without many participants, data on transgender people with breast cancer is hard to gather.
There is no data to show how disparities have reduced breast cancer care, how many trans people have breast cancer, or worse: How many transgender people are dying from it.
Gender identity, anatomy, and breast cancer
There is a saying in the trans community: “It’s about the heart and not about the parts.” But when it comes to breast cancer risk factors, prevention and treatment of the disease, parts do indeed matter. Respecting a person’s gender expression and identity is very important, but anatomy cannot be ignored.
Talking with your doctor
Many factors may impact whether you’re fully comfortable talking with your doctors about your gender identity. Whether to talk openly with them is a personal choice.
Know that being open and honest about your breasts and your body can help your doctors provide more comprehensive care for you, because the more a doctor knows about you, the more they can help you with decisions.
Be clear about your gender identity and the pronouns you use to describe yourself. It’s OK to ask your providers to acknowledge you the way you want to be acknowledged. If your provider speaks to you in a way that makes you uncomfortable, consider reaching out to an LGBTQ+ liaison or social worker for help.
Hormone Replacement Therapy and breast cancer
If you are taking hormone replacement therapy, HRT, because you are transitioning, you should make sure your doctor knows about it. HRT could be another risk factor for developing breast cancer, regardless of the type of hormone you are taking.
In particular, estrogen taken by mouth, by injection or produced in the body itself may add complications that promote cancer cell growth if you have estrogen receptor-positive, ER-positive, disease.
Everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will be given a test to show whether the cancer is growing because of estrogen or other hormones in the body. Cancer that does grow because of estrogen is called estrogen receptor-positive, or ER-positive. When a trans person has ER-positive breast cancer, taking hormone replacement therapies may be stopped. In some cases, testosterone may also be a risk.
If you’re taking HRT, the thought of stopping it because of breast cancer may cause stress and worry. However, be aware that the very hormone that assists in your breast growth and female development in a positive way may also be dangerous and affect your breast cancer treatment.
Realities of HRT and breast cancer
Your doctor may recommend that HRT and other supplemental estrogen be stopped altogether. This news may be very difficult and it might feel unfair to have to choose between cancer treatment and hormones for transition. Talking to your doctor or a therapist may help you make the right decision for you, but know that treating the cancer is very important.
You may need to take anti-estrogen therapies to treat estrogen receptor-positive cancer growth. In most people, anti-estrogen therapies cause menopausal symptoms and other side effects related to hormones in the body. It is not clear whether these would be different if you are transitioning.
One or both breasts may eventually be removed in mastectomy. Most people who are diagnosed need to have surgery to remove part of all of the affected breast, and sometimes the unaffected breast, to remove breast cancer cells from the body.
Another treatment for ER-positive breast cancer is a selective estrogen modulator or SERM. SERMs are medicines that target particular estrogen receptors in the body. This type of treatment may allow a carefully monitored use of HRT.
If you’re transgender, talk to your doctor about all treatment options if HRT and estrogen present complications to treatment.
Some anti-estrogen treatments are dependent on the presence of ovaries. While a transgender male with breast cancer and who has ovaries may be a candidate for such medicines and surgery to remove the ovaries, a transgender female who does not have ovaries may be asked to stop all estrogen pills and injections.
The trauma and fears associated with stopping HRT and halting the transition process may become too much to handle, in addition to being diagnosed with breast cancer. A counselor who is familiar with transgender issues and HRT can guide you and address any mental health concerns you may have.
When choosing a therapist, consider if the therapist has experience with:
- LGBTQ+ issues, specifically in the transgender community
- cancer or other life-threatening diseases and the trauma they can cause a transgender person
- hormone therapy as it relates to a person diagnosed with cancer
The lack of awareness about transgender health issues may make breast cancer an even more challenging diagnosis for you. Seeking care from a team that respects you and your needs can help through treatment and beyond.
