Join in the conversation this World Cancer Day
Sunday 4th February marks World Cancer Day, a leading international initiative now in its 24th year dedicated to raising awareness and improving education about the many forms of cancer.
There are over 19 million new cases of cancer diagnosed in a year, with 1 in 5 people diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
At Leukaemia & Myeloma Research UK (LMRUK), we’re dedicated to funding vital new research projects to improve knowledge and advance the understanding of the cause, diagnosis and treatments for blood cancer.
To mark World Cancer Day, we’re sharing facts and information about blood cancer to help more people become aware of the common symptoms to look out for in themselves and in loved ones, to help protect the next generation.
Did you know?
- Blood cancer is a type of cancer that affects your blood cells
- The 3 main types of blood cancer are Leukaemia, Myeloma and Lymphoma
- Blood cancer is the 5th most common type of cancer in the UK and the country’s 3rd biggest cancer killer
- There are over 100 types of cancers of the blood, many of which are extremely rare
- Over 240,000 patients are living with blood cancer in the UK
- Our blood is made up of 3 different types of cells; red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets
- Over 40,000 new cases are diagnosed each year
- The most common symptoms include fatigue, fevers and sweats, easy bruising or bleeding, bone pain, weight loss, itchy skin and swollen lymph glands in the neck, groin or armpit
- Treatments include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted molecular therapies and stem cell transplants.
To support critical research in the field of blood cancer, our charity awarded two grants in 2023 worth a total of £57,500 to two projects specialising in blood cancers. This year, we will once again be encouraging researchers to apply for our annual grant scheme in the summer to be in with a chance of receiving vital funding to continue their valuable work.
If you’d like to get involved in World Cancer Day, then use the hashtag #WorldCancerDay on social media to join in the conversation, or visit: www.worldcancerday.org/ for more information.
