Every three minutes someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with a type of blood cancer

Every three minutes someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with a type of blood cancer, however many people are not very familiar with this group of cancers.

These include leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. More than one-third of blood cancer patients do not survive five years after diagnosis. In recognition of September being Blood Cancer Awareness Month, here is some general information about the largest categories.

Leukemia − According to the Mayo Clinic, this is cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. Leukemia typically originates in bone marrow. In people with leukemia, their bone marrow produces an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells, which don’t function properly. There are several types of leukemia. Some forms of leukemia are more common in children, while others occur in adults.

Lymphoma − The lymphatic system protects us from infection and keeps a healthy balance of fluids in our bodies. Lymphoma can affect parts of the lymphatic system and other organs in the body. The main subtypes of lymphoma are Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Multiple myeloma − This is probably the blood cancer least familiar to people. They may even confuse it with melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer. This is cancer of the plasma cells. In multiple myeloma, the overgrowth of plasma cells in the bone marrow can crowd out normal blood-forming cells, leading to low blood counts. These abnormal plasma cells are not able to produce new antibodies to fight infections.

The National Cancer Institute has helpful information about several categories and types of cancer. For example, it gives prevention information for lung cancer by explaining tobacco smoking is the most important risk factor for lung cancer. People who smoke have about 20 times the risk of lung cancer compared to those who do not smoke. Tobacco smoking causes about 9 out of 10 cases of lung cancer in men and about 8 out of 10 cases of lung cancer in women.

They also have information about screenings recommended for different kinds of cancer. For example, studies show some screening tests for colorectal cancer help find cancer at an early stage and may decrease the number of deaths from the disease. Some screening tests include fecal occult blood test and colonoscopy.

However, when it comes to these blood cancers you will not find information about prevention or regular screenings. National Cancer Institute does not have evidence-based information about screening or prevention for leukemia, lymphoma or multiple myeloma.

In general, the institute reports cigarette smoking and tobacco use, infections and radiation are known to increase the risk of cancer. There are also factors that may affect the risk of cancer based on many years of research. These include the foods we eat and how much, alcohol, physical activity, obesity, diabetes and environmental risks.

As I look through these different types of blood cancers, I think of many loved ones. My cousin Sarah was diagnosed with leukemia and underwent treatments as a little girl. Today, she is mom to a little girl of her own. My husband still bears the scar on his stomach from surgery on his intestines because of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma when he was 16. And I think of his late wife Jaime, who battled multiple myeloma.

When it comes to cancer there are often many unanswered questions. One of the best things we can do is to schedule well visits with our health care providers and get regular screenings.

Today I’ll leave you with this quote from evangelist Dwight L. Moody: “Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man.”

Emily Marrison is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educator and may be reached at 740-622-2265.