- 3-dimensional radiation therapy
- 4-hydroxytamoxifen
- ablation
- abnormal
- Abraxane
- absolute risk
- AC regimen
- AC-T regimen
- AC-T-T regimen
- AC-Taxol regimen
- AC-TH regimen
- accelerated partial-breast irradiation
- action study
- acupoint
- acupressure
- acupuncture
- acupuncture needle
- acupuncture point
- acupuncture point injection
- acupuncturist
- acustimulation
- acute
- acute pain
- adenocarcinoma
- adenopathy
- adenosis
- adjunct agent
- adjunct therapy
- adjunctive therapy
- adjuvant therapy
- advance directive
- advanced practice nurse
- adverse effect
- aerobic exercise
- agent study
- aggravating factor
- aggressive
- AJCC staging system
- Alkeran
- alkylating agent
- Allegra
- allopathic medicine
- alopecia
- amifostine
- aminoglutethimide
- amitriptyline
- anabolic steroid
- analgesic
- anaplastic
- anastrozole
- ancillary test
- anemia
- anesthesia
- anesthesiologist
- angiogenesis
- angiogenesis inhibitor
- antagonist
- anthracycline
- anti-anxiety medicine
- anti-idiotype vaccine
- anti-inflammatory
- antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity
- antibody therapy
- anticachexia
- anticancer antibiotic
- anticancer therapy
- anticonvulsant
- antidepressant
- antiemetic
- antiestrogen
- antifolate
- antigen-presenting cell vaccine
- antihormone therapy
- antimetabolite
- antimitotic agent
- antineoplastic
- antitumor
- anxiety
- anxiolytic
- Anzemet
- APN
- apocrine gland
- apoptosis
- aprepitant
- areola
- Aromasin
- aromatase inhibitor
- aromatherapy
- arthralgia
- ascites
- aspirate
- aspiration
- assay
- asthenia
- asymptomatic
- atypia
- atypical ductal hyperplasia
- atypical hyperplasia
- atypical lobular hyperplasia
- avoidance
- axillary lymph node
- axillary lymph node dissection
- BAK gel
- balloon catheter radiation
- baseline
- behavior modification
- best practice
- BI-RADS
- Biafine cream
- bias
- bilateral
- bilateral breast cancer
- bilateral prophylactic mastectomy
- bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
- biofeedback
- biologic
- biopsy
- biopsy specimen
- biotherapy
- bisphosphonate
- bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis
- blinded study
- blood-brain barrier
- blood-brain barrier disruption
- blood cell count
- blood chemistry study
- board certified oncology pharmacy specialist
- body image
- body mass index
- bolus dose
- bone density
- bone metastasis
- bone mineral density scan
- bone scan
- bone-seeking radioisotope
- brachytherapy
- brain metastasis
- BRCA1
- BRCA2
- BRCAPro
- breast carcinoma in situ
- breast-conserving surgery
- breast density
- breast duct
- breast duct endoscopy
- breast lobe
- breast lobule
- breast reconstruction
- breast self-exam
- Brief Pain Inventory
- cachexia
- CAF regimen
- calcification
- cancer vaccine
- candidiasis
- capecitabine
- carboplatin
- carcinogen
- carcinoma
- carcinoma in situ
- carcinomatous meningitis
- carcinosis
- carcinostatic
- cardiotoxicity
- caregiver
- carmustine
- case-control study
- case report
- case series
- CAT scan
- CBC
- cell
- cell-cycle regulation
- cell proliferation
- central nervous system
- central nervous system metastasis
- central nervous system prophylaxis
- central venous access catheter
- cetuximab
- cevimeline
- chaplain
- charged-particle radiation therapy
- chemoembolization
- chemoimmunotherapy
- chemoprevention
- chemoprevention study
- chemoprotective
- chemoradiation
- chemosensitivity
- chemosensitivity assay
- chemosensitizer
- chemotherapeutic agent
- chemotherapy
- chest wall
- chest X-ray
- Chinese meridian theory
- chronic
- chronic pain
- cisplatin
- Claus model
- clergy
- clinical
- clinical breast exam
- clinical practice guidelines
- clinical researcher
- clinical resistance
- clinical series
- clinical stage
- clinical staging
- clinical study
- clinical trial
- clinician
- clodronate
- CMF regimen
- cognition
- cognitive behavior therapy
- cognitive therapy
- cohort
- cohort study
- combination chemotherapy
- comedo carcinoma
- comfort care
- Coming Out
- Community Advisory Board
