Leukemia is a very common type of cancer today. It does not choose who to attack: men, women, children, adults, Caucasians, African Americans, Asians, Hispanics; we are all at risk. According to the latest survey conducted, almost 44,000 people will be diagnosed with leukemia in 2010. This is 2011. However, with the advances we have made in health and medicine, the outcome of leukemia looks bright. Now there is a significant increase in the survival rate, just over 50 percent. That might not be a very large number for you, but compared to the 1970s, when they only had a 14 percent chance of survival, 50 percent is almost like being disease free. You do not agree?
Surviving leukemia would largely depend on the severity of the disease at the time it is diagnosed. As can be deduced, an early diagnosis of leukemia would give a better prognosis compared to a late detection. Knowing what symptoms to look for would go a long way in getting you the earliest treatment possible. The following would be the most common symptoms of leukemia:
• Recurrent fever and infections. The reason behind this is that in leukemia, you don’t have mature white blood cells to fight foreign bodies. It does not have a good defense system to protect it from invading viruses.
• Tired. Leukemia is a condition in which there is a massive production of abnormal white blood cells. These cells would take up a lot of space, thus preventing the production of other types of cells. Since the production of red blood cells decreases in the process, the supply of oxygen to your various systems would also be reduced. This is what causes fatigue.
• Easy bruising and / or bleeding. Bleeding, when associated with cancer, is painless. The same goes for bruises. A normal bruise would be tender to the touch. Bruising, related to leukemia, does not cause any pain at all. Platelets, those responsible for clotting, decrease in leukemia. This causes bleeding and bruising.
• Petechiae. They are small, rash-like spots found on the skin. However, unlike rashes, petechiae do not itch. This is caused by the rupture of capillaries and a decrease in the platelet count.
• Bread. All types of cancer have pain. In the case of leukemia, it is a pain in the bones or joints. However, this should not be confused with the symptoms of bone cancer. Pain in bone cancer is caused by compression of the nerves due to tumor growth. In leukemia, pain is caused by the overcrowding of blood cells in the bone marrow.
There are many other symptoms of leukemia, but the one mentioned above would be the most common of all. If you experience any of the above, see your doctor immediately. If you are treated early in the disease, there is a chance that the cancer cells will be eradicated and you will be one of the few survivors who would live to tell your story of fighting death.
