cáncer de mama
/kanθeɾ de mama/from spelling rulesmasculine
In Spanish, breast cancer is said as cáncer de mama.
Meaning: cancer of the breast (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of cáncer (cancer), de (of) and mama (breast).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, specifically in countries such as Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela, the variation Cáncer de seno is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun cáncer is masculine, so it is used with the masculine article el to form el cáncer de mama.
How do you pronounce it?
/kanθeɾ de mama/
Did you know?
- The word cáncer shares the same Latin root as cangrejo, which means 'crab'. This is because ancient physicians thought the veins surrounding a tumor looked like the legs of a crab.
- While cáncer de mama is the medical term, Spanish speakers often use teta for 'breast' in casual conversation, though this word is considered too colloquial for a doctor's office.
- The global 'Pink October' awareness campaign for cáncer de mama is known in Spanish-speaking countries as Octubre Rosa.
Examples in context
- El cáncer de mama es una enfermedad.Breast cancer is a disease.This sentence is useful for defining the condition.Tatoeba #841937 by Shishir, translation #680712 by Source_VOA
- El fumar puede causar cáncer de mama.Smoking can cause breast cancer.This sentence is useful for discussing potential causes.Tatoeba #2725814 by cueyayotl, translation #2725788 by Hybrid
- Me gustaría tomarme un test para cáncer de mamas.I'd like to have a test for breast cancer.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to undergo testing.Tatoeba #1263682 by marcelostockle, translation #281886 by CM
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are talking about a health news report.
- Elena¿Sabías que la detección temprana del cáncer de mama es vital?Did you know that early detection of breast cancer is vital?
- AlejandroSí, es muy importante para mejorar el tratamiento.Yes, it is very important to improve treatment.
- ElenaMuchas mujeres se benefician de los chequeos anuales.Many women benefit from annual checkups.
- AlejandroTienes razón, la prevención es la mejor herramienta.You are right, prevention is the best tool.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “breast cancer” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cáncer, de, mama, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
