September is leukemia, myeloma, and ovarian cancer awareness month. Be sure to subscribe to the Focus On Cancer blog and like the Abramson Cancer Center Facebook page for more information on leukemia, myeloma, and ovarian cancer throughout the entire month.
At a Glance: Leukemia
- Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or blood cells, and is categorized by how quickly they progress and which cells they affect.
- Cigarette smokers are at a higher risk for acute myelogenous leukemia because it increased their exposure to the chemical benzene.
- There are around 44,240 cases of leukemia per year in the United States. It is considered a rare disease and it’s recommended that patients be treated quickly by a medical center with experience with the disease.
At a Glance: Myeloma
- Myeloma cancer affects bone marrow plasma cells, causing low blood count, painful bone lesions and fractures, kidney failure, and an increased risk of infection.
- Multiple myeloma is very rare, with about 14,600 cases a year. It accounts for only 1 percent of all cancers diagnosed in the United States.
- Almost all patients with myeloma are at risk for eventual relapse, making follow up appointments a crucial part of treatment.
At a Glance: Ovarian Cancer
- Women with ovarian cancers rarely show symptoms until the cancers are advanced, making it the 5th most common cause of cancer death in women. 1 in 57 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year.
- Because ovulation stops or occurs less in women who are breastfeeding, pregnancy and breastfeeding are linked to a decreased risk of ovarian cancer.
- The Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center is working to establish an Ovarian Cancer Tumor Center to facilitate the procurement of ovarian tumor tissue at the time of surgery. Cells from the tumor issue can then be used to develop personalized vaccine therapies, which could eventually lead to improved survival and quality of life for women with ovarian cancer.
