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apoptosis

A type of programmed (normal) cell death. This is the body’s normal way of getting rid of damaged, unneeded or unwanted cells.

aromatase inhibitors

Drugs that help prevent the growth of oestrogen-dependent cancer cells by reducing the amount of oestrogen in a post-menopausal woman’s body.

atypia

Slight changes in the cells of the cervix that could be precancerous abnormalities.

atypical ductal hyperplasia

A non-cancerous condition of the cells in the lining of the milk ducts in the breast.

basal cell

One of the three types of cells that make up the skin’s top layer (epidermis).

basement membrane

The foundation layer of tissue that cells sit on.

genes

The tiny units that govern the way the body’s cells grow and behave. Genes are found in every cell of the body and are inherited from both parents.

brachytherapy

A type of radiation therapy treatment that implants radioactive material sealed in needles or seeds into or near cancerous cells. Also called internal radiation therapy.

cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)

Abnormal changes in the surface layers of the cervix. These changes are not cancer but are precancerous cells. Also called dysplasia.

chemotherapy

The use of cytotoxic drugs to treat cancer by killing cancer cells or slowing their growth. Chemotherapy can also be used to reduce the size of the cancer and help lessen the pain. It may be given in combination with…