The symptoms of blood cancer can easily be mistaken for the flu or general fatigue.
Understanding the Dangerous Disease of Blood Cancer
1. What is Blood Cancer?
Blood cancer (also known as leukemia) is a type of malignant cancer. In this disease, the white blood cells in the patient’s body will increase dramatically. Normally, white blood cells protect the body; however, when they increase drastically, a large number of white blood cells become “aggressive” and harm the body. At this point, the white blood cells will lack “food,” leading to them “consuming” red blood cells. This gradually destroys the red blood cells, resulting in anemia and potentially leading to death.
This is the only type of cancer that does not form a tumor. Currently, the exact causes of the disease have not been fully determined, but it may be due to genetic factors or environmental influences such as chemical pollution, exposure to radiation, etc.
2. Symptoms of Blood Cancer
When blood cancer (leukemia) rapidly develops in the bone marrow, it causes pain and also occupies space, affecting the development of other normal blood cells. Patients may experience the following symptoms:
- Fever, chills, headaches, joint pain… are manifestations of the impact from the “assault” in the marrow.
- Red blood cell deficiency will lead to fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and lack of vitality.
- Non-functioning white blood cells make patients highly susceptible to infections.
- There may be the presence of abnormal lymph nodes in the body.
- Reduced blood clotting ability; patients with blood cancer will easily experience bleeding gums, bruising, and difficulty stopping bleeding from wounds…
- Loss of appetite, weight loss; women may also experience excessive night sweats. A sudden weight loss without external factors may indicate that cells in the body are cancerous, preventing nutrient absorption. In this case, various cancers should not be overlooked, as continuous weight loss indicates poor health.
- Frequent coughing: Various cancers can target the body, and those with weakened immune systems will primarily suffer from respiratory issues. The respiratory system’s metabolic functions can be rapidly destroyed, resulting in the production of a large amount of waste and symptoms such as pus-filled mucus and coughing up blood. If this occurs, cancer cells may be present in the body.
The symptoms of blood cancer can easily be mistaken for general fatigue or flu symptoms. Therefore, we should not be complacent when our bodies exhibit these signs!
3. Causes of Blood Cancer
Scientists have not yet pinpointed the exact causes of blood cancer. Genetic predispositions and environmental factors are considered the main risks that allow the disease to develop and proliferate.
Generally, blood cancer occurs due to mutations in the DNA of certain blood cells. Some unexplained changes in cells may also increase the risk of blood cancer.
Certain abnormal causes lead blood cells to develop, divide rapidly, and survive longer than healthy cells. Cancer cells will overpower healthy cells in the bone marrow, resulting in a decreased number of healthy cells, red blood cells, and platelets, causing the disease symptoms to appear.
4. Treatment Methods
Blood cancer is primarily treated through bone marrow transplantation from a compatible donor. The best matches are usually individuals with the same genetic background as the patient. After replacing the damaged bone marrow, it stimulates the production of red blood cells and suppresses the excessive increase of white blood cells.
However, the success rate of treating blood cancer is very low, at only about 10%. Even if treatment is successful, there remains a high chance of relapse.
In addition to bone marrow transplantation, another treatment method is chemotherapy. This method shows great promise for patients with blood cancer. For lymphoid types, radiation therapy may also be used to prevent cell growth in the brain. Patients who respond well to treatment and have good immunity, adapting well to their environment, may fully recover within 3 to 5 years of treatment.
5. Prevention Methods
To prevent and reduce the risk of blood cancer, the best way is to protect the body from dangerous factors such as toxic chemicals and radiation… Those working in environments with these substances must strictly adhere to safety guidelines. We should minimize exposure to areas contaminated with these harmful substances (factories using chemicals, radioactive soil areas…). Additionally, in daily life, when using products like dish soap, floor cleaning solutions, and cosmetics, try to choose natural products that are as body-friendly as possible!
