Facts About Blood Cancer

Leukemia is the 10th most frequently occurring type of cancer among all races and ethnicities. Blood cancer called leukemia occurs mostly in people above the age of 55 or children below the age of 15. Treatment of blood cancer has come a long way due to modern medical science. Here are a few things you should but probably didn’t know about blood cancers.

1. Understanding Blood Cancer

Blood cancer, also known as haematologic cancer originates in the bone marrow or the lymphatic system. In a patient who has blood cancer, the process of production of the cells is interrupted. This results in the growth of abnormal blood cells which gets out of control. It affects the patient’s immunity and the capacity of fighting infections.

There are 3 main types of blood cancers:

• Leukaemia: This type of blood cancer affects the bone marrow. In this case, the growth of white blood cells in the body gets out of control.
• Lymphoma: This affects the lymphatic systems. Here, the body produces an abnormally high number of lymphocytes
• Myeloma: In this type of blood cancer, the immune system is affected as cancer affects the plasma cells.

1. Most children who get leukaemia survive

Children are more likely to get Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. There are almost 90% chances of children below the age of 15 to survive for 5 years after the treatment. After the 5 years span, the cancer is unlikely to return. For children below the age of 5 years, chances go up to 93%. Dr Advani, an oncologist shares that almost all forms of leukaemia have over 70% chances of surviving for 5 years after the treatment.

1. The early symptoms of blood cancer

People from different age groups are likely to have different types of blood cancer. For people below the age of 24, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia is common. The early symptoms of that include stomach pain and joint pains. People below the age of 50 are more likely to get Myeloid Leukaemia. The prominent symptoms for that are sweating, bruising & bleeding and repeated infections. In patients above the age of 50, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia is very common. Its symptoms include weight loss, fever, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes.

Leukaemia is difficult to detect in the early stages because it shares symptoms with many other diseases. However, some of the common symptoms include:-

• Itchy skin or rashes
• Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin.
• Fever, night sweats or chills
• Coughing and shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue

If you see these symptoms consult the best doctor for blood cancer right away.

1. How to avoid getting blood cancer

Staying away from the factors that can cause blood cancer can help. Say NO to smoking or tobacco in any form. Avoid exposure to radiation and chemicals like pesticides or benzene. A few lifestyle changes like eating healthy, staying active can reduce your risk of getting blood cancer.

1. The foods you should eat in blood cancer

A healthy lifestyle and strong immune system can protect you from not only blood cancers but a lot of other diseases as well. Here are a few food items that the best doctor for blood cancer in Mumbai suggests one should include in their diet to lower their risk of getting blood cancer.

• Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals.
• Whole grains
• Fat-free or low-fat dairy products
• Low-fat proteins like poultry or lean meat the vegetarian/vegan options for this are lentils, chickpeas and green peas.

Switching to healthier oil alternatives like olive oil.