» Families Facing Cancer – Helping carers to cope with cancer

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Anne Orchard — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:35:22 +0000

Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It is usually found on the head or neck, but can also appear on other parts of the body. Basal cell carcinoma does not usually metastasise or spread to other areas of the body, but can become invasive as it grows. Treatment for basal cell carcinoma is usually with surgery.

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Benign

Anne Orchard — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:22:56 +0000

A benign growth is one that is self-contained, unlikely to spread and causes few problems other than perhaps due to pressing on other parts of the body. Typically, benign growths are removed by surgery.

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Biopsy

Anne Orchard — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:21:18 +0000

A cancer biopsy is the removal of tissue from the body for testing. It is part of the investigation that a person may undergo to determine if they have cancer. By taking a biopsy, the tissue can be tested to determine if a growth or suspicious area of skin is cancerous (malignant). A cancer biopsy does not normally remove a tumour and if cancerous cells are found further surgery will often be carried out.

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Bisphosphonates

Anne Orchard — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:20:31 +0000

Bisphosphonates are a type of drug which aim to strengthen bones eg in osteoporosis, or where the bones are affected by cancer.

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Breast calcifications

Anne Orchard — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:18:16 +0000

Breast calcifications are small areas of calcium present in the breast which show up on mammograms. These are common and not dangerous. In a few unusual situations further investigation may be needed to make sure there is no problem.

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Breast Thermography

Anne Orchard — Wed, 20 May 2009 07:38:28 +0000

Breast thermography is a way of taking pictures of the heat levels in and around the breast. It is done without any contact with the body. The developers of the testing machinery intend that it can be used to detect abnormalities in the breast tissue at an earlier stage than mammography. It can suggest that a mammogram is needed for more investigation. Breast thermography is only available in a restricted number of locations and privately at this time.

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