Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sep 20: The term “blood cancer” can sound like a single, frightening diagnosis, but it refers to a group of different diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. These conditions can affect different cells, behave differently and require different approaches to treatment.

While a blood cancer diagnosis can be serious, some types can be treated successfully, while others can be managed for long periods with modern therapies. However, misinformation often adds unnecessary fear for patients and their families.

“Blood cancer is not one illness. Every patient’s condition, treatment response and prognosis can be different,” said Dr Neema Bhat, MBBS, MD (USA), FAAP (USA), Senior Consultant Hematologist, BMT Physician and Pediatric Oncologist at Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru.

One common misconception is that blood cancer is always fatal. In reality, the outcome depends on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, the patient’s age and overall health, genetic characteristics of the disease and response to treatment. Advances in chemotherapy, targeted medicines, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation and cellular therapies have also expanded treatment options.

Another misconception is that blood cancer is contagious. It cannot be transmitted through touching, sharing food, hugging, kissing or living in the same household. Cancer develops because of changes within cells in the body and is not an infection that spreads through ordinary contact.

Blood cancer does not always produce obvious symptoms either. Depending on the type, patients may experience fatigue, unexplained weight loss, recurrent infections, prolonged fever, night sweats, easy bruising or bleeding, swollen lymph nodes, bone pain or abnormal blood counts. However, these symptoms can also occur in many other conditions. Persistent or unexplained symptoms should therefore be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

There is also a misconception that chemotherapy is the only treatment available. Although chemotherapy remains important for several blood cancers, modern treatment can also involve targeted medicines, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplantation and other specialised therapies. In some cases, doctors may recommend monitoring a patient for a period before starting treatment, depending on the type and behaviour of the disease.

Diet is another area where misinformation is common. There is no evidence that eating sugar itself causes blood cancer or that eliminating sugar from the diet can selectively starve cancer cells and make the disease disappear. Maintaining balanced nutrition is important during treatment, and patients should seek advice from their doctor or an oncology dietitian before making major dietary changes.

A family history of blood cancer also does not mean that a person will definitely develop the disease. Although certain genetic factors can influence the risk of some blood cancers, many cases occur without a clear family history. People with several close relatives affected by blood cancers or unusual patterns of cancer in their family can discuss the matter with their doctor, who may recommend genetic counselling where appropriate.

Patients should also not wait for symptoms to become severe before seeking medical advice. Persistent, unexplained symptoms deserve attention even when they are mild. Medical evaluation may include a physical examination, blood tests, imaging and, when necessary, examination of bone marrow or lymph node tissue, depending on the suspected condition.

“Blood cancer is a group of diseases and misinformation can make an already difficult diagnosis even more frightening,” said Dr Bhat.

Accurate information, timely medical evaluation and appropriate support can help patients and families make informed decisions and navigate treatment with greater clarity.