- comorbidity
- compassionate use trial
- complementary and alternative medicine
- complementary medicine
- complete metastasectomy
- complete remission
- complete response
- complex decongestive therapy
- compliance
- complication
- compression garment
- computed tomography scan
- concomitant
- concurrent therapy
- condition
- consolidation therapy
- constitutional acupuncture
- continuum of care
- contract research organization
- contraindication
- contralateral
- contrast material
- control group
- controlled clinical trial
- controlled study
- conventional medicine
- conventional therapy
- cope
- coping skills
- core biopsy
- core needle biopsy
- corticosteroid
- counseling
- COX inhibitor
- cryoablation
- cryopreservation
- cryosurgery
- CT scan
- cultural competency
- cumulative dose
- cumulative exposure
- cure
- cutaneous
- cutaneous breast cancer
- cyclophosphamide
- cyclosporine
- CYP2D6 inhibitor
- cystosarcoma phyllodes
- cytopenia
- cytotoxic
- cytotoxic chemotherapy
- Cytoxan
- Data and Safety Monitoring Board
- DCIS
- de novo
- debulking
- definitive surgery
- definitive treatment
- dehydration
- denosumab
- depression
- diagnosis
- diagnostic mammogram
- diagnostic procedure
- diagnostic technique
- diagnostic trial
- diameter
- diarrhea
- diaziquone
- DIEP flap
- dietary counseling
- dietary supplement
- dietitian
- differentiation
- diffuse
- digital mammography
- diphenhydramine
- discharge
- disease progression
- disease-specific survival rate
- distant cancer
- distant metastasis
- Distant recurrence
- distress
- DNR order
- docetaxel
- dolasetron
- dose
- dose-dense chemotherapy
- dose-dependent
- dose-limiting
- dose-rate
- double-blinded
- doxorubicin
- drain
- dronabinol
- droperidol
- drug interaction
- drug resistance
- drug therapy
- drug tolerance
- duct
- ductal carcinoma
- ductal carcinoma in situ
- ductal lavage
- duloxetine
- durable power of attorney
- dysfunction
- dysgeusia
- dyspepsia
- dyspnea
- early menopause
- early-stage breast cancer
- edema
- EEG biofeedback
- efficacy
- Eklund displacement views
- electroacupuncture
- electron beam
- eligibility criteria
- Ellence
- emesis
- emetic
- endocrine
- endocrine therapy
- endpoint
- energy healing
- enteral nutrition
- epidemiology
- epirubicin
- ER+
- ER-
- ER
- ER-PR-HER2/neu-
- eribulin mesylate
- erythema
- estradiol
- estrogen
- estrogen blocker
- estrogen receptor
- estrogen receptor-negative
- estrogen receptor-positive
- estrogen receptor test
- estrogen replacement therapy
- etanidazole
- etidronate
- everolimus
- Evista
- excision
- excisional biopsy
- exemestane
- expanded access trial
- experimental
- extranodal
- false-negative test result
- false-positive test result
- familial cancer
- family medical history
- Faslodex
- fast-neutron beam radiation
- fatigue
- FDA
- febrile neutropenia
- FEC regimen
- Femara
- fertility
- fexofenadine
- fibroadenoma
- fibrocystic breast changes
- fiducial marker
- film mammography
- fine-needle aspiration biopsy
- first-degree relative
- first-line therapy
- five-year survival rate
- fluorouracil
- fluoxetine
- FNA biopsy
- focal
- Food and Drug Administration
- Fosamax
- fractionation
- fulvestrant
- functional magnetic resonance imaging
- gadolinium
- Gail model
- gallium scan
- gamma irradiation
- Gamma Knife therapy
- gamma ray
- Gelclair
- gemcitabine
- gene
- gene expression profile
- gene therapy
- general anesthesia
- generalized anxiety disorder
- generic
- genetic
- genetic counseling
- genetic marker
- genetic marker of susceptibility
- genetic predisposition
- genetic profile
- genetic susceptibility
- genetic testing
- genetic testing
- genetics
- genome
- genome-wide association study
- genomic profile
- genomic test
- genomics
- gland
- Good Clinical Practice
- goserelin
- grade
- grading
- granisetron
- gross description
- Halaven
- hazard ratio
- healing touch
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
- healthcare provider
- healthcare proxy
- healthy control
- helical computed tomography
- HER2/neu
