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A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-L-M-N-O-P-R-S-T-U-V-W-X
Absolute
risk:
the
probability of an event in a defined
population over a specified period of time.
Absorb / Absorption:
to
take in; taking up of liquids by solids;
passage of a substance through some surface
of the body into body fluids and tissues.
ACTH:
adrenocorticotropic
hormone (or corticotrophin); a polypeptide
hormone secreted by the pituitary gland;
part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal
axis.
Adipogenesis:
the formation of fat or fatty
tissue.
Adipose tissue:
a connective tissue consisting
chiefly of fat cells that come from dietary
fats or produced by the body; functions as
an endocrine organ, producing hormones such
as leptin, etc.
Adiposity:
obesity.
Adrenarche:
underarm/pubic hair growth during
puberty induced by a normal increase in
activity of the adrenal cortex which
releases adrenal androgens.
Advocate:
one who promotes an issue or supports a
particular cause; to plead on behalf of
someone or something.
Aliquot:
a measured portion of a sample collected
for analysis; the sample could be biologic
(blood, urine, etc.) or environmental.
Alkylphenols:
chemicals used in the production of
detergents, plastics and some pesticides;
tend to persist in the environment and can
have estrogen-like properties.
Analyte:
the substance measured by a laboratory
test.
Androgen:
a generic term for hormones that stimulate
the development of male secondary sex
characteristics.
Aneuploidy:
the state of having an abnormal
number of chromosomes.
Angiogenesis:
the formation of new blood vessels;
important in tumor growth.
Anthropometry:
measurements of the human body:
height, weight, skin fold thickness, etc.
Antibodies:
special proteins that are made by
the immune system to attack and neutralize
foreign substances called antigens.
Anti-estrogen:
a substance that blocks the activity
of estrogen.
Antigens:
foreign substances (viruses, bacteria or
abnormal cell changes) that are attacked by
the immune system.
Antineoplastic:
preventing the development,
maturation or spread of cancer (neoplastic)
cells.
Apoptosis:
programmed cell death; a process
that limits cell growth.
Aromatase:
an enzyme or group of enzymes that converts
androgens (testosterone) into estrogens.
Asbestos:
a strong, non-combustible mineral fiber
used in the past for fireproofing and
insulation; it can pollute air and water
and cause cancer or asbestosis when
inhaled.
Atrazine:
a widely used agricultural herbicide;
mainly used on corn and soybean crops.
B cells
(also called
B lymphocytes): white blood cells that
produce antibodies and protect against
infection and disease.
Bacteria:
any of a large group of single-cell,
microscopic organisms that live in soil,
water, plants, organic matter, animals
and/or people; some can cause disease.
BCA
(Breast Cancer
Alliance
of Greater Cincinnati):
a breast cancer advocacy and
educational organization founded in 1994.
BCERC
(Breast Cancer & the
Environment
Research Centers):
funded
by the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences and the National Cancer
Institute; centers are based at the
University of California-San Francisco,
University of Cincinnati, Michigan State
University and Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Benign proliferative breast disease:
a group of non-cancerous conditions
that may increase the risk of developing
breast cancer; examples include ductal
hyperplasia, lobular hyperplasia and
papillomas.
Benign tumor:
a non-cancerous growth that does not
invade nearby tissue or spread to other
parts of the body.
Benzene:
a carcinogenic compound widely used in the
chemical industry; also found in tobacco
smoke, vehicle emissions and gasoline
fumes.
Benzo(a)pyrene:
a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
found in coal tar, automobile exhaust
(especially diesel engines), wood smoke and
charbroiled foods; causes changes in the
chromosomes of a gene(s) (mutagenic) and is
highly carcinogenic.
BFR
(Brominated
Flame
Retardants): over 70
variants are produced to treat electronics,
furniture and clothing; some are considered
persistent organic pollutants which are
known to accumulate in the body.
Bile:
a
secretion of the liver; bile is stored in
the gallbladder, discharged into the
duodenum (small intestine) during eating,
aiding the digestion of lipids.
Bioaccumulation:
the increase in concentration of a
substance(s) in an organism or a part,
e.g., fat tissues, of the organism; the
organism has a higher concentration of the
substance than the concentration in the
organism’s surrounding environment.
Bioconcentration:
bioaccumulation of substances taken
in by the organism from water only; the
rate of uptake from water is greater than
the rate of excretion.
Bioinformatics:
the science of managing and
analyzing biological data using advanced
computing techniques; especially important
in analyzing genome research data.
Biological monitoring:
the periodic measurement of toxic
substances or their metabolites in samples
of blood, tissues, secretions, excretions
(urine, stool, breast milk, seminal fluid)
or exhaled air.
Biologically effective dose:
the amount of a deposited or
absorbed chemical that reaches the cells or
target site where an adverse effect occurs
or where the chemical interacts with a
membrane surface.
Biomagnification
(or
Bioamplification):
the increase in concentration of a
substance in a food chain (not an
organism); POPs are compounds that
biomagnify. (See Persistent Organic
Pollutants.)
Biomarker:
a
substance detected in the blood, urine,
other body fluids and/or tissues used to
measure or indicate exposure to or
alterations caused by a chemical compound;
also used to detect the presence/progress
of a disease (tumor marker).
