WHAT IS BLOOD CANCER?
Your blood is made up of different cell types including red blood cells for carrying oxygen, platelets to help blood clot and white blood cells that fight infections. They all originally come from stem cells, which have the potential to develop into any type of blood cell as they divide and mature. Problems in this process, known as ‘differentiation’, are at the root of all blood cancers. Different types of blood cancer depend on when and how these problems occur.
These problems often lead to your body producing large numbers of immature blood cells that can’t perform their job properly. They can also ‘clog up’ your bone marrow, which prevents other types of blood cells from doing their job too.
Unfortunately, blood cancer affects a large number of people. Every 40 seconds, someone in India is told they have blood cancer. That’s 2160 people a day. So you are certainly not alone.
Blood cancers are categorised into three groups. We have gathered information on some of the more common examples of each group so you can learn more about your circumstance. We also link to organisations that offer additional advice and support.
Leukaemia
The what are my treatment options? section looks at other possible ways that your medical team might decide to treat your cancer - either before or instead of a stem cell transplant.
