WORLD LYMPHOMA AWARENESS DAY | 2021
Apologies for the long post but it seems an appropriate time to share something. This post is not art related , but please take the time to read ... I don’t tend to share anything personal, but this is rather close to my heart.
I am currently 2 years post treatment from Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) & FL (Follicular Lymphoma)
September is Blood Cancer Awareness month.
Today is World Lymphoma Awareness Day (WLAD) It is a day dedicated to raising awareness of Lymphoma.
Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops when white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control.
Around the world, more than 735,000 people are diagnosed with Lymphoma.
The Stats
| Every 14 mins someone is diagnosed with a Blood Cancer. More than 40,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with blood cancer every year. It’s the UK’s third biggest cause of cancer deaths and kills more people than either breast or prostate cancers |
| Every 27 minutes someone is diagnosed with Lymphoma. There are more than 30 types of lymphoma |
| 39% of UK adults had at least one symptom that could have been blood cancer in the last year, but didn’t see a doctor |
Blood cancer is the UK’s third biggest cancer killer, and every year about 15,000 people die of it.
Overall, the five-year survival rate for blood cancer is 70%. That means someone diagnosed with blood cancer is only 70% as likely to be alive in five years as someone their age who doesn’t have cancer.
But while 70% is an overall average for all types of blood cancer, different types have very different survival rates.
The Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of lymphoma can often be mistaken for other less serious illnesses, like the flu or Covid (& other infections) This is because as lymphomas progress, the body loses its ability to fight infection.
Many patients delay going to the doctor because they do not realise they have cancer.
It is important to go to the doctors with any concerns.
The most common symptom is painless swelling in a lymph node. E.g neck, armpits, abdomen or groin (may cause swelling in the legs or ankles)
Other Symptoms
• Chills temperature swings
• Recurrent fever
• Excessive sweating, often at night
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Persistent tiredness and lack of energy
• Breathlessness a& coughing
• Fatigue
• Enlarged tonsils
• Headache
• Persistent itch all over the body without a rash
Less Common Symptoms
• Pain in the lymph nodes after drinking alcohol.
• Fluid may build up causing swelling near the intestines, potentially leading to sensations of abdominal pressure, pain, diarrhoea and/or indigestion.
• Swelling of an arm or leg by pressing against a vein
• Pain, numbness, or tingling in an arm or leg
• Lower back pain, which may be caused by expanding lymph nodes pressing on nerves
Support & Advice
@lymphoma_action
@bloodcancer_uk
@lymphomacoalition
I have created a Tattoo Flash design, which can be purchased here
| ALL the proceeds from sale of this design will be donated to Blood Cancer UK | The UK's leading blood cancer research charity |
To find out more, head to Blood Cancer UK
So Much Love to all affected by Lymphoma.
Thankyou to the NHS & my medical team for ongoing support during my 4 month check ups.
Donate
You can also donate to a blood cancer charity here
Thanks
Thank you for reading this. My love & wishes go out to anyone else who is going through cancer treatment at this time. Stay strong x
Inky love x
Dionne
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