Biomarker of effect:
a substance detected in body
fluids and/or tissues used to measure or
indicate a biological response to an
environmental chemical which gives a
measure of
toxic effect; biological responses may be
at the molecular, cellular or whole
organism level.
Biomarker of exposure:
a substance detected in body
fluids and/or tissues used to measure or
indicate
exposure to a chemical compound.
Bioremediation:
any process that uses
microorganisms, fungi, green plants or
their enzymes to clean a contaminated
environment to its original condition.
BMI
(Body
Mass
Index): used to gauge whether
or not a person is overweight; it is
calculated by dividing a person’s weight
(kilograms) by her/his height (meters2).
BPA
(Bisphenol A):
used
in the production of epoxy resins that line
food cans, bottle tops and water supply
pipes; also used in production of
polycarbonate plastics found in many food
and drink packaging; known to have
estrogenic effects.
BRCA1 and BRCA2:
two of the primary genes involved in
breast cancer; classified as tumor
suppressor genes.
Caloric restriction:
regulation of the consumption of
calories.
Cancer:
a term for diseases in which
abnormal cells divide without control;
cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and
can spread through the bloodstream and
lymphatic system to other parts of the body
(metastasize).
Carcinogen:
a substance that causes cancer.
Carcinogenesis:
a process by which normal/healthy cells
turn into cancer cells.
Carcinoma:
a
cancerous growth made up of epithelial
cells: cells from tissues that form the
covering around organs, such as lung,
liver, or breast, or the lining of blood
vessels.
Carcinoma
in
situ:
a cancer that involves only the
cells in which it began and has not spread
to nearby tissues.
Case control:
a type of epidemiology study design in
which persons with and without a disease
(or exposure of interest) are studied to
identify factors associated with the
disease.
CDC
(Centers
for
Disease Control and
Prevention):
a major component of the US Dept.
of Health and Human Services; provides
facilities and services for the
investigation, identification, prevention
and control of disease.
Cell:
the
basic unit of all living things; each cell
contains essential components enclosed by a
membrane.
Cell differentiation:
a process by which immature/ unspecialized
cells become mature/specialized, i.e. have
a specific function.
Cell proliferation:
an increase in the number of cells as a
result of cell division.
Chemoprevention:
the use of dietary substances and/or drugs
to delay the development of cancer or stop
it from coming back.
Chemotherapy:
treatment
of infections and other diseases with
chemical agents/drugs.
Chromatin:
mass of genetic material (DNA
and proteins) compacted in the cell
nucleus; it forms chromosomes.
Chromosome:
a long strand of DNA that contains about 1,000 genes which carry
hereditary information; there are 46
chromosomes in each cell of the body,
except reproductive cells (egg and sperm)
that contain only 23 chromosomes.
Clinical trial:
a type of research study that uses
volunteers to test new methods of
screening, prevention, diagnosis or
treatment of a disease; also called a
clinical study.
Cohort:
a collection or sampling of
individuals who share a common
characteristic (e.g., the same age group)
or experience (e.g., employment in a
particular industry during or for a
specified period).
Complementary and alternative medicine:
forms of treatment that are used in
addition (complementary) or instead of
(alternative) standard medical treatments;
examples include dietary supplements,
mega-dose vitamins, herbal preparations,
special teas, acupuncture, massage therapy,
spiritual healing, meditation, etc.
Confidence interval (CI):
a measure of the reliability of a
statistical parameter (for example a
population mean); reported as ±
some number or as a numerical range.
The CI is reported for a specified
confidence level, most commonly 90%, 95% or
99%.
Confidence level:
reflects
the certainty that the statistic being
presented is accurate; reported as a
percentage, e.g., 90%, 95% or 99%.
Confounding:
a variable that is associated with the
independent and dependent variables in a
statistical analysis; confounders must be
controlled for in statistical analyses to
avoid making a false conclusion about a
probable causal relation between the two
variables.
Congeners:
two
or more things that are similar or closely
related in structure, function or origin;
chemical compounds similar in composition
and effect.
COTC
(Community Outreach &
Translation
Core): a component of the
Breast Cancer & the Environment Research
Centers; responsible for integrating breast
cancer advocates into the BCERCs and
communicating research findings to the
non-scientific public and policy analysts.
Corticosteroids / Corticosterone:
a
hormone of the adrenal cortex; it
influences carbohydrate, potassium and
sodium metabolism; it is essential for
normal absorption of glucose, the formation
of glycogen in the liver and tissues, and
the normal utilization of carbohydrates by
the tissues.
Cotinine:
a major metabolite of nicotine found in
blood and urine; currently regarded as the
best biomarker for exposure of nonsmokers
to environmental tobacco smoke.
Critical period:
a time in the early stages of an organism’s
life during which it displays a heightened
sensitivity to certain environmental
stimuli; the organism develops in
particular ways due to experiences at this
time.
Cross sectional:
a
type of epidemiology study design in which
a randomly selected sample of persons from
a community, industry or population are
studied to assess the factors associated
with the incidence or prevalence of a
disease/condition.
Cultural diet:
a diet given to offspring
in
utero and throughout their lifespan.
