Cancer is among the leading causes of death in America and September highlights the fight against a lesser-known group of cancers.
According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, blood cancer is the third-deadliest form of cancer and “many people don’t know the impact of the blood cancers.” While most have heard of blood cancer, many don’t realize just how deadly it can be. More than a third of United States blood cancer patients do not survive five years after diagnosis.
That’s why September, Blood Cancer Awareness Month, is so important.
There are three types of blood cancer: leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Leukemia is a common form of cancer while lymphoma and myeloma are considered to be rare. There is a new blood cancer diagnosis every three seconds in the United States and more than 1.3 million Americans have blood cancer or are in remission. Blood cancer represents more than 10% of cancer diagnoses each year.
Blood and platelets are among the most needed resources to treat all types of cancer, especially blood cancer. This is because patients need to replace abnormal blood cells with healthy ones – your donations help blood cancer patients immensely! Though donations with Carter BloodCare help patients of all kinds, these donations are always needed to contribute to helping cancer patients.
Leukemia
Leukemia affects the production and function of the blood cells, developed in bone marrow. There are four main types of leukemia, from most common to least common – Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).
Chronic leukemia develops over time and symptoms may take a while to present. While chronic leukemia takes longer to have an effect, it is more difficult to treat. Acute leukemia presents rapidly but is easier to treat. In this type, functionless blood cells build up in the bone marrow and create less room for the bone marrow to generate healthy blood cells. These patients tend to bleed or get infections without transfusions.
Lymphoma
The lymphatic system is your body’s immune system, and lymphoma is cancer of that system. There are two main types, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; each have various subtypes.
Non-Hodgkin’s is the more common type of lymphoma. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is most often diagnosed in younger adults and has a good response to treatment. About three-fourths of all lymphoma patients survive five years after diagnosis.
Myeloma
Myeloma, also commonly referred to as multiple myeloma, can have a waterfall of effects on the body. Myeloma is cancer of a type of your white blood cells called plasma cells. Myeloma is when healthy antibodies turn into abnormal antibodies, weakening the immune system among myriad other problems.
Because myeloma turns healthy antibodies into abnormal ones, myeloma patients are at higher risk of getting any number of illnesses. This is in addition to weakened kidneys and bones, which brings about other health problems.
What can you do?
Cancer patients need regular transfusions of blood and platelets. Help those in need during Blood Cancer Awareness Month by donating and pick up two pairs of donor socks as our September promotional item!