Glossary
Updated May 2022
A
B
C D E F
G H I J
K L M N
O P Q R
S T U V
W X Y Z
Abnormal: (ab-NOR-mul)
Not normal. Describes a state, condition, or behavior that is unusual or different from what is considered normal. In medicine, an abnormal lesion or growth in or on the body may be benign (not cancer), precancerous or premalignant (likely to become cancer), or malignant (cancer). Also called
atypical. (Source:
NCI)
Actinic Keratosis: (ak-TIH-nik KAYR-uh-TOH-sis)
A thick, scaly patch of skin that may become cancer. It usually forms on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, scalp, back of the hands, or chest. It is most common in people with fair skin. Also called senile keratosis and solar keratosis. (Source:
NCI)
Adenocarcinoma: (A-deh-noh-KAR-sih-NOH-muh)
Cancer that forms in the glandular tissue that lines certain internal organs and makes and releases substances in the body, such as mucus, digestive juices, or other fluids. Most cancers of the breast, pancreas, lung, prostate, colon, esophagus, and stomach are adenocarcinomas. (Source:
NCI)
Adult Safety Net (ASN) Program:
The Adult Safety Net (ASN) Program supplies publicly-purchased vaccine at no cost to enrolled providers. The program was created by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Immunization Unit to increase access to vaccination services in Texas for uninsured adults, thereby raising the immunization coverage levels and improving the health of Texans. Like infants and children, adults are also at risk for contracting vaccine-preventable diseases. In addition to becoming severely ill, infected adults risk spreading these diseases to infants who are too young to be vaccinated. The solution is to vaccinate our adult population to prevent infection with one of these potentially devastating diseases. For more information visit
https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/ASN/.
Adjuvant Therapy: (A-joo-vunt THAYR-uh-pee)
Additional cancer treatment given after the primary treatment to lower the risk that the cancer will come back. Adjuvant therapy may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or biological therapy. (Source:
NCI)
Advance Directive: (ad-VANS duh-REK-tiv)
A legal document that states a person’s wishes about receiving medical care if that person is no longer able to make medical decisions because of a serious illness or injury. An advance directive may also give a person (such as a spouse, relative, or friend) the authority to make medical decisions for another person when that person can no longer make decisions. There are different types of advance directives, including a living will, durable power of attorney (DPA) for healthcare, and do not resuscitate (DNR) orders. In the United States, the laws for advance directives may be different for each state, and each state may allow only certain types of advance directives. (Source:
NCI)
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP):
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) comprises medical and public health experts who develop recommendations on the use of vaccines in the civilian population of the United States. The recommendations stand as public health guidance for safe use of vaccines and related biological products. For more information visit
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/committee/index.html.
Affordable Care Act (ACA): (Source:
healthcare.gov)
The ACA is the comprehensive health care reform law enacted in March 2010 (sometimes known as ACA, PPACA, or "Obamacare"). The law has 3 primary goals:
- Make affordable health insurance available to more people. The law provides consumers with subsidies ("premium tax credits") that lower costs for households with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Note: If your income is above 400% FPL, you may still qualify for the premium tax credit in 2021.
- Expand the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138% of the FPL. (Not all states have expanded their Medicaid programs.)
- Support innovative medical care delivery methods designed to lower the costs of health care generally.
How the health care law protects you: