September is the month designated for raising awareness of one of the world’s most prevalent and dangerous cancers: blood cancer.
The month is dedicated to educating the public, supporting those affected by blood cancers, and encouraging research and better treatments for potential cures.
This is also a time to honour patients, survivors, and those who have lost their lives to blood cancers.
What are Blood Cancers?
Blood cancers are many and varied, such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
Leukemia is a cancer that develops when the body makes abnormal blood cells. These leukaemia cells behave differently from healthy blood cells.
Myeloma is cancer that develops from abnormal (cancerous) plasma cells. Normal plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that fight infection. They are made in the bone marrow.
Lymphoma is a cancer that develops when white blood cells become abnormal. Normal lymphocytes fight infection. They are part of the lymphatic system. This is the system that helps protect your body from infection and disease. It is made up of fine tubes connected to groups of small lymph nodes throughout the body.
Odu’s Story (Marketing Manager, mdgroup)
I am a lymphoma blood cancer survivor.
I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma on the 06-January 2020 (my birthday). What a shock, as I am sure many can imagine!
My treatment was swift but brutal, I was a very unwell man for a while. The brutality of R-CHOP chemotherapy took a lot to recover from, even though it killed my cancer.
I am a fortunate survivor, I responded well to treatment. With the love support and guidance of family, friends, and a skilled medical team I am here today in remission, cured to tell my tale.
Read more: The human touch is crucial: Odu’s Cancer Story
Blood Cancer Symptoms
Blood cancers can present with various symptoms, here is a list to be aware of if they persist it is important to seek medical advice.
Fatigue and Weakness, frequent Infections, Easy bruising or bleeding, Unexplained weight loss, Fever or night sweats, Swollen lymph nodes.
Early detection can be crucial for effective treatment. Therefore, if you feel something is not right, it is always worth seeking the opinion of a medical professional.
Blood Cancer Treatments
There are numerous cancer treatments and great breakthroughs are constantly being made to cure and make cancer treatments less evasive and more successful.
A bone marrow or stem cell transplant is one of the most effective treatments for some blood cancers.
Statistic and Support
Globally about 1.24 million people are diagnosed with blood cancers which is about 6% of all cancer diagnoses worldwide.
Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the many active charities that give amazing information and support to anyone dealing with cancer. In 2023 an estimated 2.3 million people were reached by Macmillan services.
Cancer unfortunately is not going away anytime soon. However, there are constant breakthroughs with diagnosis, treatments, and in some instances cures.
Why not consider becoming a Blood Cancer Awareness advocate? Volunteer, share your story, host a coffee morning, or campaign for the cause.