Cutaneous breast cancer:
cancer that has spread from the breast to
the skin.
Cytotoxic therapy:
drug treatment that is designed to inhibit
the proliferation of cells or to
selectively destroy abnormal cells.
DCIS
(ductal
carcinoma
in
situ
or intraductal carcinoma):
a non-invasive, pre-cancerous
condition in which abnormal cells are found
in the lining of a breast duct; the
abnormal cells have not spread outside the
duct to other tissues in the breast.
DCIS may become invasive cancer and
spread to other tissues; at this time, it
is not known how to predict which lesions
will become invasive.
DDT (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane):
the first modern pesticide; banned
in the U.S.
in the early 1970s because of its
persistence and toxicity in the
environment.
Dermal:
relating to the skin (epidermis).
DES
(diethylstilbestrol):
an
artificial estrogen used in the past to
prevent miscarriage; daughters of women who
took DES
have a higher risk of vaginal cancers.
DHHS
(US Department of Health &
Human Services):
a cabinet-level department of the
US
government responsible for the functions of
various federal social welfare programs,
health delivery agencies and research
institutes.
Differentiation:
the acquisition of functions and forms
different from those of the original; in cancer,
differentiated tumor cells resemble normal
cells and tend to grow slower than
undifferentiated or poorly differentiated
tumor cells which lack the structure and
function of normal cells and grow faster.
Dioxin (TCDD):
a contaminant of the herbicide 2,4,5-T;
widely used throughout the world as a
defoliant and for weed control; highly
toxic to humans and stable in the
environment.
DMBA
(dimethyl benz(a)anthracene):
an
experimental carcinogen, not found in
nature, synthesized in the lab to be used
as a test carcinogen.
DMBA serves as a model carcinogen
for the class of polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs), which include many
carcinogens; DMBA-generated breast cancer
in the lab closely mimics human tissue
changes.
DNA
(deoxyribonucleic
acid):
the molecule inside the cell that
carries genetic information and is passed
on from one generation to the next.
DNA
adduct:
the binding of an environmental
chemical with
DNA, causing DNA damage; sometimes used as biomarkers of effect
in research.
Dose dependent:
the
effect of a chemotherapeutic agent or
environmental toxin is proportionate to the
treatment or exposure dose, respectively.
Dose limiting (side effects):
drug
reaction(s) that prevent administering the
drug at a higher dosage.
Dose rate:
the rate at which a drug or toxin is
administered over a given period of time.
Double blinded:
a type of clinical study in which neither
the medical/research staff nor the study
participants know whether individual
participants are receiving the study
treatment or placebo.
Ductal extension:
measured
as the distance from the midpoint of the
lymph node to the leading edge of the
ductal tree.
Ductal tree:
refers to the branch-like
formation of the mammary gland ducts.
Eligibility (or inclusion)
criteria:
requirements
that must be met for an individual to be
included in a research study; examples
include age or type and stage of cancer.
Endocrine disruptors:
a diverse group of environmental chemicals
that are capable of interfering with
hormones produced in the body; also called
xenoestrogens.
Endocrine system:
a network of ductless glands and
other structures in the body that secrete
hormones directly into the blood, affecting
the function of specific organs and
processes like metabolism and growth.
Endocrine therapy:
treatment
that adds, blocks or removes hormones in
order to slow or stop the growth of certain
cancers (such as breast or prostate); also
called hormone therapy, hormonal therapy or
hormone treatment.
Endocrinology:
the study of the anatomic,
physiologic and pathologic characteristics
of the endocrine system and the treatment
of endocrine problems.
Endogenous:
originating or produced within the organism
or one of its parts. (The opposite is exogenous.)
Endometrium:
the layer of tissue that lines the uterus.
Endothelial:
a type of cell found in the lining of blood
vessels, lymph nodes and the heart.
Enterohepatic circulation:
refers
to the circulation of bile from the liver
(where it is produced) to the small
intestine (where it aids in the digestion
of fats and other substances) and then back
to the liver.
Environment:
any and all conditions external to an
organism that can affect its life,
development and/or survival.
Enzyme:
a substance that speeds up chemical
reactions in organic matter, including the
body; enzymes act on substrates to catalyze
chemical reactions.
EPA (Environmental
Protection Agency):
develops
and enforces national standards and
regulations that implement environmental
laws enacted by Congress.
Epidemiology:
the
study of the patterns of diseases in human
populations and the factors that influence
the incidence, severity, morbidity and
mortality of diseases.
Epigenetic:
modifications to the structure of the DNA, but not the DNA
sequence, which result in changes in gene
function (the organism’s phentoype).
Epithelial cells:
cells
arranged in one or more layers that form
part of a covering or lining of a body
surface; these cells usually adhere to each
other along their edges and surfaces.
Epithelium:
membranous
tissue composed of one or more layers of
cells
(epithelial cells), forming the covering of most internal
and external surfaces of the body as well
as the lining of vessels, body cavities,
glands and organs.
Estradiol:
the most potent naturally occurring human
form of the hormone estrogen; it is
critical to sexual and reproductive
functioning and bone structure.
Estrogens:
the
family of hormones that promote the
development of female secondary sex
characteristics.
