Cancer Information and Resources

ACAPHA : A mixture of six herbs that has been used in China to prevent and treat diseases such as lung and esophageal cancers. It is being studied in the United States and Canada in the prevention of lung cancer in people who used to smoke..

AC regimen :An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used with other types of therapy to treat breast cancer, including breast cancer that has spread or come back..It includes the drugs doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin) and cyclophosphamide..Also called AC..

ABT-888 :A substance being studied in the treatment of breast cancers caused by mutations (changes) in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes..It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It blocks an enzyme involved in many functions of the cell, including the repair of DNA damage..DNA damage may be caused by normal cell actions, UV light, some anticancer drugs, and radiation used to treat cancer..ABT-888 may cause cancer cells to die..It is a type of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor..Also called PARP-1 inhibitor ABT-888

A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer detection or therapy..Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to cancer cells.

aberrant crypt foci:Clusters of abnormal tube-like glands in the lining of the colon and rectum. Aberrant crypt foci form before colorectal polyps and are one of the earliest changes that can be seen in the colon that may lead to cancer. Also called ACF

Definition of breast Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare..
Estimated new cases and deaths from breast cancer in the United States in 2009:
New cases: 192,370 (female); 1,910 (male)
Deaths: 40,170 (female); 440 (male)
See the online booklet What You Need To Know About™ Breast Cancer to learn about breast cancer symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and questions to ask the doctor.
For an overview of research advances, see Cancer Advances In Focus: Breast Cancer.