September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, a campaign which aims to increase understanding of this disease which more than a million people worldwide are diagnosed with each year.

Despite it being the UK’s third biggest cancer killer, one in four people would be unlikely to go to their GP if they had any of the main blood cancer symptoms. In this article, we investigate blood cancer, the signs to look for, the treatments available and what to do if you believe you have received negligent treatment.

What is blood cancer?

There are many types of blood cancer and each has different symptoms, treatments and prognoses. We will focus on the most common – Leukaemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma.

Leukaemia

Leukaemia affects blood cells in the bone marrow – usually the white blood cells. The Leukaemia cells behave and function differently to normal blood cells, impairing the ability to fight infection and the bone marrow’s production of healthy red blood cells and platelets. New Leukaemia research published in August this year showed that less than 1% of Brits are able to identify the four most widely reported symptoms experienced by leukaemia patients prior to diagnosis.

Leukaemia symptoms normally include:

• fatigue,
• breathlessness,
• bruising and,
• bleeding more easily.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma develops when white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control, often dividing in an abnormal way or not dying when they should. The abnormal lymphocytes build up, usually within the lymph nodes in the armpits, neck or groin, however, they can collect in almost any part of the body. There are over 60 types broadly grouped into Hodgkin lymphomas and non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Lymphoma symptoms often include:

• Lumps/painless swellings in neck, collarbone, armpit and groin
• Fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Increased infections
• Itching with no rash

Myeloma

Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells, a type of white blood cell made in the bone marrow. Plasma cells produce antibodies, myeloma causes the body to produce abnormal plasma cells, making it harder for the body to fight off infection.

Myeloma symptoms often include:

• Bone pain
• Recurring infection
• Kidney damage
• Fatigue

Treating blood cancer

There is a range of different treatments for blood cancer. The treatment will depend on the type of blood cancer, the patient’s health and their wishes.

Watch and Wait

Some people with a slow-growing blood cancer may not require treatment straight away. A doctor will monitor the situation with regular check-ups and blood tests when they believe going into active treatment immediately will not benefit the patient. More information on Watch and Wait

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses cell-killing drugs to destroy cancer cells in the body. Often dispensed directly into the vein, the drugs travel around the body via the bloodstream and kill the cancer cells. Chemotherapy can also be given in tablet form, sometimes as a course of treatment or long-term.

Stem Cell Transplant

Stem cells are cells in the early stages of development that are found in the bone marrow. During a stem cell transplant, abnormal stem cells producing cancerous blood cells are destroyed and replaced by new healthy stem cells. This can be achieved either by collecting the patient’s own healthy stem cells and transplanting them where required or by using a donor’s cells.

Immunotherapy

This way of treating blood cancer uses the patient’s own immune system to attack the cancer cells. The process can be triggered by immunotherapy drugs. It works by attaching itself to the cancer cells making it easier for the immune system to find them and attack them.

Targeted Therapies

These work by targeting the genetic changes that cancer cells have, which normal cells don’t. Often called biological therapies, there are many different types which include monoclonal antibodies and cancer growth blockers.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. The rays are aimed at the part of the body which needs treating and damages the cancer cells without pain to the patient. A treatment course often takes place daily and can take several weeks to complete.

What to do if your blood cancer is misdiagnosed

If you, or a loved one, have had your blood cancer misdiagnosed or diagnosed later than it could have been, you may be entitled to make a claim for medical negligence. Our expert team can provide you with sensitive and timely advice to pursue your claim. We will analyse the processes of the medical teams involved and assemble independent medical evidence to support your case.

Our expert team including Partner, Sara Westwood and Chartered Legal Executive Simon Bransby represent around 100 medical negligence cases annually and have more than 35 years of experience attaining the compensation entitled to their clients.

Although significant advances have been made over the years in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, it is sadly one of the most common types of medical negligence claim. If you ever find yourself in this situation our team are here to help you.

Get in touch with us today on 01603 214 220 or email [email protected].