Estrogen receptor (ER):
protein normally found in mammary
cells to which estrogens attach and thereby
exert their biological function.
Estrone:
the weaker form of the hormone
estrogen that is secreted by the ovaries
and stored in fatty tissues.
Estrus cycle:
the recurring physiologic changes that are
induced by reproductive hormones in most
mammalian placental females; estrus (or
heat) is signaled to the males of the
species when ovulation is imminent.
(Humans
undergo a menstrual cycle in which the
ovulation process is concealed.)
ER negative cancer:
breast cancer cells that do not have the
estrogen receptor; these ER-negative tumors
do not need estrogen to grow and usually do
not respond to hormone (anti-estrogen)
therapy.
ER positive cancer:
breast
cancer cells that have the estrogen
receptor; these ER-positive tumors need
estrogen to grow and usually do respond to
hormone (anti-estrogen) therapy that blocks
ER function and subsequent tumor growth.
Etiology:
origin or cause(s) as in the cause(s)
of a disease or abnormal
condition; factors which produce or
predispose toward a certain disease or
disorder.
ETS (environmental
tobacco smoke):
ambient smoke produced by persons smoking
cigarettes; also known as second-hand
smoke.
Exclusion criteria:
eligibility criteria used to exclude
individuals from participating in a study,
often because a pre-existing condition puts
the individual at-risk in the study
protocol or the condition potentially
interferes with the study outcome.
Excretion:
the process of eliminating waste products
of metabolism and other non-useful
materials from an organism.
Exogenous:
originating from or produced outside
of the organism.
Experimental design:
a type of research study design that alters
a risk factor or
Exposure:
contact of the outer or
inner parts of an organism to a biologic,
chemical or physical agent.
Exposure assessment:
prescribed documentation of an
environmental agent’s contact with and
entry into an organism (especially the
human body); focuses on sources and
concentrations of the agent(s) in the
environment, exposure pathways and probable
internal dose.
Exposure
pathway:
probable routes by which an organism comes
in contact with a biologic, chemical or
physical agent; refers to the behaviors of
the organism that expose it to the agent as
well as the agent’s characteristics that
enable it to come into contact with the
organism.
Extracellular:
outside
the cell(s).
Familial cancers:
cancers that
occur in families in which a mutated
gene, associated with an elevated risk of
developing a particular cancer(s), is
passed on from one generation to the next.
(BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are examples:
If a
woman inherits one of these genes, she has
a higher risk of developing breast and/or
ovarian cancer.)
Family history:
a
record of an individual’s current and past
illnesses and those of her/his
grandparents, parents, aunts/uncles,
siblings, children and other family
members;
can be used by geneticists and
genetic counselors to assess risk for
certain diseases.
Fatty acids:
building blocks of fat, essential for cell
energy and growth.
Saturated Fatty Acids:
found in
animal fats and tropical oils (palm and
coconut); can raise the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Polyunsaturated Fatty
Acids:
found mainly in fish,
corn, soybean and safflower oil; may help
reduce cholesterol levels. (See also
Omega-3 fatty acids.)
Fetal programming:
an
early stimulus or insult operating at a
critical or sensitive period of prenatal
development that results in a long term
change in the structure or function of the
organism.
Fibrocystic breast disease:
non-cancerous
breast tissue build-up; although, some
types of fibrocystic breast tissue changes
can lead to an increased risk for breast
cancer.
Fine needle aspiration (FNA):
the removal of fluid or tissue with
a needle for examination under a
microscope; also called needle biopsy.
FISH (fluorescent
in
situ hybridization):
a
laboratory technique used to determine the
presence/amount of a certain gene in a
cell.
Focus group:
a qualitative research technique in
which an experienced moderator leads about
8-10 participants through a semi-structured
discussion on a select topic.
Gavage:
administration
of a liquid or semi-liquid through a tube,
inserted in the nose and passed down the
throat and into the stomach
Genes:
pieces
of DNA,
or heredity units, which are passed from
parents to their children; genes contain
the information for making specialized
proteins that are responsible for specific
traits, such as eye color, height, etc.
Gene knockout:
a laboratory term used to describe a
type of mouse or cells whose DNA sequence has been intentionally deleted or
inactivated for research purposes.
Genetic counseling:
a general process in which a trained
genetic counselor documents generations of
an individual’s family history (pedigree)
to assess their or their off-springs’ risk
of a select disease(s)/disorder(s); based
on the family history, the pros/cons of
genetic testing may be discussed and/or the
results interpreted.
Genetic markers:
alterations in
DNA
that may indicate an increased risk of
developing a specific disease or disorder.
Genetic susceptibility:
an
inherited increased risk of developing a
certain disease or disorder.
Genetic testing:
analysis of
DNA
to look for genetic alteration(s) that may
indicate an increased risk for developing a
disease(s) or disorder.
Genome:
the
complete genetic material of an organism.
Genomics:
the comprehensive study of whole
sets of genes and their interactions.
Genotype:
the genetic makeup/constitution of an organism; distinguished from its
physical appearance (phenotype).
Germline mutation:
a
gene mutation, present in the egg or sperm,
that can be passed from parent to a child.
