• Blood cancers form in bone marrow—the spongy tissue where blood cells are made—or in the lymphatic system, which protects the body from infection. • In 2010, Congress designated September as Blood Cancer Awareness Month. • Read on for 7 things to know about blood cancer during this important month of awareness.
These statistics reveal the toll of blood cancers in the US:
• Nearly 1 in 10 new cancer cases each year is a blood cancer.1 • Leukemia, a type of blood cancer, accounts for 3 in 10 childhood cancers.1 • An estimated 56,840 people will die in 2020 from blood cancers.2 • Blood cancers take too many precious lives each year. The good news is they are treatable, and survival rates have improved in recent years.
• There are several types of blood cancer, also called hematologic cancer. The 3 most common are leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. • Each type is further broken down into subtype— for example, Hodgkin lymphoma, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. • Lymphoma is the most common form of blood cancer, accounting for almost half of annual cases.2 • Leukemia is the second most common type, followed by myeloma.2
• Researchers have successfully developed screening tools for certain cancers, such as mammograms for breast cancer, pap smears for cervical cancer, and PSA blood tests for prostate cancer. • Unfortunately, no screening tests currently exist for blood cancers.
• People don’t usually know something is wrong until they experience symptoms.
• Knowing the warning signs of blood cancer is vital for early detection. • Here are some of the most common symptoms of blood cancer: Fever, chills
Abdominal discomfort
Persistent fatigue, weakness
Headaches
Loss of appetite, nausea
Shortness of breath
Unexplained weight loss
Frequent infections
Night sweats
Itchy skin or skin rash
Bone/joint pain
Swollen lymph nodes
• See a hematologist right away if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
• Treatment for blood cancer depends on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, how the disease has spread, and the person’s general health. • Blood cancer treatments may include: o Stem cell transplantation (bone marrow transplant) o Immunotherapy o Chemotherapy • In general, the earlier cancer is detected, the higher the chances of treatment success.
• Decades of research have led to better treatments and better outcomes for people with blood cancers. • Nearly 88% of people with Hodgkin lymphoma survive five years or longer today, compared to just 40% in the early 1960s.2 • Nearly 67% of people with leukemia survive 5 years or longer today, and nearly 54% of those with myeloma survive 5 years or longer.2 • These outcomes are dramatic improvements from just a few decades ago.
• There are many ways to help people with blood cancer. Here are a few: o Donate: Blood cancer treatments are very expensive. Help people living with blood cancer by donating to organizations like the Leukemia Research Foundation, the International Myeloma Foundation, or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. o Volunteer: Organizations like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society need volunteers to help with things like community outreach. Volunteering is a great way to make a difference and learn new skills. o Become an advocate: Ask your Congress members to increase federal funding for cancer research. Reach out to your local representatives about helping patients access affordable treatments. Participate in a blood cancer walk/run.
• You have the power to make a difference this Blood Cancer Awareness Month.
• Crystal Run Healthcare is a highly accredited New York medical center offering compassionate, personable patient care. Using evidence-based medicine and state-of-the-art technology, our providers help patients with everything from hematology to oncology. • You can easily book an appointment with many Crystal Run Healthcare physicians through the website or contact us if you need additional assistance.