abnormal (ab-NOHR-mull) - Not normal, not usual.

acute (uh-KYOOT) - An illness or condition that occurs suddenly and does not last long. Not chronic.

advocate (ADD-voh-kit) - A person who speaks or acts in support of another person.

barriers (BARE-ee-yers) - Situations or feelings that stop a person from taking action.

benign (bee-NINE) - Not harmful, not cancer.

biopsy (BYE-opp-see) - An operation to remove a small piece of tissue from the body which is then checked for signs of disease.

breast self-exam (BSE) (brest self ig-ZAM) - A monthly check for signs of breast cancer that a woman can do herself.

cancer, cancerous (KAN-ser, KAN-ser-us) - Abnormal cells that grow and take over healthy cells.

carcinogen (kar-SIN-oh-jin) - Something that causes cancer.

cells (sels) - The smallest units of living matter that make up the tissue and organs of the body.

cervical cancer (SUR-vih-kul KAN-ser) - Cancer of the cervix.

cervix, cervical (SUR-viks, SUR-vi-kul) - The opening to the uterus, located at the back of the vagina. When a woman gives birth to a baby, the cervix opens to let the baby out.

check-up (CHEHK-up) - A visit to a health care provider for a general medical exam when a person is not sick.

chemotherapy (kee-moh-THAIR-uh-pee) - A treatment for cancer that uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells.

cholesterol (koh-LESS-tur-all) - It is found in fatty foods. A person's body also produces it. Cholesterol can build up in the body and cause heart disease.

chronic (KRON-ik) - An illness that lasts a long time.

clinical breast exam (KLIN-ih-kul brest ig-ZAM) - When a health care provider carefully feels a woman's breasts for signs of breast cancer.

colon (KOH-lin) - Part of the large intestine above the rectum.

colorectal cancer (koh-loh-REK-tahl KAN-ser) - Cancer of the colon and rectum.

colposcopy (kol-PAW-skoh-pee) - A medical exam where a special instrument is used to look closely at the cells of the vagina and the cervix and to check for cancer.

cone biopsy (kohn BYE-opp-see) - An operation to remove cancer cells from the cervix. The operation removes a cone-shaped piece of the cervix.

confidential (kon-fih-DEN-shull) - Private. If you have a confidential talk with someone, that person will not tell anyone else what was said. If a form is confidential, only the person who needs that form will read it. No one else will see the form.

consent form (kon-SENT form) - A paper a patient signs agreeing to have a medical treatment.

cure, curable (Kyoor, KYOOR-uh-bull) - To heal, to make well. A medicine or treatment that makes you healthy again. A disease that can be healed is called curable.

cyst (sist) - An abnormal lump or mass in the body that is filled with liquid or gas. Also called a growth.

detect, detection (dee-TEKT, dee-TEK-shun) - To notice, to discover, to find out something is there.

diabetes (die-a-BEE-teez) - A chronic disease where there is too much sugar in a person's blood. Diabetes can cause many health problems.

diagnose, diagnosis (die-egg-NOHS, die-egg-NOH-sis) - To find out the nature of a sickness or disease. To figure out which disease a person has. A health care provider will examine a person, ask about symptoms, and run medical tests to make a diagnosis.

disease (diz-EEZ) - Sickness or illness.

disease prevention (diz-EEZ prih-VEHN-shun) - Taking action to stop a disease from occurring or spreading.

dysplasia (dis-PLAYZ-shuh) - Cells that are not normal. These abnormal cells are not necessarily cancer, but may be precancerous.

early detection (UR-lee dih-TEK-shun) - To find out soon. It often refers to medical tests that can find cancer early, when it can most easily be treated.

estrogen (EH-stroh-jin) - A female hormone.

fact (fakt) - Information that is true.

family medical history (FAM-ih-lee MED-ih-kul HIH-stohr-ee) - A record of all health problems in a person's family including parents, brothers, sisters, and grandparents.

fiber (FYE-burr) - A type of food that helps the body eliminate waste.

Food Guide Pyramid (food gyed PEER-uh-mid) - A chart that shows how much of each type of food people should eat every day to stay healthy.

follow-up (FOL-low up) - To observe, to watch closely. A follow-up exam is one that comes after a treatment or a previous exam.

genes (jeens) - Genes are in all the cells in the body. Genes tell what characteristics a person will have. There are genes for hair color, eye color, body type, and thousands of other characteristics. Genes are passed on from parents to their children. Some genes can make people more likely to get certain diseases.

genetics (jih-NEH-tiks) - The study of genes and characteristics that are passed on from parents to their children. The study of heredity.

glands (glanz) - Organs that make chemicals or hormones for the body.

gynecologist (guy-nuh-KOLL-o-jist) - A doctor specially trained in women's reproductive health.

health care provider (hehlth kare pro-VYE-dur) - Anyone who provides health care services. This may be a doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, nurse's aide, dentist, or other person.