- Herceptin
- hereditary
- hereditary mutation
- heteronormative
- high-dose chemotherapy
- high-dose radiation
- high-energy proton therapy
- high grade
- high-risk cancer
- HIPPA
- histologic examination
- histology
- historic cohort study
- historical control subject
- homeopathic medicine
- hormonal therapy
- hormone
- hormone receptor
- hormone receptor test
- hormone replacement therapy
- hormone responsive
- hormone therapy
- hospice
- hot flash
- human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
- human participant protection regulations
- hydroxydaunorubicin
- hyperalimentation
- hypercalcemia
- hyperfractionated radiation therapy
- hyperfractionation
- hyperplasia
- hypersensitivity
- hypofractionated radiation therapy
- hypofractionation
- hypoxia
- ibandronate
- ibuprofen
- idiopathic
- image-guided radiation therapy
- imaging
- imaging procedure
- immune adjuvant
- immune function
- immune response
- immune system
- immune system tolerance
- immunization
- immunoassay
- immunocompromised
- immunodeficiency
- immunohistochemistry
- immunology
- immunomodulation
- immunosuppression
- immunotherapy
- implant
- implant displacement views
- implant radiation therapy
- implantable pump
- in situ
- incidence
- incision
- incisional biopsy
- indication
- indolent
- induction therapy
- infection
- infertile
- infertility
- infiltrating breast cancer
- infiltrating ductal carcinoma
- inflammation
- inflammatory breast cancer
- informed consent
- infusion
- ingestion
- inherited
- iniparib
- injection
- inoperable
- insomnia
- Institutional Review Board
- intensification therapy
- intensity-modulated radiation therapy
- interfering thought
- internal mammary lymph nodes
- internal radiation therapy
- International Unit
- internist
- interstitial radiation therapy
- intervention
- intervention group
- intra-arterial
- intracarotid infusion
- intradermal
- intraductal breast papilloma
- intraductal carcinoma
- intrahepatic
- intrahepatic infusion
- intramuscular
- intramuscular injection
- intraoperative radiation therapy
- intraoperative ultrasound
- intratumoral
- intravasation
- intravenous
- intravenous infusion
- intravenous injection
- intrusive thought
- intrusive thoughts
- invasive breast cancer
- invasive cancer
- invasive procedure
- investigational
- investigator
- ionizing radiation
- ipsilateral
- IRB
- irradiated
- irradiation
- irreversible toxicity
- ixabepilone
- joint pain
- Karnofsky Performance Status
- laboratory test
- lapatinib
- laser
- laser surgery
- laser therapy
- lassitude
- late effects
- late-stage cancer
- latent
- laxative
- LEEP
- legal aid organization
- lesion
- lethargy
- letrozole
- leukopenia
- levels of evidence
- Lexapro
- libido
- lidocaine
- ligation
- linac
- linear accelerator
- lipoma
- lisofylline
- liver metastasis
- liver scan
- living will
- lobaplatin
- lobe
- lobectomy
- lobular carcinoma
- lobular carcinoma in situ
- lobule
- local anesthesia
- local cancer
- local therapy
- localization
- localized
- locally advanced cancer
- locally recurrent cancer
- lomustine
- loop electrosurgical excision procedure
- loop excision
- lorazepam
- low grade
- lubricant
- lumbar puncture
- lumpectomy
- lung metastasis
- luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist
- lymph
- lymph gland
- lymph node
- lymph node dissection
- lymph node drainage
- lymph node mapping
- lymph vessel
- lymphadenectomy
- lymphadenopathy
- lymphangiogram
- lymphangiography
- lymphatic basin
- lymphatic fluid
- lymphatic mapping
- lymphatic system
- lymphatic vessel
- lymphedema
- lymphography
- lymphoscintigraphy
- Lyrica
- lytic lesion
- macrocalcification
- magnetic resonance imaging
- magnetic resonance perfusion imaging
- magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging
- mainstream medicine
- maintenance therapy
- male breast cancer
- malignancy
- malignant
- malignant pleural effusion
- malnutrition
- mammary
- mammary dysplasia
- mammary gland
- mammogram
- mammography
- MammoSite
- Mammotome
- mantle field
- MAO inhibitor
