cancer predisposition syndromes (CPS), a group of inherited genetic disorders that increase an individual’s risk of developing certain types of cancer. These syndromes are caused by mutations in specific genes, which can be passed down through generations, leading to a higher likelihood of cancer occurrence in affected families.

genetic predisposition, the increased chance of developing a disease based on one’s genetic makeup

healthy lifestyle choices, choices all survivors can make to lead a healthy, safe lifestyle to promote their health and do everything they can to prevent future cancer or health problems (see Chapter 5, Staying Healthy for detailed information)

hereditary health traits, diseases/disorders that tend to run in families; inherited genetic traits which an individual cannot control, such as genetic traits for cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other

mantle radiation, a radiation technique used in 1970s to the 1990s which treated a large area of the neck, chest, armpits and mediastinum (area between the lungs) in order to cover all areas with cancer involvement. This technique is rarely used today in current treatment.

myelodysplastic syndromes, bone marrow abnormalities that are similar to leukemia; a group of disorders caused by blood cells that are poorly formed or don’t work properly

precision medicine, tailoring cancer therapy according to the genetic and molecular characteristics of the specific cancer using genetics testing and molecular biomarkers

proton-beam radiation therapy (also called charged-particle radiation therapy or proton therapy), a relatively new form of radiation therapy that uses high-powered energy from positively charged particles (protons) to treat cancer and some noncancerous tumors. Studies suggest that proton therapy may cause fewer side effects than traditional radiation, since doctors can better control where the proton beams deliver their energy.

retinoblastoma, a malignant tumor of the retina in the eye that occurs in four stages from 0-IV, with Stage 0 having a good outcome with treatment, and Stage IV retinoblastoma with metastases a poor prognosis.

risk factors for second cancer, factors that can influence likelihood of developing a second cancer; includes genetic factors (diseases/disorders that have a tendency to run in families) and more importantly health factors that the individual can control, such as living a healthy lifestyle (not smoking or alcohol consumption, healthy diet, physical activity, and taking precautions and medications)

scatter radiation, radiation that spreads out in different directions from where a radiation beam interacts with tumor site. Scattered radiation has lower energy than the original radiation beam but can still accumulate in the body over time, leading to severe and chronic health conditions.

second cancer, cancer that occurs after treatment (e.g. radiation and/or chemotherapy) for a first (primary) cancer and is a new and different type of cancer, which usually arises in a different organ or tissue from the first (primary) cancer (American Cancer Society, 2024)

subsequent malignancy (also referred to as, second cancer), cancer that occurs after treatment (e.g. radiation and/or chemotherapy) for a first (primary) cancer and is a new and different type of cancer, which usually arises in a different organ or tissue from the first (primary) cancer (American Cancer Society, 2024)

thyroglobulin level (blood test), a blood test used to detect the recurrence of cancer. The thyroglobulin test can be used as a tumor marker when already diagnosed in conjunction with a biopsy of the tumor to make the diagnosis