| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| (immediate breast reconstruction) |
Breast reconstruction undertaken at the same time as mastectomy. |
| Absolute risk |
The chance of developing a specific disease over a specified time period |
| Adjuvant |
Treatment given in addition to primary (initial) treatment. For breast cancer, the primary treatment is surgery and adjuvant treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapies and targeted therapies |
| Advanced breast cancer |
Breast cancer that has spread outside the breast area |
| Advanced ovarian cancer |
Ovarian cancer that has spread to other areas of the pelvis and to areas or organs outside the pelvis |
| Aesthetic outcome |
an individual’s satisfaction with the appearance of a particular area or part of the body following a procedure (such as breast reconstruction). |
| Aesthetic results |
An individual’s satisfaction with the appearance of a particular area or part of the body following a procedure (such as breast reconstruction). |
| Age-standardised |
Age-standardised rates take into account differences in the age distribution of the population over time. |
| Alkylating agent |
A class of chemotherapy, eg cyclophosphamide |
| Allied healthcare professional |
Allied health professions are clinical health care professions distinct from medicine, dentistry, and nursing; who provide a range of diagnostic, technical, therapeutic and direct patient care and support services. |
| Alternative therapies |
Treatments used instead of conventional treatments |
| Amenorrhea |
Absence of period |
| Anaemia |
A condition in which there are fewer red blood cells in the blood than normal |
| Anaesthetist |
A specialist in practicing in the administration of anaesthetics during surgery or medical procedures, which allows the procedure to be undertaken without causing undue distress or discomfort to the patient. |
| Anthracycline |
A class of chemotherapy, eg epirubicin (Pharmorubicin®), doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) |