- margin
- marker
- mass
- massage therapy
- mastectomy
- mastitis
- maternal
- maximum tolerated dose
- mean survival time
- measurable disease
- medial supraclavicular lymph node
- median
- median survival time
- Medicaid
- medical castration
- medical device
- medical nutrition therapy
- medical oncologist
- Medicare
- medicine
- medullary breast carcinoma
- mega-voltage linear accelerator
- megestrol
- melphalan
- meningeal metastasis
- menopause
- menorrhagia
- menstrual cycle
- menstrual period
- menstruation
- mental health
- mental health counselor
- meridian
- mesna
- meta-analysis
- metallic
- metastasectomy
- metastasis
- metastasize
- metastatic
- methotrexate
- metoclopramide
- metronomic therapy
- microcalcification
- micrometastasis
- microscopic
- milk duct
- mind/body exercise
- mindfulness relaxation
- Miraluma test
- mitigate
- modified radical mastectomy
- molecular marker
- molecular medicine
- molecular risk assessment
- molecularly targeted therapy
- monoamine oxidase inhibitor
- monoclonal antibody
- morbidity
- mortality
- MRI
- MRSI
- MTD
- mTOR
- mucositis
- multicenter study
- multicentric breast cancer
- multidisciplinary
- multidisciplinary opinion
- multidrug resistance
- multidrug resistance inhibition
- multifocal breast cancer
- music therapy
- mutation
- mutation carrier
- myalgia
- myelosuppression
- nanoparticle paclitaxel
- narcotic
- National Cancer Institute
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- National Institutes of Health
- natural history study
- naturopathy
- nausea
- NCCAM
- NCI
- NCI clinical trials cooperative group
- needle biopsy
- needle localization
- needle-localized biopsy
- negative axillary lymph node
- negative test result
- neoadjuvant therapy
- neoplasm
- nerve
- nerve block
- neurocognitive
- neurologic
- neuropathy
- neurotoxicity
- neurotoxin
- neutropenia
- NIH
- nipple
- nipple discharge
- nitrosourea
- NMRI
- node-negative
- node-positive
- nodule
- nonblinded
- nonconsecutive case series
- noninvasive
- nonmalignant
- nonmetastatic
- nonprescription
- nonrandomized clinical trial
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
- nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor
- nontoxic
- normal range
- normative
- NP
- NPO
- NSAID
- nuclear grade
- nuclear magnetic resonance imaging
- nuclear medicine scan
- nurse
- nurse practitioner
- nutrition
- nutrition therapy
- nutritional counseling
- nutritional status
- nutritional supplement
- nutritionist
- obese
- objective improvement
- objective response
- observation
- observational study
- obstruction
- off-label
- olaparib
- oncologist
- oncology
- oncology nurse
- oncology pharmacy specialist
- oncolysis
- ondansetron
- onset of action
- oophorectomy
- open biopsy
- open label study
- open resection
- operable
- opiate
- opioid
- opportunistic infection
- oral
- organ
- orthodox medicine
- osteolytic
- osteonecrosis of the jaw
- osteopenia
- osteoporosis
- OTC
- outcome
- outpatient
- ovarian
- ovarian ablation
- ovarian cancer
- ovarian suppression
- ovary
- over-the-counter
- overall survival rate
- overdose
- overexpress
- overweight
- ovulation
- PA
- paclitaxel
- paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation
- paclitaxel-loaded polymeric micelle
- Paget disease of the nipple
- pain threshold
- palliation
- palliative care
- palliative therapy
- palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia
- palonosetron hydrochloride
- palpable disease
- palpation
- palpitation
- pamidronate
- panic
- papillary tumor
- Paraplatin
- parenteral nutrition
- paroxetine hydrochloride
- PARP
- PARP inhibitor
- partial-breast irradiation
- partial mastectomy
- partial oophorectomy
- partial remission or partial response
- pastoral counselor
- paternal
- pathologic fracture
- pathological stage
- pathological staging
- pathologist
- pathology report
- patient advocate
- Paxil
- peau d'orange
- pedigree
- peer-review process
- peer-reviewed scientific journal
- perfusion magnetic resonance imaging
- perimenopausal
