Glossary — B

Benign describes a growth or condition that is not cancerous. A benign lump does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body, which makes it far less dangerous than a malignant, or cancerous, growth.

A bilateral mastectomy is the surgical removal of both breasts. It may be done to treat cancer present in both breasts, or as a preventive step for women at very high risk, such as those carrying a BRCA gene mutation.

A biopsy is a procedure that removes a small piece of tissue or a few cells from your body so a specialist can look at them under a microscope. It is the most reliable way to find out whether an area of concern is harmless or something that needs treatment.

Bisphosphonates are a family of medications used to slow bone loss in conditions like osteoporosis. They work by reducing the activity of the cells that break down bone, helping your skeleton hold on to more of its strength and lowering the chance of fractures.

Bone density describes how much mineral, mainly calcium, is packed into a given amount of bone. Higher density generally means stronger bones that are less likely to break, while lower density signals that bones have become more fragile.

Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue found inside many of your bones. It is the body's blood-cell factory, producing the red cells that carry oxygen, the white cells that fight infection, and the platelets that help your blood clot.

Bone remodeling is the continuous process in which your body breaks down old bone tissue and replaces it with new tissue. This ongoing renewal keeps your skeleton strong, repairs tiny damage, and helps regulate the supply of minerals like calcium in your blood.

A bone scan is an imaging test that uses a small amount of radioactive tracer to reveal areas where bone is unusually active. It can detect changes such as healing fractures, infection, or the spread of cancer, often earlier than ordinary X-rays.

Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy in which a sealed radioactive source is placed directly inside or very close to the area being treated. This allows a focused dose to reach the target while limiting the radiation that reaches surrounding healthy tissue.

A BRCA gene mutation is an inherited change in one of two genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2, that normally help protect against cancer. When one of these genes is altered, a person's lifetime risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer is higher than average.

Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control and form a tumor. It is one of the most common cancers in women, and when found early it is also one of the most treatable, with many effective options available today.

Breast density describes the proportion of fibrous and glandular tissue compared with fatty tissue in your breasts, as seen on a mammogram. Denser breasts have more of the firmer tissue, which is both a normal variation and a factor that can affect screening.

Breast MRI is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves, rather than X-rays, to create detailed pictures of the breast. It is often used alongside mammography for women at higher risk or when more information is needed about a particular finding.

Breast reconstruction is surgery to rebuild the shape of a breast after a mastectomy or other breast surgery. It can be done using implants, your own tissue, or a combination, and may take place at the same time as the original surgery or later on.

A breast self-exam is a method of checking your own breasts for lumps, changes in size or shape, or other differences. By looking and feeling on a regular basis, you build a sense of what is normal for you, which makes it easier to notice when something seems new or unusual.