Blood Cancers occur when the production and function of the blood cells are affected. Most
of these cancers start in the bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside large bones) where
blood is produced. The stem cells in the bone marrow mature and develop into the three
types of blood cells, the main components that make up the human blood – red blood cells
that carry oxygen to all organs and tissues, white blood cells that fight infections, and
platelets that help the blood to clot.
In most blood cancers, the normal blood cell development process is interrupted by
uncontrolled growth of an abnormal type of blood cell. These abnormal blood cells prevent
the blood from performing many of its functions of either carrying oxygen or fighting
infections or prevent serious bleeding.
There are three main types of Blood Cancers:
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LEUKAEMIA :
A type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It is caused by the rapid production
of abnormal white blood cells. For more information, read Leukaemia
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LYMPHOMA :
A type of cancer that affects the Lymphatic System – the system that removes excess
fluids from the body and produces immune cells called Lymphocytes. For more
information, read Lymphoma
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MYELOMA :
A type of cancer of the plasma cells – a type of white blood cells that produce
disease- and infection-fighting antibodies in the body. For more information, read Myeloma