One person in the U.S. is diagnosed with a blood cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma, approximately every four minutes. The American Cancer Society estimates over 47,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with leukemia and over 22,000 will die from this disease in 2013. For lymphoma, they predict over 79,000 new cases this year and that over 21,000 deaths will occur.
Leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are types of cancer that can affect the bone marrow, the blood cells, the lymph nodes and other parts of the lymphatic system.
Dramatic improvements in blood cancer treatments began during the latter parts of the 20th century and are largely the result of chemotherapy. New drugs, along with new uses for established drugs, have greatly improved rates of blood cancer cure and remission. Others, living with some types and stages of cancer, may also benefit from treatment with radiation.
Leukemia is the most common cancer among children. Acute lymphatic leukemia accounts for about 75% of all childhood leukemias.
Unfortunately, most cases of leukemia and lymphoma cannot be prevented. The causes of these diseases have not been identified. That is why we need to continue doing research and provide the necessary funding to do so.
You can do your part by encouraging our political leaders to provide funding for research programs. You can also help out by making a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or to the American Cancer Society.
