Lymphoma incidence continues to rise

MEDIA RELEASE
13 September 2010

Lymphoma incidence continues to rise

Wednesday 15 September is World Lymphoma Awareness Day. The Leukaemia & Blood Foundation (LBF), in collaboration with the International Lymphoma Coalition, is working to raise awareness about New Zealand’s sixth most common cancer which is also the most common cancer affecting young adults.

Lymphoma is increasing in incidence globally; an increase which is reflected in New Zealand. There are approximately 800 people every year being diagnosed with the blood cancer in the country.

In addition, youth data from the 2007 New Zealand Ministry of Health, ‘Cancer Registrations and Deaths’ report shows that lymphoma is the most common cancer in 15-24 year olds.

A cancer of the immune system, lymphoma is a little known, but an increasingly prevalent blood cancer. In New Zealand, lymphoma is more common than leukaemia, is more than four times more prevalent than cervical cancer and kills more people than melanoma. Despite this, only a small percentage of New Zealanders have heard of it or know to act on the symptoms of this potentially fatal blood cancer.

Professor Peter Browett, LBF Medical Director, says, “The number of cases of lymphoma has doubled in the last twenty years and there is no clear explanation as to the cause.”

Pru Etcheverry, LBF Executive Director, says, “Having been singled out as a rapidly increasing cancer, lymphoma is a concerning health issue. This steady increase in incidence is projected to rise by more than 10 percent over the next ten years in New Zealand. The prevalence of lymphoma in youth is a concern.”

No matter where in the world young adults with lymphoma live, they face similar challenges. Particularly in this age group, lymphoma can be difficult to diagnose. When young adults present symptoms, it may take a long time for lymphoma to be suspected and it may be initially taken as something less serious.

According to a 2010 Lymphoma Coalition global patient survey, six in ten (60 percent) of young adults with lymphoma received one or more other diagnosis and 98 percent of those were treated before they were told they had lymphoma.

The symptoms of lymphoma can include low energy, persistent unexplained fever, swollen glands, coughing, breathlessness, persistent itching and weight loss. Symptoms can often be misdiagnosed as a cold, flu or fatigue.

In New Zealand, though most people had heard of lymphoma prior to diagnosis, (about 64.5 percent), 90 percent knew little about the disease and almost never connected their symptoms to it.

Etcheverry notes, “The key is for patients and health professionals to be alert to persistent symptoms so that an early diagnosis can be made. With early identification and treatment, the majority of people with lymphoma can be successfully treated.”

On 15 September, World Lymphoma Awareness Day, the LBF is urging New Zealanders to join the national conversation and help raise awareness about lymphoma. Anyone who takes the ‘Know Your Nodes’ quiz on the LBF Facebook page www.facebook.co.nz/LBFNZ goes in the draw for a chance to win a $100 Farmers gift card.

For more information go to: http://www.leukaemia.org.nz

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