Blood cancer: A Growing Burden for the Nation

by Dr Gaurav Dixit DM Clinical Hematology, BMT Physician

Approximately, in 5-10 minutes, this is the time it all takes to listen to a favorite playlist, spot and read an article, choose and order an appetizing dish, and it’s also the time-length that can slip away when an individual is diagnosed with blood cancer.

In terms of population, India is heading right behind China, and since the last decade, cancer is emerging as one of the major public health concern that is evading this growing nation.

Approximately 1.5 million cases are registered each year, and since the last 26 years, cancer cases got doubled.

Thus, the burden of this disease- cancer not just has far-reaching consequences for not just on the individuals but also on the social strata of the country as well.

Talking about blood cancer, in fact, it’s a set of malignancies, devastating the patient’s health as well as wellbeing, which often lead to fatality. However, the brighter side is that cancer cure and treatment are evolving rapidly; several researches and clinical trials are in progress to get promising results.

With a blend of medical expertise and advanced technology, new age treatment, and diagnosis treatment methods are budding; hence, the survival and remission rates are also screening an upward curve.

As per the recent medical breakthroughs, the researchers have identified specific gene mutations, which can be targeted for a speedy, safe, and efficient recovery; in case if the treatment is started in the initial phase.

The studies suggest that globally, India ranks 3rd highest in reported cases of Blood Cancer, affecting more than 70,000 individuals in the country, after the U.S. and China.

Blood cancer is growing like a burden that is transforming into a severe concern for public health administrators in India. Consulting a blood cancer specialist, Dr. Gaurav Dixit can assist you in detecting it at an early stage and getting exposed to optimal treatment.

As cancer initiates in the blood-forming tissues, it starts affecting the body’s immunity system, thus making an easy ingress of the other diseases as well. Majorly there are three types of blood cancers:

Lymphoma,
Leukemia, and
Multiple Myeloma.

Blood cancer is affecting people at an alarming rate, and this could be due to :

Lack of a holistic health system,
Low accessibility to affordable healthcare in rural areas, and
Lack of awareness and education on Blood Cancer.

The survey reveals that a minimum of 30 percent of future cancer might be prevented if necessary precautions are taken at the early stages.

Be it from tobacco sale to its consumption control, from dietary changes to the medical distribution or facilities expansions, the awareness along with the educational programs regarding risks and prevention can do a lot to minimize the ascending number of Blood Cancer in India.