- Blood Cancer and Power of Stem Cell Donation
- World Lung Cancer day : Why it matters
1. Blood Cancer and Power of Stem Cell Donation
Cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma affect how the body forms blood cells. These cancers often begin in the bone marrow. That is where blood cells are formed. When blood cells fail, the immune system grows weak. The body does not stop bleeding or fights back as it should.
Many blood cancer patients need stem cell transplants to live. Donor cells restore immune function and target cancer cells. Roughly one-third find a match within their family. Most depend on unrelated donors from registries.
But the odds of finding a match vary by ancestry. In the US, people of European descent have a 70 to 80 percent chance of finding a match. For people of Asian, Black, Latino, Indigenous, or mixed ancestry, the odds drop sharply. In India, the match rate is even lower due to the vast genetic diversity and limited donor base. More registered donors from all backgrounds are needed. Without them, thousands are left waiting. What Donation Looks Like Joining a stem cell registry is simple. You provide a cheek swab to test your HLA type. If your tissue type is similar as that of a patient’s, you may be requested to donate.
What You Can Do :
Joining the registry is easy. Donors provide a cheek swab to identify their matching tissue type, and if it matches, you can be called to donate the stem cells using one of the following two methods:
Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Donation (PBSC): An outpatient procedure that takes 4–6 hours, and the stem cells are collected from blood as part of a non-surgical procedure.
Bone Marrow Donation: It is a surgical procedure that lasts 1 to 2 hours and is performed under anesthesia. During this process, bone marrow is collected from the donor’s pelvic bone using a syringe.
Both methods are safe. Donors are not expected to pay for the procedure. These costs are usually taken care of by the registry or patient’s healthcare provider. You Could Be the Match Every few minutes, someone in the world is told they have blood cancer. Many of them need a stem cell transplant to survive.
Whether you live in Mumbai, New York, London, or Nairobi, you could be the person who saves a life.
You can register through organizations like:
Be The Match® (US and global)
DATRI (India)
DKMS (US, Germany, India, UK, Poland, and more)
Anthony Nolan (UK)
Canadian Blood Services
Each new donor brings hope. Especially for patients with rare or mixed ancestry. A Small Step. A Second Chance. It starts with a swab. It could end with a life saved. If you are between 18 and 50, healthy, and willing to help, register today. Your match may be waiting.
2. World Lung Cancer day : Why it matters
Observed on: 1st August every year
Objective: Promote awareness, encourage early detection, and combat the stigma of lung cancer.
Lung cancer is among the most lethal cancers globally. But hardly anyone knows about it. Most cases are diagnosed too late, when treatment is more difficult. And that is where World Lung Cancer Day comes in: it aims to create awareness, encourage early screening, and dispel myths.
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer begins with lung cells growing out of control. This can develop into tumors and metastasize to other areas of the body.
Two broad categories:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Slow-growing and most frequent
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): More aggressive but rarer
- Early lung cancer will not have any apparent symptoms and hence is easy to overlook.
What Causes Lung Cancer?
It’s not only about smoking. There are other concealed risks:
Smoking and secondhand smoke.
- The primary etiology of lung cancer
- Risk is larger with years and pack-years
- Even non-smokers around smokers are at risk
Air Pollution
- Dirty air from vehicles, industries, and cities can slowly harm lungs
Workplace Hazards
- Asbestos, diesel fumes, silica dust, and chemicals like arsenic
- Common in construction, mining, and factory work
Radon Gas
- Natural radioactive gas from soil, can build up in buildings
- Major non-smoking cause of lung cancer
Family History & Genetics
- Risk is higher if close family members had lung cancer
- Some people inherit genes that make them more vulnerable
Early Warning Signs to Watch Out For
Hi, even if they appear insignificant, don’t ignore such symptoms:
- A cough that won’t go away
- Chest pain or tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood
- Sudden weight loss or loss of appetite
- Hoarseness or weak voice
- Feeling very tired
- Frequent lung infections
How Is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?
Physicians use several tests:
- Chest X-ray: Initial step, but not always sufficient
- CT Scan: Provides a clear view of the lungs
- PET-CT Scan: It identifies cancer activity in your body.
- Bronchoscopy: A tiny camera peers into the lungs
- Biopsy: Indicates whether cells are cancerous
- Sputum Test: Checks out mucus for cancer cells.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the cancer type, stage, and your overall health.
1. Surgery:
- Best when caught early, Remove part or all of the lung
2. Chemotherapy:
- Uses medicine to kill cancer cells
3. Radiotherapy:
- Uses targeted radiation to destroy cancer
4. Targeted Therapy:
- Attacks specific cancer genes
5. Immunotherapy:
- Boosts the body’s own defenses
6. Palliative Care:
- Focuses on comfort when cancer is too advanced
New Hope in Lung Cancer Care
- Genetic Testing: Helps find the right treatment
- New Immunotherapies: Boost immune response better
- High-Precision Radiation (SBRT): Targets cancer with less damage to healthy cells
- Minimally Invasive Surgery: Smaller cuts, faster recovery
Final Thought
Lung cancer doesn’t need to take us by surprise. The more we discuss it, screen for it, and treat it early, the more lives we can save. Let’s stand together this World Lung Cancer Day and make awareness so much louder than fear.