The survival rate of cancer patients has increased over the past few years, and it is even better in the case of blood cancers. But these patients still face a lot of complications in their treatment.
When I started my blog, I wrote about living with blood cancer and how I was overcoming it. Now, six years later, I’m still blogging about surviving cancer.
As a patient living with blood cancer, I know the devastating symptoms and side effects that accompany blood cancers.
That’s why I’m not giving up.
As a blogger, I’m writing about life after blood cancer.
I’m sharing how I found the strength to live, even when it seemed impossible.
And I’m speaking for the hundreds of thousands of people facing similar challenges.
Together, we can overcome any obstacle.
And that’s what I’m here to tell you.
Blood cancer is an umbrella term for various blood cell malignancies. The most common blood cancers include acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). These cancers can affect blood cells, including lymphocytes, monocytes, or megakaryocytes (thrombocytes).
The survival rate for blood cancer patients
I remember seeing my doctor’s face fall when he told me I had blood cancer. He looked at me with tears and said, “I’m so sorry.”
I told him I would survive, and I did. But when I think back to that day, I wonder how many other patients haven’t made it.
In 2014, the five-year survival rate for adult patients with blood cancers was 68 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute. That’s down from 82 percent in 2008.
Why are these numbers going down?
In the United States alone, there were about 76,710 new cases of blood cancers in 2018. About 40,720 were acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
While many factors are involved, a major one is the lack of financial resources. The American Cancer Society reported that the average cost of a blood cancer diagnosis is $25,000.
If a patient has insurance, they may not have access to the best treatment options, which is why many cannot receive the same standard of care as others.
It’s heartbreaking to think that many patients will die from this illness, and it’s time we do something about it.
The prognosis for blood cancer patients
When I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the doctors told me I would live until my mid-20s. The prognosis for blood cancer patients is often less than stellar.
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2015, approximately 565,000 Americans were diagnosed with blood cancer.
My case was more severe than most, so I wanted to give an honest look at the prognosis and survival rates of blood cancer patients.
The good news is that blood cancer survival rates are improving. The bad news is that it’s still not good enough.
Treatment methods for blood cancer patients
In 2009, I didn’t know what to expect when I was diagnosed with leukemia. I didn’t understand why my body was breaking down or why I couldn’t eat.
As I began researching, I realized that there was no cure for my particular form of leukemia. However, treatment options were improving every year.
In 2011, I began writing about my journey. Six years later, I’m still writing and still alive.
I write about my experiences as a patient living with blood cancer and how I’m overcoming it.
This helps me reach others who are going through the same thing and help them get through it.
And, as a bonus, I get to travel around the world, meeting amazing people.
Overview of blood cancers
Blood cancer is a type of cancer that affects blood cells. Blood cancers include leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. These cancers affect both adults and children.
Myeloma is rare cancer that primarily affects adults. It is caused by the uncontrolled growth of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the immune system. Lymphoma can start in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, or other organs.
Leukemia is the most common type of blood cancer. Leukemia begins when the body’s stem cells become abnormal and multiply. The abnormal cells are called leukocytes, and they usually develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Cancer can begin in any part of the body, and blood cancers are no exception.
Frequently asked questions About Survival Rate of Blood Cancer
Q: How long does it take to diagnose blood cancer patients?
A: It takes about a month to diagnose blood cancer patients.
Q: What kind of tests are used to diagnose blood cancer patients?
A: Blood cancer patients need to go to a hematology lab and do their blood work. They also need bone marrow biopsies, CT scans, and MRI scans.
Q: How can you tell if someone has blood cancer?
A: If someone has a dark-colored nail, they most likely have blood cancer. Other symptoms include bruising easily, bleeding from any part of the body, feeling exhausted, and feeling cold all of the time.
Q: Can blood cancer be cured?
A: No. The disease cannot be cured.
Q: Is there anything you can do to help prevent blood cancer?
A: You can use sunscreen. Certain drugs may prevent some cases of blood cancer. Also, eating a healthy diet may help you avoid cancer blood.
Top Myths About Survival Rate of Blood Cancer
1. All blood cancers have similar survival rates.
2. The best treatment for all blood cancers is similar.
3. Different types of blood cancer cannot be cured by chemotherapy.
4. If a patient has survived blood cancer, it is always possible to survive the next one.
5. A patient who has survived blood cancer will not develop another.
Conclusion
It means that people with blood cancer live longer than those who don’t.
Of course, a longer life is something to celebrate, but there are some things to consider.
For example, if the chance of surviving a particular type of blood cancer is 30%, it doesn’t mean that 30% of those with it will stay.
It just means that one person out of 3 will survive.
Similarly, if the survival rate for the same type of blood cancer is 60%, it doesn’t mean that 60% of those with it will survive.
It just means that one person out of 2 will survive.
So when we read about the survival rate of blood cancer, we need to consider both the percentage of people who survive and the percentage of people who don’t survive.