Glucocorticoids:
a general classification
of adrenal cortical hormones; primarily
active in protecting against stress and in
affecting protein and carbohydrate
metabolism.
Glucose:
sugar, a source of energy; formed
during digestion and the metabolism of
carbohydrates in the body.
Gonadotropins:
hormones secreted by the pituitary
gland; capable of promoting gonadal
(ovaries and testes) growth and function.
Habitus:
the physical characteristics of a
person.
H
and E:
a specific immunohistochemical stain
in which
hematoxylin
and
eosin are used to stain normal
and pathologic structures in a
cross-section of the mammary gland.
Herbicide:
a chemical that destroys plants and
weeds.
Histology:
the
science concerned with fine cell
structures, tissues and organs in relation
to their function.
Homeostasis:
the property of a living
organism
to regulate its internal environment so as
to maintain a stable, constant condition,
i.e., equilibrium.
Hormonal profile:
analysis of a substance (generally serum)
to determine the levels of progesterone,
testosterone, ß-estradiol, cortisol, DHEA-S
and melatonin.
Hormone:
a chemical substance produced and
secreted by an endocrine (ductless) gland;
transmitted by the blood to another tissue
on which it has a specific effect.
Hydrolysis:
any chemical reaction in which water
is one of the reactants; the combination of
water with salt to produce an acid and a
base; the reverse of neutralization.
Hyperplasia:
when cells in an organ are growing faster
than normal.
Hyperplastic:
relating
to hyperplasia; the state of having an
increase in number of normal cells in a
tissue or organ.
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis:
a complex, multi-directional pathway
between the hypothalamus of the brain, the
pituitary gland and the adrenal gland;
controls
reactions to
stress
and regulates various body processes
including
digestion,
the
immune system,
mood, sexuality and energy usage.
Hypothesis:
a best estimation, based on
scientific knowledge and assumptions, of
the results of an experiment; it usually
describes the anticipated relationship
among variables in an experiment.
A scientific hypothesis must be 1)
testable and 2) falsifiable.
Immunohistochemistry:
analytical methods based on dyes and
antibodies, used to locate and identify
markers in cancer tissues.
Imprinting:
events during
gestation
and/or early post-natal stages that may
have long term consequences for health.
Incidence rate:
the number of people who develop a
disease divided by the number of people at
risk of developing the disease in a
specific time period.
Indolent:
non-invasive or slow growing.
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC):
the most common type of breast cancer; the
cancer begins in the milk ducts and invades
other tissues.
Inguinal:
relating
to the groin.
Inhibitor:
a drug or compound that slows
or blocks biological, chemical or enzymatic
action.
Initiated cell:
a cell which has undergone genetic
changes leading to cancer after an
environmental or chemical insult.
In situ
cancer:
early stage cancer that has not spread.
Insulin:
a hormone secreted by the beta cells
of the islets of Langerhans of the
pancreas;
essential for metabolism and
regulation of blood sugar;
causes liver and muscle cells to take in
glucose and store it in the form of
glycogen; causes fat cells to take in blood
lipids and turn them into triglycerides.
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF):
a hormone, with other
growth-promoting factors, that plays a role
in the development of the mammary gland;
also known as somatomedin.
Internal (absorbed) dose:
the amount of an environmental agent
or chemotherapeutic agent absorbed by the
organism and available to undergo
metabolism, transport, storage and/or
elimination.
Indraductal
Proliferation (IDP):
a precursor lesion in the DMBA rat
model in which only epithelial cells within
the ducts are affected.
In utero:
in the uterus;
typically refers to events that occur in
the womb before birth.
Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC):
breast cancer that originates in the milk
glands and spreads into surrounding
tissues; accounts for 10-15% of all breast
cancers.
In vitro:
in
an artificial environment; refers to a
process that is studied in a test tube or
culture medium.
In vivo:
studies conducted within a living organism.
Ionizing radiation:
high energy waves; kils and/or retards cell
development and causes gene mutations and
chromosome breaks;
a known cause of breast cancer.
Irradiation:
the use of high energy radiation to kill
cancer cells.
Isoflavones:
substances found in soy products that can
act as weak estrogens; currently being
studied for their prophylactic properties.
Isoform:
a
protein that has the same function as
another protein but which is encoded by a
different gene and may have small
differences in its sequence.
Laser capture
microdissection (LCM):
a method for isolating pure cells from
specific microscopic regions of tissue
sections; useful for collecting selected
cells for DNA,
RNA abd/or protein analyses; does
not alter or damage the morphology or
chemistry of the collected sample or
surrounding cells.
Latency:
time between exposure to a pathogenic
organism, chemical agent or radiation, and
the onset of disease.
Leptin:
a hormone produced by adipose (fat) tissue
which has a role in body weight regulation,
blood cell develop-ment, blood vessel
formation and immune function; plays a
central role in fat metabolism and helps to
control appetite
via the brain's hypothalamus.
Leukocytes:
also called white blood cells; type of
cells that fight infection.
Limit of detection:
the smallest amount (concentration)
that can be detected with reasonable
certainty using a specific analytical
procedure.
Linear dose response:
a type of response in which the risk
of disease changes at the same rate as the
exposure; as the exposure increases, the
risk disease increases proportionately.
