Key Takeaways
- Blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, develop when blood cells grow abnormally in the bone marrow or lymphatic system.
- The three main types of blood cancer affect different blood cells: leukemia affects white blood cells, lymphoma affects lymphocytes, and myeloma affects plasma cells.
- Fatigue, frequent infections, unusual bruising or bleeding, swollen lymph nodes, and unexplained weight loss are among the symptoms patients should not ignore.
- Age, prior cancer treatment, certain genetic factors, and long-term exposure to specific chemicals are among the recognized risk factors for blood cancer.
- Persistent or concerning symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare provider, who can determine whether additional testing or referral to a specialist is appropriate.
- Smart Infusion Therapy Services supports patients managing blood cancer-related needs, such as cancer-related anemia and select immunotherapy infusions, at its outpatient infusion centers in Eau Claire, Wausau, Madison and Onalaska, Wisconsin. Talk to your provider about a referral to get started.
What Does Blood Cancer Awareness Month Highlight?
September is recognized nationally as Blood Cancer Awareness Month, a time set aside to build understanding around leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. These cancers begin when the DNA inside blood cells changes, causing the cells to multiply abnormally and crowd out healthy blood cells that carry oxygen, fight infection, and control bleeding.
Blood cancer is more common than many people realize. According to the Cleveland Clinic, an estimated 1.2 million people in the United States are currently living with or in remission from a blood cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. Awareness efforts like this observance focus on encouraging early evaluation, since blood cancer symptoms often overlap with more common, less serious conditions.
What Are the Common Types of Blood Cancer?
The American Cancer Society groups most blood cancers into three main categories, each starting in a different type of blood cell.
| Blood Cancer Type | Where It Starts | What It Affects |
|---|---|---|
| Leukemia | Bone marrow | Immature white blood cells, which can spill into the bloodstream |
| Lymphoma | Lymphatic system | Lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that fights infection |
| Myeloma | Bone marrow | Plasma cells, which normally produce infection fighting antibodies |
Leukemia is the most common blood cancer overall and the most common childhood cancer. Lymphoma is typically classified as Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and can grow slowly or quickly depending on the subtype. Myeloma develops in plasma cells and can lead to bone damage, kidney problems and a weakened immune system as abnormal cells accumulate in the bone marrow.
Which Symptoms Should Patients Not Ignore?
Blood cancer symptoms can be subtle at first and are frequently mistaken for less serious illnesses. Per the Cleveland Clinic, the most common symptoms include:
- Persistent fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Frequent or recurring infections
Additional symptoms that may point to a blood cancer include bone pain, drenching night sweats, an enlarged liver or spleen, joint pain, persistent fever, unexplained weight loss, and unusual bruising or bleeding. Having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean a person has cancer, but symptoms that last more than a few weeks are worth discussing with a healthcare provider.
What Are the Risk Factors and When Should You Seek Medical Guidance?
Blood cancers are not always preventable, and many people diagnosed have no family history of the disease. Still, several factors are associated with increased risk, including:
- Increasing age
- A prior history of chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Long-term exposure to chemicals such as benzene or formaldehyde
- A personal or family history of certain genetic or autoimmune conditions
- Smoking or long-term secondhand smoke exposure
Anyone experiencing persistent fatigue, unexplained bruising, recurring infections, or swollen lymph nodes should talk with a primary care provider or hematologist, especially if symptoms last several weeks or worsen over time. A simple blood test is often the first step toward an accurate diagnosis.
Why Are Early Detection and Follow-Up Care Important?
Blood cancer outcomes have improved substantially over the past several decades, and many patients respond well to modern treatment approaches, which may include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy depending on the specific diagnosis. Early detection gives patients and their oncology team more treatment options to consider, which is a central reason awareness campaigns emphasize prompt evaluation of concerning symptoms.
For patients already in cancer treatment, ongoing supportive care matters just as much as the primary treatment plan. Cancer-related anemia, for example, is a common complication that can leave patients feeling persistently fatigued and short of breath. Smart Infusion Therapy Services offers iron infusion therapy, including Injectafer, Venofer, and Feraheme, to help manage anemia under a prescribing provider's order. Smart Infusion also provides select immunotherapy infusions, such as Keytruda, for patients whose oncologist has prescribed this treatment as part of their care plan.
How Can Smart Infusion Therapy Services Help?
Understanding the types, symptoms, and risk factors tied to blood cancer is the first step toward catching it early, and Smart Infusion Therapy Services is proud to support Wisconsin patients who have been prescribed certain infusion therapies as part of their cancer care. Whether a patient needs iron infusion therapy for cancer-related anemia or an immunotherapy infusion prescribed by their oncologist, Smart Infusion's outpatient centers in Eau Claire, Wausau, Madison, and Onalaska offer a more comfortable, personal alternative to a hospital infusion suite.
If you or a loved one has been prescribed an infusion as part of a blood cancer treatment plan, talk to your provider about a referral to Smart Infusion Therapy Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first signs of blood cancer?
Early signs often include persistent fatigue, frequent infections, unexplained bruising or bleeding, swollen lymph nodes, and unexplained weight loss. These symptoms can also come from far less serious conditions, so a healthcare provider can help determine the cause.
What is the difference between leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma?
Leukemia starts in the bone marrow and affects immature white blood cells. Lymphoma starts in lymphocytes within the lymphatic system. Myeloma starts in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies. Each type has its own subtypes and treatment approach.
Can blood cancer be prevented?
Most blood cancers cannot be directly prevented, since many risk factors, such as age or genetics, are not modifiable. Avoiding tobacco and limiting exposure to certain industrial chemicals may help lower risk, but early detection through regular checkups remains one of the most effective tools available.
How can I find infusion centers near me for cancer-related anemia or immunotherapy?
Smart Infusion Therapy Services operates outpatient infusion centers in Eau Claire, Wausau, Madison, and Onalaska, Wisconsin. Patients need a referral from their prescribing physician, such as an oncologist or hematologist, to begin treatment.
