EVERY two hours a person is diagnosed with lymphoma in Australia and every six hours a patient dies from the cancer, statistics show.
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Despite being the nation’s fifth-most common cancer in adults and third-most common in children, many people know little about the condition, advocates say.
Hunter community members and specialists are working to change that.
They are using today’s World Lymphoma Awareness Day to promote a lime-coloured campaign aimed at increasing knowledge of the condition, and diagnosis and survival rates.
Lymphoma, the term used for cancers of the lymphatic system, has 45 subtypes, the main two being Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
In many cases the cause is unknown, but damage to proteins that control growth and division of cells, a weakened immune system, and viral infections, can play a role.
Cancer Council NSW Hunter North West Region said about 118 people a year were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the Hunter and about 14 with Hodgkin lymphoma.
Lymphoma Australia chief executive officer Sharon Millman said Hunter residents and organisations were leading the way in the green ribbon campaign.
‘‘We see lymphoma as a priority cancer in terms of raising awareness,’’ she said.
‘‘As a consequence of that we hope more Australians are diagnosed early to have better outcomes.’’
Newcastle researchers are among those working towards better outcomes.
Flora Tzelepis, of the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, is a post-doctoral research fellow for the Leukaemia and Cure Cancer Australia foundations.
She and other researchers are reviewing patient care.
A survey of 300 lymphoma patients asks about their perceptions of optimal care, while a second study of 600 lymphoma, leukaemia and myeloid patients reviews the actual care they receive.
Factors considered include physical comfort, information and education.
LYMPHOMA FACTS
Every two hours, a person is diagnosed with lymphoma in Australia and every six hours a patient dies from the cancer.
More than four out of five (83per cent) Australians do not know how common lymphoma is.
Lymphoma is Australia’s fastest-growing and fifth-most prevalent cancer in adults and third-most common cancer in children.
In the Hunter, about 118 people a year are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and about 14 with Hodgkin lymphoma.
Lymphoma refers to cancers of the lymphatic system.
Lymphoma has 45 subtypes. The main two are Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
Hodgkin lymphomas are characterised by the presence of abnormal cells called Reed-Sternberg cells.
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas account for a group of more than 30 cancers that affect the lymphatic system. The cells of each type differ under a microscope and develop and spread differently, for example slowly or aggressively.
Treatment can include chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Symptoms include: often painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin; unexplained weight loss; fevers; night sweats; lack of energy and fatigue; itchy skin; persistent cough.
Sources: Lymphoma Australia; Cancer Council NSW; Leukaemia Foundation Cancer Council NSW Hunter North West Region
Cancer Council helpline 131120