Lipophilic:
ability of a chemical compound to dissolve
in fats, oils, lipids and non-polar
solvents.
Lobular carcinoma
in
situ (LCIS):
a non-cancerous overgrowth of cells in
breast lobules; may increase chances for
developing breast cancer in the future.
Local cancer:
a non-invasive cancer that is entirely
confined to the original organ.
Locally advanced cancer:
cancer that has spread to other parts of
the breast and nearby lymph nodes.
Lymphatic system:
tissues and organs that produce,
store and carry leukocytes that fight
infection; system includes the bone marrow,
spleen, thymus, lymph nodes and a network
of thin tubules that carry lymph to all the
tissues in the body.
Lymphomas:
cancers that begin in cells of the
lymphatic (immune) system; Hodgkins and
non-Hodgkins are the two major categories
of lymphoma.
Macrophage:
a type of white blood cell that helps
remove bacteria, viruses and abnormal
cells.
Malignant tumor:
a cancerous growth that can invade
and destroy nearby tissue and spread to
other parts of the body.
Mammary whole mount
preparation:
a procedure in which one or more
rat mammary gland is removed, defatted,
specially stained and mounted for
examination; allows for examination of the
whole mammary.
Mass-spectrometry:
a
laboratory technique for separating ions
(atoms or groups of atoms with a positive
or negative charge) based on their
mass-to-charge ratios; a state of the art
analytical technique used to measure
biomarkers.
Maximum
contaminant level:
the highest level of a contaminant
that USEPA allows; a legally enforceable
standard.
Maximum contaminant level goal:
the level of a contaminant at which
there would be no risk to human health; not
a legally enforceable standard.
Melanoma:
a form of skin cancer that begins in
melanocytes (cells that make the pigment
melanin); usually begins in a mole.
Menarche:
the
first menstrual period.
Metabolic syndrome:
a
group of metabolic risk factors, including
central obesity, blood fat disorders,
insulin resistance and high blood pressure.
Metabolism /digestion:
a
chain of energy-producing chemical
reactions in the body; all energy and
material transformations that occur within
living cells.
These processes are the basis of life,
allowing cells to grow and reproduce,
maintain their structures, and respond to
their environments.
Metabolite:
intermediate or end products of
metabolism.
Metabolome:
the collection of all metabolites in
a biological organism; considered the
compilation of an organism’s gene
expression.
Metabolomics:
the
systematic study of the total metabolite
pool (the metabolome) using nuclear
magnetic resonance profiling.
Metalloproteinases
(or metalloproteases):
enzymes which use a metal in the catalytic
mechanism; some are involved in cancer
progression.
Metaplasia:
abnormal change in cell appearance.
Metastases:
the
spread of cancer from one part of the body
to another.
Mitogen:
a chemical that stimulates cell
division/growth.
Molecule: is
made up of two or more atoms.
Biological molecules (such as
proteins and DNA) are made up of thousands of atoms.
Morphogenesis:
differentiation and growth of
tissues and organs during development.
Morphology:
pertaining to the shape and form
(structure) of an organ, tissue, etc.
Mortality rate:
the number of deaths in a given population
over a specified period of time.
Multifactorial:
referring to multiple factors.
Mutifactorial disorders result from
mutations in multiple genes and frequently
involve exposures to environmental
chemicals.
Multivariate analysis:
analysis of more than one statistical
variable at a time; distinguished from
univariate analyses.
Mutation:
an alteration in a gene that can result in
a damaged, lost or displaced gene; it can
be minor, deleterious or have no effect on
cell function.
NBCC
(National
Breast
Cancer Coalition):
a coalition of grassroots breast
cancer organizations that lobby at the
national, state and local levels for public
policies that impact breast cancer
research, diagnosis and treatment; conduct
educational programs like Project LEAD,
etc.
NCI
(National Cancer Institute):
one
of the National Institutes of Health
established in 1937; supports and conducts
basic and clinical biomedical research and
training addressing cancer-related
diagnosis, treatment, prevention and public
education.
Neoplasia:
abnormal
(can be benign or cancerous) growth of
cells.
NIEHS (National
Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences):
one of the National Institutes of
Health established in 1969; supports and
conducts basic and human research and
training addressing how environmental
exposures, genetic susceptibility and age
interact to affect health and diease.
NIH
(National Institutes of Health):
a part of
the
U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services;
the primary Federal agency responsible for
conducting and supporting medical research;
consists of 27 institutes and centers.
Nucleus:
the most prominent component of a cell
containing hereditary information
(chromosomes).
Nulliparity:
condition of having borne no children.
Odds ratio (OR):
the
ratio of the
odds
of a condition/event occurring in one group
to the odds of it occurring in another
group; OR>1 indicates that the
event/condition is more likely in the first
group; OR<1 indicates that the
condition/event is less likely in the first
group.
Olestra:
a
fat substitute that adds no fat, calories
or cholesterol to products. It was created
by Procter & Gamble in 1968; also known by
its brand name, Olean.
Omega-3 fatty acids:
type of polyunsaturated fatty acids that
are derived from food; found in cold-water
fish (tuna, salmon and mackerel) and in
dark green leafy vegetables, flaxseed oil
and some vegetable oils.
