The bowel, also known as ‘colon’ or ‘intestine’, is part of the digestive system (gut). The bowel is made up of the large bowel and small bowel.  The bowel breaks down and digests the food we eat so that nutrients from food can be absorbed by the body. It also processes and removes any leftover waste that the body cannot use. Most cancers of the bowel start in the large bowel. This is why bowel cancer usually refers to cancer of the large bowel. 

The breasts are structures found on the front of the chest. They are found in everyone, but in females, breasts have the function of producing milk after childbirth.  

A group of cells that multiplies or grows uncontrollably. Cancerous cells can invade into nearby areas or spread around the body.

The likelihood or chance of a person developing a certain cancer.

A process where family members of a person with a pathogenic variant are informed and offered genetic testing to see if they have inherited the same pathogenic variant. Both biological males and females can undergo cascade testing.

The basic building block of the human body. The human body is made up of trillions of cells which form all our different organs and body parts. Each cell contains a copy of a person’s genes which tell it how to grow and work normally.

The process by which a person voluntarily confirms their willingness to participate in a research study.

Material found in cells that carries genetic information. DNA is organised into genes. Genes are the instructions for how our body should grow and work normally throughout our lifetime.

A research study where digital technologies are used to communicate and collect information. For PROTECT-C those technologies include our: app, email, study website, virtual meetings (such as Teams), and booking system website.

The fallopian tubes are part of the female reproductive organs. They are tubes connecting the ovaries to the womb on each side. They collect the egg from the ovary and transport it to the womb. Current research suggests that most ovary cancers actually start in the fallopian tubes, and not the ovaries.

A blood-related family member who shares about half of their genetic information with you. This includes a parent, sibling or a child.

A section of DNA is called a gene. Genes are found in cells. Genes are the instructions for how cells in the body should grow and work normally throughout our lifetime. All of us inherit two sets of genes, one from each biological parent. Some genes protect us from cancer and are called ‘cancer genes’. Genetic changes in these cancer genes can stop the gene from working properly. This increases a person’s risk of some types of cancers.

A change in a person’s DNA. Not all genetic changes are harmful, but some genetic changes may cause cells to grow and work differently. Some genetic changes may also change the way a gene works.

This involves checking a person’s DNA to see if there are any genetic changes. Genetic testing is usually done using a sample of saliva (spit) from a person, and testing is performed in a laboratory.

A higher chance or likelihood of developing certain cancers than what is predicted in the average population.

The ovaries are part of the female reproductive organs. They produce and store eggs, and if the egg is fertilised by a sperm, a pregnancy may result. The ovaries also produce sex hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone.

A genetic change in a cancer gene that stops the gene from working properly.  It is also known as a genetic mutation, faulty gene, or genetic alteration. A person that has a pathogenic variant in a cancer gene has an increased risk of some types of cancers, depending on which gene has the pathogenic variant. Likely pathogenic variants are treated in the same way as pathogenic variants.

This refers to medication given to prevent cancer from developing. It differs from medication given to treat cancer.

Cancer screening involves testing people without cancer symptoms, to detect the presence of cancer or precancerous conditions early. The aim is to find cancers earlier when they are easier to treat.

A blood-related family member who shares about one quarter of their genetic information with you. This includes aunts, uncles, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and half-siblings.

A type of genetic change. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (or SNPs; pronounced "snips") are the most common type of genetic change. They occur normally throughout a person’s DNA, and a person can have a few or many of these SNPs. Most SNPs have no effect on health. But, some SNPs may be associated with an increased risk of cancer. Each of these SNPs may increase cancer risk by only a small amount. But if a person has a number of these SNPs, these can add up and increase their overall cancer risk.

A genetic change that occurs in a cancer gene. But, unlike a pathogenic variant, having a VUS is not currently known to increase a person’s risk of cancer. In a small number of people, this VUS could be reclassified in the future to a pathogenic variant which increases the risk of cancer. Monitoring and review of all VUS results in the study will take place every 6 months.

In the PROTECT-C study, this is used to refer to women, trans men, and non-binary people with female reproductive organs (ovaries, fallopian tubes and/or a uterus).

The womb, also known as ‘uterus’, is part of the female reproductive organs. The uterus houses the developing baby when a person is pregnant. The lining of the womb is known as the endometrium. This is shed in the form of a period usually every month. Most womb cancers start in the lining of the womb. This is why womb cancer is often called ‘endometrial cancer’.