| breast dose in mammography | <radiology> 180 mrad / view -- mid-breast dose, guideline: less than 1 rad for 2-view exam (12 Dec 1998) |
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| breast feeding | The ability of the breast to produce milk diminishes soon after childbirth without the stimulation of breastfeeding. Immunity factors in breast milk can help the baby to fight off infections. Breast milk contains vitamins, minerals, and enzymes which aid the baby's digestion. Breast and formula feeding can be used together. (12 Dec 1998) |
| breast infection | <microbiology> Inflammation of the breast tissue most often caused by a bacterial infection. Staphylococcus is the most common organism. This breast infection is seen most commonly in the immediate postpartum period (during breast-feeding). Treatment includes warm wet compresses to the site and oral antibiotics. (27 Sep 1997) |
| breast lump | <oncology, surgery> A breast lump that may be benign or cancerous. Examples of breast lumps include: breast abscess, fat necrosis, fibroadenoma, fibrocystic breast disease and breast cancer. A breast biopsy is the best way to determine the aetiology of a breast lump. Remember, 80 to 85% of all biopsies are benign. (13 Nov 1997) |
| breast mass | <oncology, surgery> A breast lump may be benign or cancerous. Examples of breast lumps include: breast abscess, fat necrosis, fibroadenoma, fibrocystic breast disease and breast cancer. A breast biopsy is the best way to determine the aetiology of a breast lump. Remember, 80 to 85% of all biopsies are benign. (27 Sep 1997) |
| breast neoplasms, male | Any neoplasms of the male breast. These occur infrequently in males in developed countries, the incidence being about 1% of that in females. Two-thirds of patients present with intraductal carcinoma. The average age of onset is 60 years for men. Orchiectomy was the standard treatment but it has been replaced by tamoxifen as the initial therapy since oestrogen-receptor-positive tumours are predominant in males. Orchiectomy and mastectomy may be used if initial drug therapy is not successful. The prognosis is worse than that for females. (12 Dec 1998) |
| breast pang | A paroxysmal thoracic pain, with a failing of suffocation and impending death, due, most often, to anoxia of the myocardium and precipitated by effort or excitement. (18 Nov 1997) |
| breast prosthesis | <oncology> An artificial breast form worn under clothing. (16 Dec 1997) |
| breast pump | A suction instrument for withdrawing milk from the breast. (05 Mar 2000) |
| breast self-examination | <procedure> A a regular, defined process of thorough examination of the breasts once a month to detect any changes or suspicious lumps. Exams should be practiced at the end of the period or seven days after the start of the period and be performed monthly at the same time. (09 Oct 1997) |
| breast thermography | <investigation> A special infrared study which measures the skin temperature across the breasts. Used in the evaluation of breast abscess, breast cancer or another inflammatory process. This test is being replaced by breast ultrasound (15 Nov 1997) |
| breast ultrasound | <investigation, radiology> A test which uses ultrasonic waves to scan the breast. Used to evaluate fibrocystic breast disease, breast implants or breast masses. (27 Sep 1997) |
| caked breast | Painful distention of the breast occurring during the latter days of pregnancy and the first days of lactation. Synonym: caked breast. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cancer, breast | Cancer of the tissue containing or involving the milk glands (mammary tissue). Breast cancer is diagnosed with self- and physician- examination of the breasts, mammography, ultrasound testing, and biopsy. There are many types of breast cancer that differ in their capability of spreading to other body tissues (metastasis). Treatment of breast cancer depends on the type and location of the breast cancer, as well as the age and health of the patient. The American Cancer Society recommends that a woman should have a baseline mammogram between the ages of 35 and 40 years. Between 40 and 50 years of age mammograms are recommended every other year. After age 50 years, yearly mammograms are recommended. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, breast, familial | A number of factors have been identified that increase the risk of breast cancer. One of the strongest of these risk factors is the history of breast cancer in a relative. About 15-20% of women with breast cancer have such a family history of the disease, clearly reflecting the participation of inherited (genetic) components in the development of some breast cancers. Dominant breast cancer suceptibility genes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, appear responsible for about 5% of all breast cancer. (12 Dec 1998) |