- periodic neutropenia
- perioperative
- peripheral neuropathy
- peripheral venous catheter
- personal health record
- personal medical history
- personalized medicine
- Pertuzumab
- PET scan
- pharmacist
- phase I/II trial
- phase I trial
- phase II/III trial
- phase II trial
- phase III trial
- phase IV trial
- phlebotomy
- photon beam radiation therapy
- phyllodes tumor
- physical examination
- physical therapist
- physical therapy
- physician
- physician assistant
- physiologic
- PI3 kinase inhibitor
- pilocarpine
- pilot study
- placebo
- placebo-controlled
- plastic surgeon
- plastic surgery
- population study
- positive axillary lymph node
- positive test result
- positron emission tomography scan
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- postmenopausal
- postoperative
- postremission therapy
- potentiation
- power of attorney
- PR
- PR+
- PR-
- practitioner
- precancerous
- preclinical study
- predictive factor
- pregabalin
- premalignant
- premature menopause
- premenopausal
- prescription
- prevention
- preventive
- preventive mastectomy
- primary care
- primary care doctor
- primary endpoint
- primary therapy
- primary treatment
- primary tumor
- Principal investigator
- prochlorperazine
- progesterone
- progesterone receptor
- progesterone receptor-negative
- progesterone receptor-positive
- progesterone receptor test
- progestin
- prognosis
- prognostic factor
- progression
- progression-free survival
- progressive disease
- Prolia
- proliferative index
- promegapoietin
- prophylactic
- prophylactic mastectomy
- prophylactic oophorectomy
- prophylactic surgery
- prophylaxis
- prospective
- prospective cohort study
- prosthesis
- protective factor
- protein
- protein-bound paclitaxel
- protein expression
- protein expression profile
- protocol
- proton
- proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging
- pruritus
- psychiatrist
- psychological
- psychologist
- psychosocial
- psychotherapy
- PTSD
- pump
- punch biopsy
- qi
- qigong
- quadrantectomy
- quality assurance
- quality of life
- radiation
- radiation brachytherapy
- radiation dermatitis
- radiation fibrosis
- radiation necrosis
- radiation nurse
- radiation oncologist
- radiation physicist
- radiation surgery
- radiation therapist
- radiation therapy
- radical lymph node dissection
- radical mastectomy
- radioactive
- radioactive drug
- radioactive seed
- radioisotope
- radiologic exam
- radiologist
- radiology
- radionuclide
- radionuclide scanning
- radiopharmaceutical
- radiosensitization
- radiosensitizer
- radiosurgery
- radiotherapy
- raloxifene
- raloxifene hydrochloride
- randomization
- randomized clinical trial
- receptor
- RECIST
- reconstructive surgeon
- reconstructive surgery
- recreational therapy
- recurrence
- recurrent cancer
- referral
- reflexology
- refractory
- refractory cancer
- regimen
- regional
- regional anesthesia
- regional cancer
- regional chemotherapy
- regional lymph node
- regional lymph node dissection
- registered dietician
- regression
- rehabilitation
- rehabilitation specialist
- relapse
- relative survival rate
- relaxation technique
- remission
- remission induction therapy
- remote brachytherapy
- research nurse
- research study
- resectable
- resected
- resection
- residual disease
- resistant cancer
- resorption
- respite care
- response rate
- retrospective cohort study
- retrospective study
- risk factor
- Rubex
- salpingo-oophorectomy
- salvage therapy
- samarium 153
- sargramostim
- scalpel
- scan
- scanner
- scintigraphy
- scintimammography
- sclerosing adenosis
- screening
- screening mammogram
- second-line therapy
- second-look surgery
- second primary cancer
- secondary cancer
- secrete
- sedative
- segmental mastectomy
- selection bias
- selective estrogen receptor modulator
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
- sentinel lymph node
- sentinel lymph node biopsy
- sentinel lymph node mapping
- sepsis
- sequential AC/Taxol-Trastuzumab regimen
- sequential treatment
- SERM
- sertraline
- Serzone
