The Common Cancer that Few Understand

This year’s Blood Cancer Awareness Month, observed in September, aims to change that.

“This is Blood Cancer”

Under the banner “This is Blood Cancer,” the effort seeks to improve disease awareness, spotlighting facts such as:

• There are many types of blood cancers, leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, among others.
• They typically start in the bone marrow when abnormal blood cells reproduce uncontrollably. As the numbers of abnormal cells mount, they undermine healthy blood cells’ ability to fight infections.
• These cancers are treatable.

Understanding Access Barriers

The awareness month also highlights barriers to treatment.

Many blood cancer patients struggle to access new and innovative treatments. They often come into conflict with national pricing and reimbursement systems.

Access restrictions sometimes stem from health technology assessments, where health economics organizations are tasked with determining the efficiency and cost effectiveness of new drugs. Their findings can impact the accessibility of new treatments for patients, which is why it’s important for patients with blood cancers and other conditions to share their voices and insights throughout the health technology assessment process.

A blood cancer diagnosis can be a frightening and isolating experience for patients. That’s why, this September, members of the global health care community are banding together to remind patients that they’re not alone.  And advocates are encouraging action from policymakers to make treatments more accessible for the patients who need them.