Cancer Biology
What type of cells do most breast cancers begin in?
Epithelial cells lining the milk ducts.
Which two genes are most commonly linked to hereditary breast cancer?
BRCA1 and BRCA2.
What imaging test is most commonly used for screening?
Mammogram.
What is a lumpectomy?
Surgical removal of the tumor only.
What is the lifetime risk of breast cancer for U.S. women?
About 1 in 8.
What does HER2-positive mean?
Cancer cells overexpress the HER2 protein that promotes cell growth.
What percent of breast cancers are inherited?
About 5–10%.
What does a BI-RADS 5 score indicate?
Highly suspicious for malignancy.
What is adjuvant therapy?
Treatment given after surgery to reduce recurrence risk.
What is one modifiable risk factor for breast cancer?
Obesity, alcohol use, or lack of exercise.
What is the process where cancer cells spread through blood or lymph?
Metastasis.
What syndrome linked to a TP53 mutation raises breast cancer risk?
Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
What is a biopsy?
A procedure to remove tissue for microscopic cancer testing.
What type of therapy blocks estrogen in hormone-positive cancers?
Hormone (endocrine) therapy.
Which group has the highest mortality rate from breast cancer in the U.S.?
Black women.
What type of receptor fuels hormone-positive breast cancers?
Estrogen and/or progesterone receptors.
What is a germline mutation?
A genetic change inherited from a parent and present in all cells.
Which test is best for dense breast tissue?
MRI or ultrasound.
What drug is a HER2-targeted monoclonal antibody?
Trastuzumab (Herceptin).
What lifestyle habit can lower breast cancer risk?
Regular physical activity.
What is the difference between benign and malignant tumors?
Benign tumors don’t spread; malignant ones invade nearby tissues.
What is genetic counseling used for?
To assess inherited cancer risk and guide testing decisions.
What does “triple-negative” breast cancer lack?
Estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors.
What is precision medicine in cancer care?
Tailoring treatment to genetic and molecular tumor profiles.
What is the recommended screening start age for most women at average risk?
Around 40–45 years old.