- sestamibi breast imaging
- sexuality
- sibling
- side effect
- silicone
- simple mastectomy
- simulation
- Single-agent therapy
- sleep disorder
- social service
- social support
- social worker
- sodium thiosulfate
- soft tissue
- solid tumor
- somatic
- somatic mutation
- sorafenib
- specialist
- specificity
- spiculated mass
- spinal anesthesia
- spinal block
- spiral CT scan
- spirituality
- sporadic cancer
- SSRI
- stable disease
- stage
- stage 0 breast carcinoma in situ
- stage 0 disease
- stage I breast cancer
- stage IA breast cancer
- stage IB breast cancer
- stage II breast cancer
- stage II breast cancer
- stage IIA breast cancer
- stage IIB breast cancer
- stage III breast cancer
- stage III lymphedema
- stage IIIA breast cancer
- stage IIIB breast cancer
- stage IIIC breast cancer
- stage IV breast cancer
- staging
- stamina
- standard of care
- standard therapy
- statistically significant
- stent
- stereotactic biopsy
- stereotactic radiosurgery
- sterile
- sternum
- steroid
- stress
- strontium
- study agent
- subcutaneous
- subcutaneous port
- subjective improvement
- subset analysis
- supplemental nutrition
- supplementation
- support group
- supportive care
- supraclavicular lymph node
- surgeon
- surgery
- surgical biopsy
- surgical menopause
- surgical oncologist
- survival rate
- symptom
- symptom management
- symptomatic
- synergistic
- synthetic
- syringe
- systemic
- systemic chemotherapy
- systemic disease
- systemic therapy
- TAC regimen
- tai chi
- tailored intervention
- talk therapy
- tamoxifen
- targeted therapy
- taxane
- Taxol
- Taxotere
- Tc 99m sulfur colloid
- technician
- terminal disease
- therapeutic
- therapeutic touch
- therapy
- thermography
- thiethylperazine
- thiotepa
- third-line therapy
- thrush
- time to progression
- tinnitus
- tissue
- tissue flap reconstruction
- TNM staging system
- tomography
- tomotherapy
- topical
- topical chemotherapy
- topoisomerase inhibitor
- total estrogen blockade
- total mastectomy
- total nodal irradiation
- total parenteral nutrition
- toxic
- toxicity
- tracer
- traditional acupuncture
- tranquilizer
- transdermal
- transfusion
- transitional care
- translational research
- trastuzumab
- trauma
- treatment field
- trigger
- trigger point acupuncture
- triple-negative breast cancer
- tumescent mastectomy
- tumor
- tumor antigen vaccine
- tumor board review
- tumor burden
- tumor debulking
- tumor load
- tumor marker
- tumor volume
- Tykerb
- ulcer
- ulceration
- ultrasound-guided biopsy
- ultrasound/ultrasonography
- ultraviolet radiation therapy
- uncontrolled study
- undifferentiated
- unilateral
- unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
- unresectable
- unresected
- upstaging
- urticaria
- VACB
- vaccine therapy
- vacuum-assisted biopsy or vacuum-assisted core biopsy
- Valium
- vancomycin
- vandetanib
- vascular endothelial growth factor-antisense oligonucleotide
- vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor
- vein
- Velban
- venipuncture
- venous sampling
- Versed
- vertebroplasty
- vinorelbine
- vital
- vomit
- watchful waiting
- wedge resection
- Wellcovorin
- Western medicine
- WGA study
- white blood cell
- whole cell vaccine
- whole genome association study
- wide local excision
- wire localization
- wound
- X-ray therapy
- Xanax
- Xeloda
- xerostomia
- Xgeva
- yoga
- ziconotide
- Zinecard
- Zofran
- zoledronic acid
- Zoloft
- Zometa

Living Beyond Breast Cancer is a national nonprofit organization that seeks to create a world that understands there is more than one way to have breast cancer. To fulfill its mission of providing trusted information and a community of support to those impacted by the disease, Living Beyond Breast Cancer offers on-demand emotional, practical, and evidence-based content. For over 30 years, the organization has remained committed to creating a culture of acceptance — where sharing the diversity of the lived experience of breast cancer fosters self-advocacy and hope. For more information, learn more about our programs and services.