Leukaemia is a cancer of the body’s
blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. Many
types of leukaemia exist. Some forms of leukaemia are more common in children.
Other forms of leukaemia occur mostly in adults. Leukaemia usually involves the
white blood cells. In people with leukaemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal
white blood cells, which do not function properly.
blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. Many
types of leukaemia exist. Some forms of leukaemia are more common in children.
Other forms of leukaemia occur mostly in adults. Leukaemia usually involves the
white blood cells. In people with leukaemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal
white blood cells, which do not function properly.
Signs and
symptoms of leukaemia
symptoms of leukaemia
Leukaemia signs and symptoms
vary, depending on the type of leukaemia. Common leukaemia signs and symptoms
include:
vary, depending on the type of leukaemia. Common leukaemia signs and symptoms
include:
·
Fever or
chills
Fever or
chills
·
Persistent
fatigue, weakness
Persistent
fatigue, weakness
·
Frequent
or severe infections
Frequent
or severe infections
·
Weight
loss
Weight
loss
·
Swollen
lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen
Swollen
lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen
·
Easy
bleeding or bruising
Easy
bleeding or bruising
·
Recurrent
nosebleeds
Recurrent
nosebleeds
·
Tiny red
spots in your skin
Tiny red
spots in your skin
·
Excessive
sweating, especially at night
Excessive
sweating, especially at night
·
Bone pain
or tenderness
Bone pain
or tenderness
Causes of leukaemia
Scientists have not fully
understood the exact causes of leukaemia. It seems to develop from a
combination of genetic and environmental factors. In general, leukaemia is
thought to occur when some blood cells acquire mutations in their DNA.
understood the exact causes of leukaemia. It seems to develop from a
combination of genetic and environmental factors. In general, leukaemia is
thought to occur when some blood cells acquire mutations in their DNA.
Certain abnormalities cause
the cell to grow and divide more rapidly and to continue living when normal
cells would die. Over time, these abnormal cells can crowd out healthy blood cells
in the bone marrow, leading to fewer healthy white blood cells, red blood cells
and platelets, causing the signs and symptoms of leukaemia.
the cell to grow and divide more rapidly and to continue living when normal
cells would die. Over time, these abnormal cells can crowd out healthy blood cells
in the bone marrow, leading to fewer healthy white blood cells, red blood cells
and platelets, causing the signs and symptoms of leukaemia.
The role
of the family in the control of leukaemia
of the family in the control of leukaemia
Family
member should support patients with leukaemia in ensuring that they stick to
their treatment and management process to help them in their recovery process.
member should support patients with leukaemia in ensuring that they stick to
their treatment and management process to help them in their recovery process.
The role
of the community in the control of leukaemia
of the community in the control of leukaemia
Support
programme should be set up by community members to provide support for people
with leukaemia. This support group should include survivors of leukaemia which
will understand what the patients are going through and also to teach them on
how they were able to overcome it.
programme should be set up by community members to provide support for people
with leukaemia. This support group should include survivors of leukaemia which
will understand what the patients are going through and also to teach them on
how they were able to overcome it.
The role of government in the control of leukaemia
Government
should ensure that the hospitals are provided with adequate equipment and
manpower for the management and treatment of leukaemia.
should ensure that the hospitals are provided with adequate equipment and
manpower for the management and treatment of leukaemia.