According to the Terry Fox Research Institute, blood cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in Canada2. Blood cancer affects people of all ages, and survival rates depend on the type of blood cancer a person is diagnosed with.
There are 137 types of blood cancers and related disorders2. These cancers affect blood cells, bone marrow, lymph nodes and other parts of the lymphatic system. They include leukemias, lymphomas, myelomas, and other, less common blood cancers, like myelodysplastic syndromes.
The Leukemia and lymphopma Society of Canada estimates that someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer every 24 minutes .3
What is blood cancer?
The Canadian Cancer Society describes blood cancer as an umbrella term for cancers affecting the production and function of blood cells4. Most of these cancers start in the bone marrow, where blood is produced. They occur when abnormal blood cells start multiplying out of control, interrupting the function of normal blood cells which fight off infection and produce new blood cells.
In Canada, blood cancers account for almost 10% of all cancer diagnoses4. According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Societ of Canada, leukemia begins when a cell in the bone marrow undergoes a change, then grows and survives better than normal cells. Over time, the leukemia cells crowd out or stop the development of normal cells3.
Lymphoma is a cancer that develops in the part of the body that protects us from disease and infection, called the lymphatic system. Lymphoma begins when an abnormal lymphocyte, a type of white blood cell found in the lymphatic system, reproduces uncontrollably.
Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow that produce antibodies (immunoglobulins) to protect you from disease. Myeloma occurs when a type of immunoglobulin in the bone marrow has reproduced uncontrollably, disrupting normal blood production and the healthy functioning of the immune system.
Servier Canada is committed to cancer research
Servier Canada is proudly joining forces with the cancer community to show our support for Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Improving the lives of patients is one of our core values. This is why we’re dedicated to showing our support this month—and every month—by advancing cancer research for all hard-to-treat cancers.
>> For more information about cancer-oncology at Servier
>> For more information about acute lymphoblastic leukemia at Servier
>> For more information about acute myeloid leukemia at Servier
To learn more about the different associations dedicated to blood cancer
• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada is the largest registered charitable health agency dedicated to supporting the blood cancer community in Canada.
• The Canadian Cancer Society offers a nationwide support system for people with cancer and their family, friends and caregivers.
• Lymphoma Canada‘s mission is to empower patients and the lymphoma community through education, support, advocacy and research.
• Myeloma Canada is the only national charitable organization created by, and for, Canadians impacted by multiple myeloma.
Sources:
1 Servier Canada, https://servier.ca/en/notre-groupe/, extracted on May 8th, 2024.
2 The Terry Fox Research Institute, https://www.tfri.ca/about-cancer/cancer-types/cancer-type/blood, extracted on May 8th, 2024.
3 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, https://www.bloodcancers.ca/news/2024-world-cancer-day, Extracted on May 8th, 2024.
4 Canadian Cancer Society, https://cancer.ca/en/about-us/stories/2020/blood-cancer-in-canada, Extracted on May 8th, 2024.
