NGO FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH BLOOD AND LYMPHATIC CANCERS
Cancer of all kind both solid and
blood, has remained an enigma in our society with so much myth and
misunderstanding associated with it, in addition to lack or inadequate
diagnostic and treatment facilities in our country. So, it is always a thing of
joy to witness the birth of another organization with the aim of creating more
awareness and join in the war against cancer.
It is for this reason that the
Leukaemia CarePlus Initiative was conceived in 2015 and registered with Corporate Affairs
Commission (CAC) as a non-governmental organization in 2016 with CAC
registration number 89274 with the aim to demystify leukaemia and other blood
and lymphatic cancers and assist-affected patients, live with dignity and
grace.
Our vision is to create a community devoid of the fear of
blood and lymphatic cancers, creating awareness with robust information
dissemination, give care, social support and love to those affected and to source for all modalities of treatment easily
accessible and at low-cost, including stem cell transplantation in fighting
blood cancers to a standstill.
Blood and Lymphatic cancers, also known as
Haematological Malignancies are cancers that affect the blood cells and the
lymph system. The lymphatic system, are the network of organs and channels that
run throughout the body that help the body to fight invasion by foreign bodies.
Blood cancers originate in the bone marrow and
caused excessive and uncontrolled increase in a particular blood cell line such
as the white blood cells (leukaemia) that help to fight infection. They include:
1.
Acute
leukaemia – AML and ALL
2.
Chronic
leukaemia – CML and CLL
3.
Myeloproliferative
disorders
4.
Multiple
myeloma
5.
Myelodysplatic
syndromes etc
The Lymphatic cancers are the Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin
Lymphomas. These are the solid haematological tumours that originate in the
lymph nodes and begin to produce excess cells that grow out of proportion and
then flow into the peripheral blood.
The blood and lymphatic cancers are the 4th
most common cancers in Nigeria and affect both adult and children and people of
all socio-economic strata. Blood cancers
generally are dreaded so much despite constituting about 7-8% of cancers; this
is due to its high mortality rate. It is estimated that only about 1 in 20
blood cancer patients survive the disease. This very high mortality rate can be
attributed to the late presentation of patients to the hospital due the
non-specific nature of the clinical signs and symptoms.
The causes of blood cancers are still generally
unclear but are known to arise due to damage to the genes of the immature stem
cells of the bone marrow. These DNA damage can be caused by radiation energies
(X-rays), exposure to petrochemicals (eg Benzen) and pesticides. Other causes
include alkylating chemotherapeutic drugs, some viral infection and some
congenital malformations.
The main signs and symptoms leukaemia and other
blood cancers are due to the excessive accumulation of the abnormal cells and
thereby supressing the production of other blood cells such as the red blood
cells leading to severe anaemia which will present as generalized body
weakness, exercise intolerance, difficulty with breathing and excessive
sweating. There is also easy bruising and bleeding due to reduced production of
platelets. The abnormal white blood cells are not able to defend the body
against infections leading to recurrent fever, cough and sometimes diarrhoea.
Some patients also present with bone pains and weight loss. This is why most
patients would have been treated for malaria and typhoid fever repeatedly until
it is too late. Those with lymphatic cancers (lymphoma) will generally have
progressive swelling of the lymph nodes usually around the neck and other
lymphoid organs.
Another reason for the high mortality rate
apart from the low index of suspicion is the poor and inadequate diagnostic
facilities and cancer treatment centres in the country. The diagnosis and treatment
of cancers generally are highly capital intensive and treatment most times is continued
for several months or years making it almost impossible for most patients to
afford the treatment. Unfortunately, the national health insurance scheme
(NHIS) covers less than 10% of the population and even the few that are covered
cannot access cancer treatment through the NHIS. Diagnosis is through the
examination of the patient’s blood and bone marrow. Molecular tests, which is
the main stay of diagnosis is in most cases not available in Nigeria.
Treatment is by cycles of combinations of
multiple cytotoxic drugs called chemotherapy and occasionally, radiotherapy for
lymphatic cancers. In most instances, only one radiotherapy machine will be
working in Nigeria serving about 170million people. Leukaemia, particularly in children can be
cured if discovered early and appropriate treatment regimen instituted and
adhered to. Blood and blood product transfusion, invariably is an adjuvant to
treatment and often time, given to support patients on chemotherapy. Stem cell
transplantation is a treatment modality that attempts to replace the patient’s
bone marrow with that of a compatible donor. This markedly increases the cure
rate and improves the chances of survival, but unfortunately, this treatment
modality is presently not available in Nigeria. It’s the vision of the
Leukaemia CarePlus Initiative to work toward the setting up of a bone marrow transplant
centre in Nigeria within the next five years but in the interim shall assist
specific patients to access bone marrow transplant outside the country.
It’s believed that about 5 Nigerian die from
leukaemia every day, and this calls for urgent steps to be taken to address
this calamity. All men and women of good will should join hands with the
government to fight blood cancers and indeed all cancers to a standstill and
support those living with leukaemia and lymphatic cancers to survive with
dignity and grace. Serious advocacy should be taken to the government and
compel them to establish at least six functional cancer treatment centres in
the 6 geo-political zones of the country. The government should expand the NHIS
to make it more universal to alleviate the burdens of patients living with
leukaemia and lymphatic cancers. We also invite the corporate bodies and
companies to support Non-profit organizations who are doing selfless and
thankless services in creating awareness about cancers and supporting people
living with cancer.
Leukaemia CarePlus
Initiative – “Demystifying blood csncer
and assisting affected patients, live with dignity and grace”
Be a donor and volunteer today.
For further information, call: (+234)8096359051,
8075714774, 9036883512 leukaemiacareplusinitiative@yahoo.com,
lekemiacareplusinitiative@gmail.com, komasaint@yahoo.com. Twitter: @comlcpi
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