Glossary

Some of those medical terms people use at you.

Cancer

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. There are many types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, and leukemia. The growths often form solid tumors that destroy healthy tissue. Cancers can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. Treatment can include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. The exact cause of cancer is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

MRI (IRM in French)

An MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is a medical scan that uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of organs, bones, and other structures inside the body. It doesn't use radiation, unlike some other types of scans. MRIs have been used in sports medicine, stroke detection, and general health checks. Think of it as a 3d x-ray.

We refer to it as "the atomic donut".

Prostate

The prostate is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It's about the size and shape of a walnut. The prostate's main function is to produce a fluid that, together with sperm cells from the testicles and fluids from other glands, makes up semen. This fluid nourishes and protects the sperm, helping it to survive and facilitating fertilization.

PSA

PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, is a protein produced by the prostate gland. A small amount of PSA is normally released into the bloodstream. However, when the prostate gland is enlarged or inflamed, or when prostate cancer is present, more PSA is often released, which can be detected in a blood test. A high PSA level may indicate a problem with the prostate and may lead to further testing, such as a biopsy. However, a high PSA level does not necessarily mean cancer is present, as other conditions can also cause an elevated PSA level.

The acceptable level of PSA is under 4 nanograms per millilitre.

Scintigraph

Scintigraphy (from Latin scintilla, "spark"), also known as a gamma scan, is a diagnostic test in nuclear medicine, where radioisotopes attached to drugs that travel to a specific organ or tissue (radiopharmaceuticals) are taken internally and the emitted gamma radiation is captured by gamma cameras, which are external detectors that form two-dimensional images in a process similar to the capture of x-ray images. (Wikipedia).