Capable of reducing serum
cholesterol levels.
Examples:
Docosahexaenoic and Eicosapentaenoic acids
– in fish.
Alpha-linolenic
acid – the only omega-3 fatty acid found in vegetable products; most
abundant in canola oil.
Oncogene:
a
gene that normally directs cell growth, but
becomes altered, thereby promoting cancer
growth.
Gene alterations can be inherited,
occur randomly, or can be caused by an
environmental exposure to carcinogens.
Organic pollutants:
See
Persistent organics.
Outcome measure:
the endpoint being
studied; maybe be directly quantifiable or
surrogate measures may be used as an
estimate or index.
Over expression:
excess of a particular
protein; can be caused by an increase in
the number of copies of the gene being
expressed or increasing the binding
strength of the promoter region; may
be related to cancer progression.
Oxidative stress:
physiological stress on the body
that is caused by the cumulative damage
done by free radicals inadequately
neutralized by antioxidants.
It is associated with aging and
cancer development.
Paradigm:
broadly,
a philosophical or theoretical
framework of any kind; the theories, laws,
evidence and generalizations that are used
to formulate research questions and perform
experiments.
Pathogen:
a disease-causing organism.
Pathology:
the study and diagnosis of
disease
through examination of
organs,
tissues,
cells
and
body fluids;
the study of disease processes.
PBBs (polybrominated biphenyls):
industrial chemicals found in
plastics used in a variety of consumer
products to make them difficult to burn,
i.e. used as flame retardants.
PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls):
a group of over 200 industrial chemicals
that were widely used.
In 1974 all PCB production was
banned in the US, but
PCBs continue to be released in the
environment and are found in human tissues
and breast milk.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA):
used to manufacture various non-stick
consumer products, including Teflon
cookware and Gore-Tex clothing.
Persistent Organics -same as POPs
Pesticide:
a chemical used to destroy pests of any
sort; the term includes fungicides,
herbicides and insecticides.
PFC (Perfluorocarbons):
a group of human-made chemicals
composed of carbon and fluorine only;
emitted as by-products of industrial
processes and also used in manufacturing.
Phenotype:
any observed quality of an
organism,
such as its
morphology,
development
or
behavior;
distinguished
from
genotype.
Phthalates:
a class of industrial compounds used
widely as plastic softeners, additives to
perfumes and hairsprays, lubricants, and
wood finishers, among other things.
Physiological:
pertaining to the normal vital
processes of organisms.
Phytoestrogens:
naturally occurring compounds found in
plants, such as soybeans, or plant
products, such as whole grain cereals, that
act like weak estrogens in the body.
Pipet:
a
procedure for exact measurement of fluid.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons:
Polymorphism:
the
quality or character of occurring in
several different forms; genes can be
polymorphic.
POP
(Persistent Organic Pollutants or
Pesticides):
chemical substances that persist in
the environment (do not biodegrade),
bioaccumulate in human and animal tissue,
biomagnify in food chains and pose risks of
causing adverse effects to human health and
the environment.
POPs released in one part of the
world can travel far beyond their source of
origin
via
the atmosphere, oceans and other pathways.
Health effects include cancer,
damage to the nervous system, reproductive
disorders and disruption of the immune
system.
Postnatal:
occurring after birth.
Precocious puberty:
the onset of puberty before the age of
seven in Caucasian girls and before the age
of six in African American girls.
Prevalence:
the total number of cases of a
disease/ condition in a given population at
a point in time.
PRG
(Pink Ribbon Girls):
a
support network for young breast cancer
survivors in Greater Cincinnati.
Progesterone:
a
steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal
glands, brain, ovary and placenta;
involved in the
female
menstrual cycle,
embryogenesis,
pregnancy
and
gestation;
the major naturally occurring human
progestogen.
Progestin:
a
synthetic
progestogen
that has some biological activity similar
to
progesterone.
Prospective study:
a research study design that follows
a cohort forward in time.
Protease:
any
enzyme
that digests proteins by hydrolysis
(reaction with water); any enzyme that
reacts with water to break the peptide
bonds that link amino acids together in the
polypeptide chain.
Proteins:
molecules in the cell that perform a
wide variety of functions, such as
protection support/movement,
transportation, and activation of the
chemical reactions that sustain life (e.g.,
enzymes for digesting food).
Proteomics:
the study of the full set of
proteins (the proteome) encoded by a
genome.
Psychosocial:
refers to an individual’s psychological
development in the context of their social
environment.
The term can be used to describe the
unique internal mental processes that occur
within the individual in response to
her/his interactions with others such as
parents, peers and teachers.
Puberty:
a series of biologic events
that leads to the attainment of adult
stature, maturation of the interaction of
the master glands of the endocrine system
with the ovaries and testes, and the
ability to reproduce.
Putative:
generally
regarded as such, but not definite; for
example, putative carcinogen.
Receptor:
a protein inside or on the surface of the
cell, capable of binding to a specific
substance (such as hormones) and exert
biological actions (cell growth and
differentiation); example: estrogen
receptor (ER).
Reference interval:
a range of laboratory values for a specific
analyte determined to be
normal for specific age and gender
categories; provides relevant comparison
information for interpreting results; the
95% reference interval is most often
reported.
