Precancerous (adjective)

Having the potential to develop into cancer.

Origin:

Derived from the prefix 'pre-' meaning 'before' and the word 'cancerous' meaning 'having the qualities of cancer'.

Examples:

1. A biopsy showed that the abnormal cells were precancerous.
2. Smoking is a known risk factor for developing precancerous conditions.
3. The precancerous lesion was removed during a routine screening.
4. It is important to have regular check-ups to detect any precancerous changes early.
5. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help reduce the risk of developing precancerous conditions.