September 2023 Is Blood Cancer Awareness Month

What do leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma have in common? They’re all blood cancers. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, more than 1.5 million people today are living with or in remission from blood cancer.

Blood cancers are a complex group of diseases. Advances in treatment are helping more people live longer after diagnosis. But more than a third of people with blood cancer live fewer than 5 years after diagnosis.

If you see red ribbons popping up, it’s because September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month — and for good reason. Every 3 minutes, someone in the United States learns they have a blood cancer.

But what are the symptoms? Can a test reveal whether you have blood cancer before you even have symptoms? Who’s at risk and what should you discuss with a doctor?

Blood Cancer Awareness Month exists so that more people will learn the answers to these questions. You can help by sharing facts and information online and in your community, as well as supporting people who are living with blood cancer.

Once you do get to see the doctor, don’t be surprised if you’re rushed out of the exam room before you get all of your questions answered, according to healthcare staffing agency Staff Care. Studies show that 41% of ophthalmologists spend just 9 to 12 minutes with a patient, and 13- to 16-minute appointments are the norm for 40% of cardiologists, 37% of pediatricians, 35% of urologists, 35% of family physicians, 34% of obstetricians and gynecologists and 30% of otolaryngologists.

It’s not clear exactly what causes a person to develop a blood cancer. In general, the risk of getting cancer increases with age. A family history of blood cancer may also increase your risk.

Leukemia risk factors

Leukemia typically refers to cancers of the white blood cells. White blood cells are a vital part of your immune system. They protect your body from infections and viruses.

When leukemia cells divide rapidly, they can crowd out healthy cells in your bone marrow, such as your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

In addition to older age and having a family history of leukemia, risk factors of leukemia may include:

• exposure to radiation
• treatment with certain chemotherapy drugs
• having had blood cancer in the past
• certain viral infections, such as human T-cell leukemia and Epstein Barr
• Down syndrome and other genetic syndromes
• smoking

Fast facts about leukemia

• Leukemia will affect approximately 1.5% of people in their lifetime.
• It’s the most common cancer in children and teens.
• The 5-year relative survival rate for leukemia in the United States is 65.7% (2012-2018 data).