health promotion (hehlth pruh-MOH-shun) - To increase the chance of good health. Taking action to improve your health.

health protection (hehlth pruh-TEK-shun) - Taking action to prevent injury or illness.

heart disease (hahrt diz-EEZ) - Weakening of the heart or blood vessels that can lead to chest pain, heart attack, or stroke. It is also called cardiovascular disease.

hereditary, heredity (huh-RED-uh-tare-ee, huh-RED-uh-tee) - Genes and characteristics that are passed on from parents to their children.

hormones (HOHR-moans) - Chemicals produced in the body. Hormones control the action of some cells and organs in the body.

human papilloma virus (HPV) (HUE-man pap-i-LOH-ma VYE-rus) - A virus that may cause warts on the vagina or penis and may increase a woman's risk of cervical cancer. This virus can be passed from one person to another during sex.

hypertension (hi-per-TEN-shun) - Also called high blood pressure, this is a disease that can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.

hysterectomy (hiss-tur-ECK-toh-mee) - An operation to remove a woman's uterus. This operation may be done to treat cancer of the cervix that has spread.

illness (IL-ness) - Sickness.

immune system (ihm-MYOON SIS-tem) - Immune means to be protected against something. The immune system is designed to protect the body from disease.

impotent, impotence (IHM-poh-tent, IHM-poh-tens) - When a man cannot have an erection and engage in sexual intercourse.

incidence rate (IN-sih-dens rate) - The number of new cases of a disease in a group of people over a specific period of time.

informed consent (in-FORMED kun-SENT) - Fully understanding a treatment before agreeing to have it.

invasive procedure (in-VAY-sive proh-SEE-jer) - A medical treatment or test where a health care provider must put an instrument inside a patient's body or under the skin.

large intestine (larj in-TESS-tin) - A tube-like part of the body in which food waste travels to the rectum. The colon and rectum are also known as the large intestine.

LEEP (leep) - A treatment to remove abnormal cells from the cervix. A fine wire loop with a special electric current is used to remove the abnormal cells.

lifestyle (LYFE-styel) - The choices people make about the way they live.

lump (lump) - A mass in the body formed by a cyst or tumor. It may or may not be cancer.

lumpectomy (lump-EHK-toh-mee) - An operation to remove a lump in the breast. A treatment for breast cancer.

lymph nodes (limf nohds) - Small bean-shaped organs located along the lymphatic system. Cancer that enters the lymphatic system may be found in the nodes. Also called lymph glands.

lymphatic system (lim-FAT-ik SISS-tem) - The tissue and organs that produce, store, and carry cells that fight infection and disease.

malignant (muh-LIGG-nent) - Cells found to be cancerous, which can spread to other parts of the body.

mammogram, mammography (MAMM-oh-gram, mam-OGG-ruh-fee) - An x-ray of the breasts to check for cancer.

mastectomy (mas-TEHK-toh-mee) - An operation to remove a woman's breast. A treatment for breast cancer.

medical history (MED-ih-kul HISS-tohr-ee) - A record of all health problems and medical treatments a person has had. It also lists health problems that run in a person's family.

menopause (MEN-oh-paws) - The time of a woman's life when menstrual periods stop. Also called "the change of life."

menstrual cycle (MEN-stroo-uhl SYE-kul) - The hormone changes that lead up to a woman having a menstrual period. For most women, one cycle takes 28 days.

menstrual period (MEN-stroo-uhl PEER-ee-ihd) - The time when blood from a woman's uterus flows out of her body through her vagina. This happens at the end of her menstrual cycle each month. Also called her period.

metastasis, metastasize (meh-TASS-tuh-sis, meh-TASS-tuh-syze) - When cancer spreads from one part of the body to another.

mortality rate (mohr-TAL-uh-tee rate) - The proportion of people in a community that die from a disease.

myth (mith) - Information that is not true.

nutrition (new-TRIH-shun) - The process by which the body takes in and uses food and drink for promoting growth and replacing worn or injured tissue.

obstacles (OBB-stuh-kuls) - Objects or feelings that get in the way. Situations that block a person from making change.

oncologist (on-KOL-uh-jist) - A medical doctor specially trained to detect and treat cancer.

organs (OHR-ghens) - Parts of the body made of tissue designed to perform special functions. For example, the heart, lungs and uterus are organs.

ovary, ovaries (OH-vah-ree, OH-vah-reez) - A part of the female reproductive system. A pair of glands that produce eggs and hormones.

palpate, palpation (PAL-payt, pal-PAY-shun) - To examine by touching. A health care provider presses on the surface of the body to feel the organs or tissue underneath for lumps or unusual changes.

