Blood Cancer Awareness Month (September)

Posted on September 1st, 2018

Blood cancer is the 3rd biggest cancer killer and 5th most common in the UK. Every 14 minutes, someone is told they have blood cancer. That is 104 people each day. There are three main types of blood cancer; leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. There are several charities which are solely focused on researching blood cancers, some of the more well known are The Anthony Nolan Foundation and Bloodwise.

Leukemia

Leukaemias are cancers that affect your blood cells, mainly your white blood cells and bone marrow. These cells often divide too quickly and don’t develop properly, which compromises your immune system and ability to fight infections. They are four main types of leukemia:

• (AML) Acute myeloid leukemia
• (ALL) Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• (CML) Chronic myeloid leukemia
• (CLL) Chronic lymphocytic leukemia

• There were 9,900 new cases of leukemia in the UK alone in 2015.
• There were 4,712 deaths related to the disease in 2016.
• In 2010/2011, there was a 46% survival rate for those diagnosed to survive over 10 years.
• It is estimated that 12% of cases are preventable.
• 3% of all leukemia diagnosis’ are smoking related.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects your lymphatic system, an important part of your immune system that produces and transports white blood cells around your body. There are two main types; Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

• In 2015, there were 2,110 new cases of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
• 40% of all cases are preventable.
• There is an 80% chance of those diagnosed with the disease living for 10 years or more in England and Wales.
• There were 304 deaths related to Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2016.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

• There were 13,682 new cases of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2015.
• 4,920 people died in 2016 as a result of the disease.
• There is a 63% chance of survival for 10 years of more in England and Wales.
• 3% of all cases are preventable.

Myeloma

Myeloma is a blood cancer that affects a certain type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. These cells are made in your bone marrow and produce antibodies which help fight infection.

• There were 5,540 new cases of myeloma in the UK in 2015.
• 3,079 people died due to myeloma in 2016.
• It is estimated 14% of all cases are preventable.
• 2010/2011 figures show that there was a 33% chance of patients diagnosed surviving for 10 years or more in England and Wales.

Sources:

https://bloodwise.org.uk/fundraising/campaigns/blood-cancer-awareness-month

https://www.anthonynolan.org/patients-and-families/blood-cancers-and-blood-disorders/what-blood-cancer?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-NPoqcvi3AIVGIfVCh2TxAC5EAAYAiAAEgJcEvD_BwE

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/leukaemia