What is Blood Cancer?
Blood cancer, also known as hematologic cancer, is a type of cancer that affects the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. It occurs when the body’s normal blood cell production is disrupted and abnormal cells begin to grow and multiply uncontrollably. These abnormal cells can interfere with the body’s ability to fight infection and produce healthy blood cells, leading to a range of symptoms and complications.
There are several types of blood cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Each type of blood cancer is unique and requires specific treatment approaches.
Despite significant advances in medical research and treatment options, blood cancer remains a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. It is essential to understand the causes and risk factors of blood cancer to prevent and detect it early.
Smoking
While smoking is usually associated with lung and mouth cancers, it can likewise cause blood cancer. How? Cigarette smoke contains benzene, a carcinogenic known to cause acute myeloid leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
One can be exposed to benzene in other ways…
Chemical Exposure
In any circumstance, frequent exposure to toxic chemicals is dangerous. Carcinogens like benzene and formaldehyde, which are in use in many industries like rubber manufacturing, oil refineries, and chemical plants, are often linked to a higher risk of developing blood cancer.
Sometimes the risk literally runs in the blood…
Blood Disorders
Certain blood diseases can eventually develop into blood cancers. For example, some cases of myelofibrosis may lead to acute myelogenous leukemia. On the other hand, polycythemia is related to multiple myeloma.
Or, this could come from something you were born with…
Congenital Syndromes
People born with congenital syndromes such as down syndrome, fanconi anemia, and Bloom syndrome are especially vulnerable to blood cancer, particularly various subtypes of leukemia.
Being in bad shape does more harm than you think…
Gender
Men typically have a higher risk of developing blood cancer than women, though that might not always be the case. Physicians have noted that the nodular sclerosis subtype of Hodgkin’s lymphoma is more prevalent among female patients.
There some things that don’t get better with time…
Age
The risk of getting blood cancer increases as you get older. But unlike some types of leukemia that are already seen among children, myeloma and lymphoma occur mostly among adults who are over 40.
The color of your skin might have something to do with your risk, too…
Race
Many studies have noted the racial/ethnic disparities in blood cancer cases. White people and those of Hispanic descent are more likely to develop leukemia and non-Hodgkins lymphoma, while Black people have twice the diagnosis and mortality rates for myeloma.
Certain habits are meant to be broken, and for good reason…
Unhealthy Weight Gain
Dr. Marshall Lichtmann from the University of Rochester Medical Center states in his research that significant annual weight gain between the ages of 25-40 increases the risk of developing chronic myelogenous leukemia. Other studies have also noted the relationship of obesity to non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
Not all heirlooms are worth cherishing…
Family History
Technically speaking, blood cancers aren’t a hereditary disease. But, having someone in your immediate family, like a parent or a sibling, with a previous history of blood cancer might increase the risk for you.
Speaking of past history…
Previous Cancer Treatments
Some treatments can do more harm than good, as patients who have undergone therapies for other cancers might be at high risk of developing blood cancer. Chemotherapy in particular has been singled out to be a great risk factor in causing types of leukemia.
