A glossary of terms covering all aspects of breast and ovarian cancer.
S
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Secondary breast cancer |
Breast cancer that has spread outside the breast area |
| Secondary cytoreduction |
Further surgery to remove ovarian cancer after the initial surgery |
| Sentinel node biopsy |
Removal of the first lymph node(s) in the armpit to which cancer cells are likely to spread from the breast |
| Seroma |
Fluid that collects in or around a scar |
| Sex-cord stromal ovarian cancer |
A type of ovarian cancer that starts in the cells of the ovary that release female hormones |
| Sexually transmitted infection |
An infection that is passed from person to person via sexual activity |
| Social worker |
A health professional who specialises in providing emotional support, counselling and advice about some practical and legal matters |
| Stoma |
An artificially created hole in the abdomen that allows bowel waste (faeces) to leave the body after sections of the bowel have been removed |
| Surgical margin |
The area of healthy looking tissue around the breast cancer removed by surgery; if there are no cancer cells in the surgical margin it is said to be 'clear' |
| Surgical menopause |
Menopause that occurs when a premenopausal woman has both of her ovaries removed |
| Systemic treatment |
Drugs such as chemotherapy or hormonal therapy that treat the whole body to destroy cancer cells |
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Patron: Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia