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FACTS ABOUT BLOOD CANCERS
Understanding Blood Cancers:
● Leukemia is derived from two Greek words meaning “white blood”.
● Leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma are major forms of cancer
involving blood-forming cells.
● These diseases involve an uncontrolled growth of abnormal white blood
cells, predominately in the blood, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.
● Blood cancers are neither contagious nor hereditary.
● Genetic disorders and exposure to some chemicals, radiation & drugs may
increase susceptibility.
In Canada – 2009:
● There are 70,000 people living with blood cancer
● 4,700 Canadians will be diagnosed with leukemia, and 2,500 will die
● 8,110 Canadians will be diagnosed with lymphoma, and 3,310 will die
● 1 in every 58 men and 81 women will develop leukemia in their lifetime
● 1 in every 46 men and 52 women will develop non-Hogkin lymphoma
● Lymphoma is the fifth most common cancer in Canada
● Leukemia & lymphoma account for 52% of all childhood cancers (those
14 years of age & under). Leukemia accounts for 32% and lymphoma
accounts for 12% of all childhood cancers.
In United States – 2008:
● 44,270 new cases of leukemia (most common form of blood cancer in US)
● About 231,400 patients are living with leukemia
● 74,340 new cases of lymphoma (2nd most common form of blood cancer)
● 10,730 children will be diagnosed with cancer
● 5,398 new cases of pediatric leukemia
● #1 cause of cancer among people under 15 years of age is leukemia (33%)
● #3 cause of cancer among people under 15 years of age is lymphoma (8%)
In Asia:
● > 1,000 new cases of blood cancers diagnosed every year in Hong Kong
● In 2007, there are 1,322 new cases of blood cancers in Hong Kong
● There are more than 4 million leukemia patients in China.
● Leukemia accounted for 70% of stem cell transplants
Sources: Canadian Cancer Statistics, National Cancer Institute of Canada, 2004 www.leukemia-lymphoma.org, Hong Kong Government Information & Services Press Release, www.cmdp.com.cn
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