Blood Cancer Awareness Week 2019

Blood Cancer Awareness Week 11 – 17 November
1 Kiwi is diagnosed with a blood cancer every 4 hours

Blood cancer symptoms can be vague and difficult to spot. It is important for everyone to recognise the early warning signs that prompt a GP visit. Symptoms usually appear as a cluster, spotting them and discussing your concerns with a doctor may assist in early diagnosis and more immediate treatment.

What are the symptoms?

• Persistent fatigue
• Regular & frequent fevers
• Unusual bleeding/bruising
• Unexplained weight loss
• Repeat Infections
• Itchy skin
• Anaemia (tired, weak, dizzy)
• Bone pain
• Excessive night sweats
• Swollen lymph nodes

If you have have any of these symptoms, and they are unexplained and persistent, it’s time to visit your GP. It could be a sign of something more serious like blood cancer. Remember that most of the time (but not always) people experience a few of these symptoms at once. If you are concerned, contact your GP.

Help spread the word about Blood Cancer Awareness Week and print out this downloadable A3 poster to display.

Join our Facebook page @LBCNZ for blood cancer news and podcasts. Learn about the latest research and developments in the blood cancer space and some amazing fundraising events near you.

What are blood cancers?

• The most common forms of blood cancer are leukaemia, myeloma and lymphoma. Learn more about them here.
• Leukaemia is the name given to a group of cancers that develop in the bone marrow. It affects people of all ages, learn more.
• Lymphoma is the general term for a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, learn more
• Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells, learn more

Key facts at a glance

• New Zealand is the number one in the world for leukaemia new diagnoses per head of population.
• Based on Ministry of Health data close to 21,000 people are living with a blood cancer in New Zealand.
• Every day, 6 kiwis are diagnosed with a blood cancer, that’s one person every four hours.
• Blood cancers combined are the fifth most common form of cancer in New Zealand
• Leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer, while lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in 15 – 24 year-olds.
• Blood cancers (combined data) are the fifth most common group of cancer that affects all age groups in this country AND the second-highest mortality rates just behind lung cancer.

About Us
Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC) is the national charity dedicated to supporting patients and their families living with blood cancers. LBC receives no direct government funding and relies on fundraising and donations. If you would like to show your support donate here.