Glossary
Chapter 12

Angiogenesis	Formation of blood vessels, or capillaries.
Benign	Noncancerous.
Cancer	Group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells into malignant tumors.
Carcinogens	Substances that contribute to the formation of cancers.
Carcinoma in situ	Encapsulated malignant tumor that has not spread.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)	Genetic substance of which genes are made; molecule that bears cell’s genetic code.
Malignant	Cancerous.
Mammogram	Low-dose X rays of the breasts used as a screening technique for the early detection of breast cancer.
Melanoma	Melanoma The most virulent, rapidly spreading form of skin cancer.
Metastasis	The movement of cells from one part of the body to another.
Nitrosamines	Potentially cancer-causing compounds formed when nitrites and nitrates, which are used to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in processed meats, combine with other chemicals in the stomach.
Nonmelanoma skin cancer	Cancer that spreads or grows directly from the original site but does not metastasize to other regions of the body.
Oncogenes	Genes that initiate cell division.
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)	Genetic material that guides the formation of cell proteins.
Sun protection factor (SPF)	Degree of protection offered by ingredients in sunscreen lotion; at least SPF 15 is recommended.
Telomerase	An enzyme that allows cells to reproduce indefinitely.
Telomeres	A strand of molecules at both ends of a chromosome.
Tumor suppressor genes	Genes that deactivate the process of cell division.
Ultraviolet B rays (UVB)	Portion of sunlight that causes sunburn and encourages skin cancers.

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