In the News Blood Cancer Awareness Month – Part I

Blood Cancer Awareness Month has been helping to raise awareness of blood cancer since 2010, but when asked in a recent survey only 1 in 3 adults remember blood cancer when asked to name a type of cancer.

During the month of September advocates help to build an understanding and recognition of blood cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and the many other subtypes of blood cancer.

Everyday children and adults are diagnosed with blood cancer. The cause of blood cancers is unknown. These diseases can strike anyone, of any age, at any time, without warning. Immediate treatment may be necessary, and that treatment can go on for months or even years.

Here we discuss three common types of blood cancers.

Leukemia –

Leukemia is the name given to a group of cancers that develop in the bone marrow. Under normal conditions the bone marrow contains a small number of healthy, immature blood cells, sometimes called blast cells. These immature blood cells mature and develop into red cells, white cells and platelets, which are eventually released into the blood stream. Leukemia originates in developing blood cells which have undergone a change. Instead of mature properly, these cells grow and multiply in an uncontrolled fashion and interfere with normal blood cell production in the bone marrow. 

There are several different types of leukemia. And while both children and adults can develop leukemia, certain types are common in different age groups.

(continued in Part II…)