Blood Cancer Awareness Month in Independent Living for Seniors
Independent living communities for seniors can be filled with residents who are at higher risk for blood cancers. Blood Cancer Awareness Month serves as a way for these communities to become aware of the risks related to these diseases, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Thus, raising awareness in these settings helps seniors understand the importance of regular check-ups and recognizing early symptoms, such as fatigue or unusual bruising.
Educational sessions can help inform residents about prevention, treatment options, and advancements in care. By promoting awareness, independent living for seniors empowers them to take control of their health, seek early intervention, and support one another in navigating the challenges of blood cancer, which can enhance their well-being and their quality of life.
What is Blood Cancer?
Blood cancer affects the cells of your blood. There are also different types of blood cancer, which include leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and myelodysplastic syndromes. That said, the symptoms, treatments, and prognoses are different in each type of blood cancer.
The changes in your DNA within the blood cells significantly affect the disease. This is when blood cells behave abnormally if a mutation or significant change occurs. But this is not a genetic fault you can pass down to your children, as it can happen anytime during a person’s lifetime.
Types of Blood Cancer
As mentioned earlier, different blood cancers can affect the bone marrow and blood cells. The three types of blood cells are white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. White blood cells fight infection and are part of the immune system. Red blood cells carry oxygen to your organs and tissues.
The major types of blood cancers are leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. These cancers may cause your lymphatic system and bone marrow to make blood cells that don’t work correctly. Leukemia can be categorized into four types: acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and chronic myeloid leukemia.
Lymphoma is another type of blood cancer that affects the lymph system, including the thymus gland, lymph nodes, and spleen. There are two types of lymphoma: Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s.
Myeloma is another type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow’s plasma cells. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell responsible for making antibodies. Myeloma can spread through the bone marrow, damaging bones and crowding out healthy blood cells.
Blood Cancer Awareness Month
September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, which is celebrated every year. Due to the risks involved with this disease, advocacy to raise awareness was designated by the U.S. Congress in 2010. Patients affected by blood cancer are supported by Blood Cancer Awareness Month by spreading awareness and raising funds so that research on blood cancer can develop further.
The vulnerability of people in independent living for seniors to this disease can be closely monitored with the participation of family members, caregivers, and medical professionals. Early detection and prevention have always been a challenge, but with the help of supporters of Blood Cancer Awareness Month, this condition can be effectively managed.
Are you looking for excellent senior living in Nebraska? Click here to learn more about Richmont Senior Living!
Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco
