World Lymphoma Awareness Day

'95 World Cup rugby star, Chris Rossouw, funny-man Kevin Perkins and Ilse-Mari Hodgskiss of Big Brother SA fame joined forces on Tuesday 11 September for the worldwide lymphoma awareness campaign. All having had lymphoma themselves, they are backing the "I am the voice of lymphoma" initiative which aims to increase awareness and early diagnosis of this dread disease.

Blood cancers, especially lymphoma, aren't always understood or mentioned very often in the media. The lack of knowledge combined with that fact that lymphoma symptoms mimic those of a common flu, appears to have an influence on why this disease is often misdiagnosed and diagnosed at a late stage. This is something these celebs and all the other "I am the voice of lymphoma" participants realise and desperately want to change.

"We need to do more to make the general public aware. Make patients aware, get this early and there can be better prognosis," said Perkins.

Lymphoma is one of the more aggressive and fastest spreading cancers in our modern world, and it is estimated to become the second or third largest cancer by 2025. Over a million people worldwide live with lymphoma, and nearly 1000 people are diagnosed with cancer every day. There appears to be a lack of understanding of this complex cancer, and this leads to diagnosis issues.

Dr Devan Moodley, an oncologist at Wits Oncology Centre, implored patients experiencing lymphoma symptoms to see a doctor with insight. "If you don't get a good answer continue trying a different doctor until you get an answer and the problem is treated." He also pointed out that "this disease is so treatable and beatable. We just need to find the people who have it."

About Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer involving cells of the immune system, called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are the white blood cells that help fight infections. When these lymphocytes undergo a transformation and start multiplying uncontrollably, these cells can form a cancerous tumour . Being diagnosed with lymphoma is not always fatal, but catching it early improves overall survival rate .

Symptoms of lymphoma, and in particular NHL (which is the most common form of lymphoma) are similar to influenza and tuberculosis. People suffering with lymphoma will also feel lethargic and will also have one of more of the following: fever, swollen glands, coughs, night sweats, persistent itching all over the body and unexplained weight loss .

There are two main types of lymphoma - Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). They can be distinguished from each other microscopically, but present very similar and almost identical symptoms .

Lymphoma is often confined to the lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissues, but they can spread to any other types of tissue almost anywhere in the body.

For more information visit:
www.becanceraware.co.za
www.lymphomacoalition.org
Facebook: Be Cancer Aware