A Look Back on Blood Cancer Awareness Month

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Sep 30, 2019 | Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan

In 2010, the United States Congress designated September as Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Each year, Mayo Clinic treats about 30,000 people with blood diseases. Specialists in hematology at Mayo Clinic are organized by by the following disease-oriented groups:

• Acute Leukemia/Myelodysplasia
• Bone Marrow Transplant
• CAR-T Cell Therapy Program
• Chronic Lymphoproliferative Disorders
• Bleeding Disorders
• Benign Hematology
• Lymphoma
• Myeloma, Amyloidosis, Dysproteinemia
• Myeloproliferative Disorders

From the most common to incredibly rare hematologic diseases, hematology specialists at Mayo Clinic use the latest technology and information to work with you to diagnose your condition. Beyond the diagnosis, specialists work to treat the whole patient.

Mayo Clinic Hematologist, Carrie A. Thompson, M.D., leads a team of providers at Mayo Clinic that address the affects of cancer treatment other than those of the physical.
“Sometimes with chemotherapy, and going through treatment, issues such as how treatment affects day-to-day routines like work and your social well-being get pushed to the side," says Dr. Thompson. "Patients meet with an advance practice provider to discuss how things have gone for them over the past cycles of treatment. The provider and patient also discuss what unmet needs there may be and plans for the future."
Narjust Duma, M.D., is a hematologist at Mayo Clinic as well as a diversity and inclusion champion. Dr. Duma says at Mayo Clinic it is true that the patients' needs do come first.

"We are unique and we need to encourage that. We need to identify those unique things in our patients as well and make sure that everyone is represented. It is important that we respect our patients and all of the differences each one may have.”
"Cancer is an ultimate diagnosis," says Dr. Duma. "When it comes, it affects every family member."
Mayo Clinic continues to lead the way in diagnosis, treatment, and research of rare diseases.

Are you facing a blood cancer or disorder diagnosis? Don't know where to turn? Meet members here on Connect living with similar questions and discover your support network in the Blood Cancers & Disorders group.

More stories & candid conversations from Hematology staff on Connect:

• In the Halls of Hematology: Meet Dr. Warsame
• In the Halls of Hematology: Meet Dr. Kenderian
• Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD): What is it and what are the signs and symptoms?
• Myelodysplastic syndromes treatment: Past, present, and goals for the future
• CAR-T cell therapy: What is it and what does it treat?
• Novel ways to monitor the immune system in lymphoma clinical trials