National Survey of 1,000 Americans Reveals Striking Lack of Knowledge of Major Cancer Killer -The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society launches national education campaign during
Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September -
Blood cancers are the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the US. However, many Americans are unaware of the impact of these cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, which affect the bone marrow, the blood cells, the lymph nodes and other parts of the lymphatic system.
A new survey commissioned by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) reveals more than four in five adults (82%) are surprised that blood cancers are the third leading cancer killer of Americans. Further, nearly four in five adults (78%) are surprised that acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children and young adults under age 20.
While the majority of adults have limited awareness of the blood cancers, leukemia is the most recognized, according to seven in 10 adults (72%) surveyed. Only one quarter of adults (24%) associate lymphoma with being a blood cancer and even fewer, one in eight adults (12%) associate myeloma as a blood cancer.
LLS is the world’s largest voluntary non-profit dedicated to fighting blood cancers, and the leading source of free education and support for blood cancer patients and families. According to Maureen O’Brien Thornton , executive director of LLS Upstate NY/Vermont Chapter, “As there are no means of preventing or screening for most blood cancers, we are focused on finding cures and ensuring that patients have access to lifesaving treatments. During Blood Cancer Awareness Month we drive home the urgent unmet need presented by the blood cancers.”
In fact, the vast majority of those surveyed are surprised there are no means of preventing or screening for most blood cancers (86%), and that more than a third of blood cancer patients still do not survive five years after diagnosis (82%). The impact is significant. More than 1.3 million Americans are living with or in remission from a blood cancer; someone in the US is diagnosed with a blood cancer every three minutes; and someone dies from a blood cancer every nine minutes.
“2017 is shaping up to be a banner year for new blood cancer therapies,” added Thornton. “On August 30, 2017, a revolutionary immunotherapy for leukemia patients received FDA approval, and another for lymphoma is poised for approval. Earlier this year, after four decades with no change in the standard of care for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), one of the most deadly forms of blood cancer, three new therapies were approved by the FDA. In the past four years, new therapies were approved for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and myeloma. We’re closer than ever to cures.”
And advances in the blood cancers are helping patients with other cancers and chronic diseases. In fact, the majority of those surveyed (83%) are surprised that many treatments for other cancers were first approved by the FDA for a blood cancer.
This year, LLS’s Blood Cancer Awareness Month campaign aims to raise awareness by driving home the message, “Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma = Blood Cancer.” The 2017 campaign invites people around the world to join the fight this September through multiple touch points executed throughout LLS’s 56 chapters across the U.S. and in Canada, and on social media using the hashtag #FightBloodCancer.
On Friday, September 22nd, Light The Night Vermont Walk will raise awareness for blood cancer and funds for the Upstate NY/Vermont Chapter of LLS. New this year our Vermont Walk will begin and end at the Edmunds School gym. Participants carry illuminated lanterns – white for survivors, red for supporters and gold lanterns in memory of loved ones lost. For more information about our Walk please visit http://pages.lightthenight.org/uny/Vermont17 or email LLS VT Coordinator [email protected] or call (802) 233-0014.
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