Pap test, Pap smear (Pap test, Pap smeer) - An examination of cells from a woman's cervix to see if they are normal or abnormal. A test to look for cancer of the cervix.

penis (PEE-nis) - An organ of the male reproductive system through which urine and semen leave the body.

precancerous (pre-KAN-ser-us) - Not cancer but may become cancer in the future.

prevent, prevention (pree-VEHNT, pree-VEHN-shun) - Taking action to stop a sickness or disease from happening.

preventive care (pree-VEHN-tiv kare) - Trying to prevent or avoid getting sick by changing health habits and getting regular check-ups.

prognosis (prog-NOH-sis) - For a sick person, the chance of getting better. A good prognosis means a person is likely to be healthy again. A bad prognosis means a person will probably not get well.

prostate cancer (PROSS-tate KAN-ser) - Cancer of the prostate gland.

prostate gland (PROSS-tate gland) - A gland in men that makes the fluid that is part of semen.

radiation therapy (ray-dee-AE-shun THAIR-a-pee) - Treatment with high-energy rays that kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy that uses a machine to aim high energy rays at cancer is called external radiation therapy. Internal radiation therapy is the placement of radioactive material inside the body as close as possible to the cancer.

radiologist (ray-dee-AHL-oh-jist) - A doctor specially trained to use and read x-rays of the body.

rectal exam (REK-tul ig-ZAM) - When a health care provider feels inside the rectum for abnormal lumps or changes. This exam can help find colorectal and prostate cancer at an early stage.

rectum (REK-tum) - The last 6 to 8 inches of the large intestine. The rectum stores solid waste until it leaves the body through the anus.

recur (ree-KURR) - To return, to happen again. When a disease comes back after going away for a while.

remission (ree-MISH-un) - When the signs of a disease go away. Sometimes the disease comes back. Sometimes it does not. Cancer often goes into remission.

reproductive system (ree-proh-DUHK-tiv SISS-tem) - Reproduction means to reproduce, to bring into existence. The male and female reproductive systems are designed to work together to make a baby.

respiratory system (RESS-pur-a-tohr-ee SISS-tem) - Respiration means to breathe air in and out. The respiratory system is designed for breathing oxygen in and sending it throughout the body.

risk factors (risk FAK-tors) - Characteristics or behaviors that increase a person's chance of getting a disease.

screening test (SKREE-ning test) - A medical test that can find disease early, before a person shows signs of illness.

scrotum (SKROH-tum) - The bag of skin that holds a man's testicles.

secondary prevention (SEK-uhn-dare-ee prih-VEHN-shun) - Treatment for disease or illness so that it does not get worse.

semen (SEE-men) - The fluid that comes out of a man's penis during sex. Semen contains sperm and fluid made by the prostate gland.

sexually transmitted disease (STD) (SEK-shu-ahl-ee trans-MIT-ed diz-EEZ) - Any disease that can be passed to another person during sex.

sigmoidoscopy (sig-moyd-OS-kuh-pee) - A exam to look for cancer of the colon or rectum. During this exam a doctor uses a thin lighted tube to look inside the colon and rectum.

speculum (SPEK-you-lum) - A medical instrument that is put inside a woman's vagina to hold it open, so that a health care provider can see the cervix inside. It is used during a Pap test.

strategy (STRAT-uh-jee) - A plan of action.

stress (stress) - A feeling a person has of strain or pressure or worry.

support network (suh-PORT NET-work) - A group of people that provide help when it is needed. Family, friends, a doctor, and co-workers may be part of a support network.

survival rate (sur-VYE-vul rate) - The percentage of people who live for five or more years after getting treatment for a cancer.

swab (swahb) - A small brush used to collect cells from the cervix. It is used during a Pap test.

symptoms (SIMP-tums) - Feelings in the body that may indicate signs of sickness or disease.

testicles, testicular (TESS-tih-kuls, tess-TIK-you-ler) - Two oval-shaped sex glands that are inside the scrotum at the base of a man's penis. The testicles make semen and the male hormone testosterone. Also called testes.

testicular self-exam (tess-TIK-you-ler self ig-ZAM) - A monthly check for signs of cancer of the testicles that a man can do himself.

therapy (THAIR-uh-pee) - The treatment of disease or sickness.

tissue (TISH-you) - A group of cells that work together to make up parts of the body.

treat, treatment (treet, TREET-ment) - To give medical aid. What a health care provider offers to help a patient get well.

tumor (TOO-mer) - A swelling. An abnormal mass or lump in the body. A tumor may or may not be cancerous. Also called a growth.

ultrasound (UL-trah-sownd) - A medical test in which sound waves are bounced off tissue in the body to make a picture. Ultrasound is used to look at lumps in the breast for signs of cancer. Ultrasound can be used for other diagnoses.

uterus (U-tur-us) - A woman's womb. The reproductive organ a baby grows in before it is ready to be born.

UVA, UVB (u-vee-ae, u-vee-bee) - The rays from the sun that can cause skin cancer.

vagina (vuh-JYE-nuh) - The part of a woman's body that leads to the uterus. This is where the baby comes out when it is born.

virus (VYE-russ) - A tiny germ that may cause sickness.

Health Education and Adult Literacy
HEAL: Breast & Cervical Cancer

Developed by World Education
September 2000