Refractory cancer:
cancer that does not respond to treatment.
Relapse:
the return of cancer after initial
improvement.
Relative risk (RR):
the
ratio
of the
probability
of a condition/event occurring in an
exposed group versus the condition/event
occuring in the control (non-exposed)
group.
RR=1 indicates there is no
difference; RR>1 indicates the risk is
greater among the exposed; and RR<1
indicates the risk is greater among the
control.
Risk factor:
a characteristic that increases the risk of
disease; may be genetic, life style
behaviors, diet, environmental exposures,
etc.
RNA
(riboneucleic
acid):
“reads”
information encoded in DNA and transfers it to a part of the cell that
makes functional proteins.
Secretion:
production of a substance that
differs in its chemical and physical
properties from the cell or gland that
produces the product; intended for use
within the organism, not to be excreted;
the product can be a solid, liquid or
gaseous.
Selenium:
a dietary mineral essential for chemical
reactions in the brain and other parts of
the body.
Sensitive subpopulation:
people who may be more vulnerable to
exposure to an environmental exposure,
whether a biological, physical or chemical
agent; commonly refers to infants and
children, elderly, and people with
compromised immune systems.
Sentinel lymph node:
the first lymph node where cancer spreads.
Signaling:
a complex system of communication
that governs basic cellular activities and
coordinates cell actions; errors in
cellular information processing are
responsible for diseases such as cancer,
autoimmunity and diabetes.
The ability of cells to perceive and
correctly respond to their microenvironment
is critical to development, tissue repair,
immunity and homeostasis.
Somatic mutations:
alterations in the
DNA
that are not transmitted to the offspring;
distinguished from germ line mutations
which can be transmitted to descendents.
Somatomedin:
see insulinlike growth factor (IGF).
Statistical significance:
based on probabilities, the observed
outcome is unlikely to have occurred by
chance alone; statistical evidence of a
difference.
Stress:
disturbance
of physiologic equilibrium.
Stress hormones:
such as cortisol and norepinephrine are
released during periods of high stress; the
hormone regulating system is known as the
endocrine system.
Stromal:
pertaining to the connective tissue
of an organ, gland or other structure.
Susceptible / susceptibility:
a
term used to describe a person(s) who is
more likely to develop a disease; at risk
of disease.
Target population:
particular group of people selected for
study, intervention, education, etc.
T cell:
a type of white blood cell that attacks
damaged cells, including cancer cells.
Telomerase:
an enzyme which mediates the repair
or preservation of terminal sequences of
chromosomes.
Terminal ductal lobular unit (TDLU):
alveolar-lobular stucture which
forms the functional unit of the human
breast; changes with hormonal events such
as puberty, pregnancy and lactation.
Terminal end buds (TEBs):
structures at the tips of invading
primary ducts in the developing mammary
gland.
Testosterone:
a hormone produced primarily by the
testicles that stimulates development of
male secondary sex characteristics as well
as bone and muscle growth; small amounts
are secreted by the ovaries in females.
Thelarche:
the
beginning of breast development in the
female.
Threshold dose response:
a type of response in which, at very
low exposures, there appears to be no
detectable increased risk of disease; there
is a threshold below which no risk is
detected.
Tissue:
a group or layer of cells, such as
the skin, that together performs specific
functions.
Titration:
a
procedure to determine the lowest antibody
concentration needed to produce effective
staining of given structures with minimal
background.
Toxicology:
the study of the effects of physical
and chemical agents on living organisms.
Transcriptional:
relating
to the transfer of genetic information from
one kind of nucleic acid to another; for
example, from
DNA to RNA.
Transgenic:
referring to an organism in which new
DNA
has been introduced into the germ
(reproductive) cells by injecting it into
the nucleus of the ovum.
Tumor:
an abnormal mass of tissue that
results from uncontrolled cell division;
can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant
(cancerous).
Tumor suppressor genes:
or “cell guardians” – genes whose
normal function is to prevent abnormal
cells from dividing; certain mutations in
tumor suppressor genes lead to cancer.
UV:
ultraviolet light.
Vascular:
relating to or including blood
vessels; the
vascular system includes the arteries,
veins and capillaries that carry blood to
and from the heart.
VEGF (vascular
endothelial growth factor):
responsible
for the growth of blood vessels.
Virus:
parasitic microorganisms capable of
causing disease; smaller than a single cell
or bacterium, they cannot reproduce outside
a living organism.
Water
contaminant:
anything found in
water (including microorganisms,
radionuclides, chemicals, minerals, etc.)
which may be harmful to human health.
Inorganic contaminants:
mineral-based compounds such as metals,
nitrates, and asbestos, which are
naturally-occurring in some water, but can
also enter water through human activities.
Organic contaminants are
carbon-based chemicals, such as solvents
and pesticides, which enter water through
cropland runoff, discharge from factories,
and other means.
Whole mounts:
a
preparation in which a sample of tissue
(e.g., the entire breast) is examined for
structure, type and frequency of lesions
and other measurable parameters.
Xenobiotic:
an environmental compound; outside
the body.
Xenografts:
a type of tissue graft in which the
donor and recipient are of different
species.
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